AMC's "Preacher" (Season 3)

[bainbridge's_stache]

With the loss of Breaking Bad and soon Mad Men, AMC is looking at a big hole in their schedule, one that shows like The Killing and Low Winter Sun haven't quite been able to fill. While they have the ratings juggernaut that is The Walking Dead, they still need something that will be a buzz show, that will get a ton of attention and make a cultural impact. They're betting that show will be Preacher.

Sources tell me that the network has ordered a pilot based on the classic Vertigo comic by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. In the comic Jesse Custer is a small town preacher who is torn by booze and sin and who finds himself the vessel for a strange entity - the child of a mating between an angel and a demon. Filled with immense power, including The Word of God, which makes anyone do whatever he says, Jesse goes hunting for the Lord Almighty, who has abandoned creation. He aims to make him pay for leaving his children behind. Joining Jesse on his journey is his ex-girlfriend Tulip, who is now a hit woman, and a hundred year old Irish vampire named Cassidy. Along the way they battle secret religious commandoes, the retarded descendent of Christ, a guy who ****s meat and even each other.

The comic is profane and blasphemous, and if AMC takes it to series they're showing a commitment to upping the R-rated quality of what we've seen on The Walking Dead. It isn't so much that Preacher is hyper-violent - although it can be - but rather that it tackles hot-button religious issues with all the subtlety and grace of a loud wet fart in church.

Preacher has been out in the world of almost getting adapted for a while; it all started back in 1998 when Garth Ennis wrote a draft of a script and Kevin Smith tried to get Harvey Weinstein to make it. Along the way we've seen people like Rachel Talaly, DJ Caruso and Sam Mendes attached to direct. I don't know who is attached to the TV series, but I hear the names are big and impressive.

The sprawling, road trip nature of the comic lends itself to TV more than movies in my opinion. I think AMC will take the show right to the edge (if it goes to series), and I wouldn't be shocked to discover they shoot alternate, crazier versions for Netflix and home video. And of course going to series is the next big hump; this property has been floundering in adaptation for a lot of years, and there's no guarantee this version will get any farther than previous ones.

Source

[chris_sc77]

This cannot be done at amc .

[theusher]

And Seth Rogen is involved?

UPDATE: Not long after posting this story, actor/filmmaker Seth Rogen took to Twitter and made a rather enigmatic tweet of:

Looks like about seven of years of hard work are about to pay off. I may get to bring one of my favourite stories ever to life.

A little over an hour later, his meaning became a lot clearer when he tweeted:

Arseface. John Wayne, The Saint of Killers.

Basically three characters from Preacher. So how is Rogen involved with this attempt to bring the Vertigo comic to television--as a producer? Might he be directing the pilot?

While we were somewhat dubious of the earlier rumors, having been disappointed in the past, Rogen's tweets seem to confirm that something is definitely moving forward with Preacher.

[BLUEGRASS]

It isn't so much that Preacher is hyper-violent - although it can be - but rather that it tackles hot-button religious issues with all the subtlety and grace of a loud wet fart in church.

[Walts Ghost]

Great news. I think AMC can do it well enough. Very curious to see how this shapes up.

[Decado]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Great news. I think AMC can do it well enough. Very curious to see how this shapes up.

Meaning you think it will be a joke, but that's good enough, or do you actually think they'll make a good adaption? 'cause if it's the latter I'd like to know why, for IMO, you may as well say the Disney channel would make a great adaptation.

Don't get me wrong...I like some of AMC's shows...but an adaptation of Preacher? Really?

[*PREACHER*]

Would have been better to see this happening on HBO.

[hagios]

nuff said.

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

Would have been better to see this happening on HBO.

Or even FX....to me FX take much more chances that AMC..but this thing has been stuck in development hell for years

[Walts Ghost]

As someone who thinks this could potentially be good, this news is very good to hear. Especially about Ennis staying on as a consultant.

SCOOP: Sony Pictures Television Gives TV Pilot Development Commitment To Preacher

Over the last few days, we’ve read a whole bunch about AMC making a Preacher TV series. Bleeding Cool even got the CCO of AMC confirming it.

But now, confirming some rumors and exploding some others, Bleeding Cool has learned exclusively that a development order for a television pilot based upon Garth Ennis’ and Steve Dillon‘s ballbustingly blasphemous comic series from the nineties, Preacher, has been given by Sony Pictures Television studio.

The project is the studio’s next major endeavour, following its recently completed Breaking Bad series after its newly launched broadcast series The Blacklist starring James Spader. Bleeding Cool has also learned that while AMC Network has obtained the North American broadcast rights to Preacher, the network is not in control of its development as has been recently erroneously reported.

The television pitch has been developed for Sony Pictures Television by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Breaking Bad series writer Sam Caitlin through producer Neal Moritz’ Original Pictures.

Garth Ennis is reported to be particularly pleased about these developments, since it seemed that a television series possibility was all but dead after an initial failed effort at HBO.

