No ‘Preacher’ for HBO — Who Will Keep the Faith?
August 27, 2008
Filed under: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Celebrities and Controversy, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Religious, Western
It really seemed like we were finally going to get Garth Ennis’ Preacher this time — the dark, funny, and controversial comic book series seemed perfect for HBO. Isn’t that what they do, after all?
Apparently not. Mark Steven Johnson told Comics Continuum that they’ve passed on the series. “We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going. But the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point! It was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, almost word for word. They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I’ve learned my lesson on that front and I won’t do it again. So I’m afraid it’s dead at HBO.”
But, Johnson says that he’s heard that someone is trying to obtain the rights for a massive screen adaptation, and that he hopes it happens — and that whoever nabs it can do the stories justice in a series of films. “Someone” doesn’t narrow it down much, but shall we let our imaginations run wild? Frankly, in this world where the legendarily un-filmable (Lord of the Rings, Watchmen) is being made every day, I can’t believe Preacher remains untouched. Isn’t every studio dying for its own mature comic franchise? Isn’t there a daring young filmmaker who’s just dying to be boycotted, picketed, and harassed? Aren’t we constantly hearing that all publicity, no matter how bad and hysterical, is desirable? Let’s put it to the test. Whoever that “someone” is that’s angling for the rights, may they succeed, and get Preacher on the huge screen.
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