No 'Preacher' for HBO -- Who Will Keep the Faith?
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, nearly 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 big 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 big screen.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2008 @ 7:15PM
ZenFrog said...
This has got to be the most disappointing news I’ve read in a long time, I always thought that both Preacher and Sandman could never be made into Hollywood films but they were perfect for what HBO has been doing with there original series. I truly scratch my head with this decision. I don’t get it.
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8-27-2008 @ 7:42PM
dukrous said...
I'm happy this happened. I'm not thrilled with this guy's track record. But this is one that is unfilmable because no one will want to start a fight with the religious groups in this country. While PREACHER has some good things to say, it does so in such a blunt and obscene way (the point, I know, but still) that it would be difficult to market. I'm a huge fan (and a practicing Catholic) but this is something that might just stay one of Comicdom's worst kept secrets.
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8-27-2008 @ 7:50PM
Rich Drees said...
Let me get this straight... The channel with a new series about vampire civil rights found Preacher too dark?
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8-27-2008 @ 9:33PM
Pendragon said...
Not surprised it's dead.
It has to do with the church.
God forbid anyone says anything negative about the church
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8-27-2008 @ 9:46PM
mezzanine said...
Probably had something to do with the chicken fucker and Arseface...
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8-28-2008 @ 1:47AM
kbradsher said...
Probably has something to do with the Saint of Killers shooting God in the head and taking the throne of heaven. (oh...did I just give away the ending?)
Not to mention the overall anti-religion theme.
Would love to see it made; though I don't think a movie could do it justice the way a word-for-word series would.
Since Preacher is too much for HBO then how about a word for word adaption of Sandman?????!
8-28-2008 @ 12:03AM
Jordan M. said...
this is probably for the best. can't say i wasn't excited, but at the same time, i feel like not every good comic has to be made into a film. though a miniseries would have been the perfect way to do it, so if they are still going to attempt it, i hope they keep it that way, so it can stay good and unrated.
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8-28-2008 @ 1:34AM
Scott K said...
How could anyone have been excited for something done by Mark Steven Johnson? I actually feel relieved at this news.
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8-28-2008 @ 11:12AM
HallsyHatesU said...
I would have been intrigued by a series but, really, the comic was perfect and I don't think an adaptation is at all necessary.
There's no way you can cram all the greatness of Preacher into one flick. Absolutely not.
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8-28-2008 @ 1:56PM
Justin said...
Remember, this is America. I find it very easy to believe that studios would shy away from something so blasphemous and intentionally offensive to the Christian Right as Preacher. That said, I still think it deserves proper serialized treatment on one of the premium channels versus a movie.
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