Moreover, Ennis reportedly believes that it is Rogen and Goldberg who have finally captured the tone which Preacher would need in order to be true to the essence of the now legendary DC/Vertigo comic series. Ennis is expected to be an active consultant if the series moves forward.

Preacher has had a long history of high profile efforts to be realized on screen, including at HBO (under current Starz Media CEO Chris Albrecht, who departed HBO before a pilot was completed), and as a Sony feature to be directed by Sam Mendes (who, after a John August screenplay, departed the project to direct the James Bond film Skyfall). Mendes recently reiterated his admiration for the Preacher coda and acknowledged that he had been unable to crack how to bring it to the big screen. In fact Mendes noted that in all likelihood, Preacher would be best suited for episodic television.

As the book series languished under option to Sony Features with no real direction after the Sam Mendes departure (director D.J. Caruso was later brought in but no new feature writer was ever engaged), producer Neal Moritz and Vivian Cannon, head of Moritz’ Original Pictures’ Television, got Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg on board to take their vision for a television series out before the Sony option window closed.

Only a handful of networks were allowed to participate, and AMC triumphed after spirited bidding just before the deadline. The result is a stunning achievement for one of the great comic properties which appeared mired in a feature film development hell, never to see light of day. The chance at a Preacher television series also marks another extraordinary success for Ken F. Levin, whose multiplatforms in entertainment include as film and television producer (The Amazing Screw-On Head; The Scribbler; Quarry); as co-founder and current creative director of the relaunched publisher 1First Comics; and as Mr. Ennis’ long time representative.

Sources tell us it was Levin who conceived of and implemented the strategy to get the project moved over to Sony’s Television studios and to have Rogen and Goldberg take the project out on a rush basis before Sony’s option lapsed. (Ken Levin was named on last year Top 100 Power List by Bleeding Cool Magazine, listing the most powerful people in comics, and is one of the few who operates in both the business and the creative sides of the industry).

For Ennis, the commitment by Sony Television marks an opportunity to spotlight attention on one of his earliest exceptional creations. Ennis has since followed up with The Boys (currently at Paramount Features), Crossed, 303, Wormwood Chronicles and Stitched with Bleeding Cool owners Avatar, and with his current ongoing comic series Red Team from Dynamite and Red Rover on its way from Avatar.

You may start making your own Arseface masks… now.

Source

[theusher]

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Preacher Officially Heading to AMC

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Vertigo comic book series "Preacher" is officially on its way to the small screen! AMC and Sony TV have today officially confirmed the news that broke last fall that sees This is the End co-writers and directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg executive producing the series. They will also provide the screenplay for the pilot.

"Preacher" follows Reverend Jesse Custer, a tough Texas preacher who has lost his faith, has learned that God has left Heaven and abandoned His responsibilities. He finds himself the only person capable of tracking God down, demanding answers, and making Him answer for His dereliction of duty. Accompanying Jesse on his journey is his former girlfriend and a friendly vampire who seems to prefer a pint in the pub to the blood of the innocent. On his tail is one of the most iconic bad guys in print – an immortal, unstoppable killing machine named the Saint of Killers – a western lone gunman archetype whose sole purpose is to hunt and kill Jesse.

"This is a great piece of material for AMC, and we're thrilled to begin working with the creative team behind it to make another iconic AMC series," said Joel Stillerman, AMC's EVP of original programming, production and digital content.

"This is amazing!" say Rogen and Goldberg. "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!"

Garth Ennis said, "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 2-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."

"Breaking Bad" producer Sam Catlin will be the series' showrunner and will also executive produce alongside Rogen, Goldberg, Vivian Cannon, Ken Levin, Ori Marmur, Neal Moritz and Jason Netter.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnew...#ixzz2sZzoJp3A

[stvn1974]

The best news in all of this is that I haven't read Goyer's name at all. I guess he will be too busy ruining Constantine to have time to ruin this.

[theusher]

Hahaha, true. He was involved in another Vertigo comic adaptation (100 Bullets) for Showtime a while ago but I didn't see any news regarding that for quite some time now so maybe that one is safe too...

[theusher]

Rogen is currently writing the script:

[stvn1974]

I would love to read some of the FCC complaints this series gets from all the crazies out there once it starts airing.

[Moefiz]

When this actually hit there airwaves then I will believe it...

[*PREACHER*]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/...ting-up-at-amc

[theusher]

Typical IGN 'article'. To quote one of the comments, 'what is the news here exactly?' We already knew the pilot was ordered and that, as evidenced above, Rogen currently writes it.

[theusher]

Preacher TV Series Pilot Shoots Next Year

US cable network AMC has officially ordered a pilot for the Preacher TV adaptation! “Wait,” we hear you ask, “didn’t it already order that?” And you might well think that, based on the story from more than a year ago. Now, though, it appears to be fully ready to shoot, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg producing and directing the pilot.

Writing chores for the initial episode have been handed to Breaking Bad veteran Sam Catlin who will, should the series get a full order, serve as the man running the show.

