Back in November it was rumored that AMC had ordered a pilot for a potential new TV series based on the hit comic book Preacher from writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, and that comedy tag team Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg were involved in the project.
This news has now been confirmed, as it’s being reported that Rogen and Goldberg are in fact officially adapting Preacher for AMC, and that Breaking Bad executive producer, writer, and director Sam Catlin will act as the series showrunner.
In addition to writing, Rogen and Goldberg will also executive produce the series along with Catlin, Neal Moritz, Vivian Cannon, Ori Marmur, Ken Levin, and Jason Netter.
Of the news, Rogen and Goldberg released a joint statement saying:
“This is amazing! We’ve tried for seven years to work on Preacher and we’re so psyched AMC is finally letting us. It is our favorite comic of all time, and we’re going to do everything we can to do it right. Humperdoo!”
Ennis also released a statement, saying:
“Steve Dillon and I are very happy to see Preacher being developed for TV, which seems a much more natural home for the story than a two-hour movie. Between them, Sony TV and AMC have brought viewers two of my favorite shows with Breaking Bad and Mad Men, and it’s exactly that kind of creative commitment and courage that Preacher needs. Obviously it’s taken a while, but Ken Levin along with Neal Moritz and his team refused to give up, long after the point when I myself grew skeptical, and their unrelenting enthusiasm for the project has gotten us where we need to be. I’m particularly impressed that Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Sam Catlin understand Preacher fully — meaning they get it for what it is, not some vague approximation. All in all, it looks like Preacher can now be brought to TV in a way that I’d previously not have thought possible, and I very much appreciate that Steve and I have been included in the conversation in the way that we have.”
Attempts at bringing Preacher to life on both the big and small screens have been made for years now—including on HBO, who ultimately decided it was “too dark and too violent and too controversial” for them…believe it or not (this was eight years ago, and obviously they’re not the same now as they were then)—without any success.
AMC obviously hopes to replicate the success of their other comic book adaptation, The Walking Dead, which is one of the tops shows on TV and continues to grow in popularity in the middle of its fourth season.
We’ve seen just how violent things can get on AMC, but the question is, can they show enough to pull off a Preacher series faithful enough to satisfy the many fans who have been wanting to see this for years, especially knowing HBO once said the source material was just too much?
[Source: Live Feed]
I don’t know whether to wince or clap yet. Preacher is such a huge undertaking… I was always on the fence about the comics, because while I liked the basic plot, it got WAY too graphic about a lot of really squicky things in my opinion. There was not enough brain bleach in the WORLD for some of it. I hope they gloss over some of that and focus on the epic fights and twisty plots more.
Comment by Sage Allen — February 6, 2014 @ 6:28 pm
Give it to me all over my face, neck and chest
Comment by Michael Bristow — February 6, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
I never read the comic book. This seems interesting though.
Comment by APL — February 6, 2014 @ 7:41 pm
As long as Seth Rogen is not going to star in it as well as produce then I’m excited. Nothing against Seth — he’s done some great work as an actor — but let’s not forget the Green Hornet debacle. In order for this to work they need to get the tone of the series right.
Comment by Hugomarink — February 7, 2014 @ 3:27 pm
As long as they have an Irish actor lined up for Cassidy, that’s all that matters. I don’t trust anyone but a Dubliner to get that accent right! Aidan Gillen would be perfect if he’s not still tied up with GOT.
Comment by Loreana — February 8, 2014 @ 6:29 pm