And they have quite the job ahead of them, since Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s graphic novel series is not for the faint of heart, gut or moral fibre. Preacher is the sprawling tale of Jesse Custer, a handsome young Texas reverend with a dark past and a deep love of John Wayne films who becomes bonded with a creature known as Genesis, the offspring of an angel and demon. The blend at times makes him as powerful as God Himself, but also gives him real problems.

As Jesse, his ex-girlfriend (and assassin) Tulip and their new friend Cassidy (a vampire) try to figure out why he has this power and why God appears to have forsaken his kingdom, they cross paths with saints, serial killers and many, many inbred weirdoes. “Preacher has been our favourite comic since it first came out,” Rogen and Goldberg say in a statement. “Garth Ennis is one of our idols and it's an incredible honour to be working on this. We promise we won't make too many dick jokes and ruin it.” The pilot is scheduled to shoot next summer and if commissioned, the show will be on screens in 2016.

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42909

So the casting will hopefully be announced in the coming months.

[theusher]

Review of the pilot script:

I’ve Just Read The Pilot Script To Preacher From AMC . And I Love It.

There are adaptations that take the comic book and do it beat for beat. Occasional changes along the way, sure, but they try to stay as close to the text as possible. Like Watchmen or Persepolis.

Then there are those that take the original comic as a starting point and use it to go off to find new territory. All they share with the original is the name, maybe the characters and a couple of nods to the original as easter eggs along the way. Take Men In Black or A History Of Violence.

Then there are my favourites. The ones that divert incredibly from the original but hold fast to the characters and themes that made the original such a hit and just make them work really well on the screen. X-Men First Class, Hellboy, Spider-Man 2, The Walking Dead.

And that is what we get with Preacher. The comic, by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, hated by DC who published it, is the story about three people. Jesse Custer, a bad boy turned bad priest who is literally possessed by the word of God. Tulip, the tom boy bad ass gun toting woman from his past who he fall in in love with all over again – when he is allowed to. And Cassiday, the drunken Irish vampire who makes everything better or worse, or sometimes both. And everyone who gets chewed up and spat out in their wake.

That first issue began in flashback, with Genesis, the progeny of an angel and a demon, escaping from heaven, killing angels on its way, Jesse getting drunk, exposing his congregation’s secrets in the bat and getting the shit kicked out of him. With Cassidy and Tulip meeting up after a hit went wrong. Genesis possesses Jesse, killing all his congregation, Tulip finding his body, the Saint Of Killers being released, Jesse finding he has the Word Of God, dealing with Sheriff Root who then encountered the Saint, in hot pursuit.

The pilot episode is utterly different in structure. Genesis spends the issue moving from holy man to holy man, until it finds Jesse.



And while the other holy men don’t do well from it, the congregations survive. And so will Jesse’s when it gets to him. So we get to know a bit more about the people in the church – because they are going to make it out. And they are still going to be a part of this story.



Including Sheriff Root, who is as much of a bastard in this script as he is in the original. Here he’s just a very small minded than the out and out racist of the original. It’s a different decade, people are more minded to hide it these days…



And where Sheriff Root goes, so does his son.



It’s Arseface folks. Just as you remember him. Talking of people you remember….



All they have to do is change “faucet” to “tap” and that’s Cassidy, even though these are words that Garth never wrote. And that’s what’s so spectacular about this script, it is inspired by Preacher, has been written from the ground up but still reads like Preacher. The changes are fine, they fit, and I can see the show working out really well. The newly transformed Jesse Custer having more of his recent past haunting him. Oh and talking of changes?



Yup, Tulip is black. But she is still utterly Tulip.



Need more proof?



And normally those kind of asides in scripts really annoy me. Not here though, they are just part of the general joi de vive that inhabits the script. And Tulip’s suddenly-revived relationship with Jesse Custer is bang on the money as well, even if the moments of their reunion is utterly rewritten as well.



The Custer/Cassidy relationship is right there from the beginning as well.



Oh and look, they even ass special moments for fanboys too.



In the last few days I have read and written about TV pilot scripts for Fear The Walking Dead and Scream and Lucifer (with more to come). But Preacher is the one I am actually ecstatic about. The references are bang up to date and relevant, though not just in an “add an iPad” fashion (though they do do that). In this case it’s gay marriage, offensive sporting mascots and sado masochism amongst consenting adults. In the way that the TV version of Constantine just ripped the politics out of the original comics, Preacher keeps them in.

It is astonishingly good, more so for being so different from the comic. But not in the way that it feels. It feels like Preacher and dammit, that’s all I actually want.

I said that Lucifer depended on casting someone like Russell Brand in the role or it would fail utterly. Preacher, you can just go through central casting, the script is so good that anyone who can memorise a line is going to be made famous by this. Basically if you are an actor and you are asked to read for Preacher, bite their hands off.

Or noses…

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/02/...and-i-love-it/