200611301245Although the rumor had previously been pooh-poohed by Garth Ennis himself, it seems that PREACHER is indeed in development as a mini-series at HBO.

The pay cable network is developing a one-hour series based on the popular 1990s Vertigo comics series. Mark Steven Johnson, the writer-director behind comic adaptations “Daredevil” and the upcoming “Ghost Rider,” is writing the pilot, while Howard Deutch is attached to direct. Johnson and Deutch will executive produce along with Michael De Luca, George Agusto, Chris Bender and JC Spink.
[snip]The series was created by Irish-born writer Garth Ennis and British artist Steve Dillon, who will serve as co-executive producers. Ken F. Levin, who reps the duo, also will serve as co-exec producer.

The series — which developed a rabid fan base — was known for tackling religious and political issues, its dark and violent sense of humor and its observations of American culture. It also was one of the series that helped define Vertigo, the adult-oriented line of comics from DC Comics.


While we’re thrilled that this is in the works, and excited to call Ennis and Dillon “producers” next time we see them, the involvement of Mark Steven Johnson is…not all that we had hoped.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Heidi – what’s your beef with Mark? I thought he did a remarkable job with Daredevil – at least in reference to the Director’s cut of the film which is a entirely different animal than the released theatrical version. I’m looking forward to his vision of Ghost Rider with the proverbial bated breath.

    ~

    Coat

  4. Yeah, I think it’s going to be a regular 13-episode-a-year series for HBO…

    And I, too, cringed when I saw Mark Steven Johnson’s name attached. I was embarrassed by “Daredevil” (admittedly, I haven’t seen the director’s cut, but the theatrical was more than enough blech for me) and “Ghost Rider” looks laughable.

    Maybe he’ll do better with characters with no costumes or…flaming skulls.

  5. The Director’s Cut was better, but that isn’t saying a lot. When having courtroom scenes featuring Coolio is one of the highlights…

  8. I’m disappointed with MSJ as well, but I didn’t think Daredevil was that God awful. Not great, but not horrible. Ghost Rider doesn’t really thrill me at the moment. I hope it’s good, but that’s a really hard character to get right. He doesn’t have any great comic book storylines, so how is the movie going to get it right? Even the Ennis book was pretty bad, and I think anything Ennis does is golden.

    Saying that, Preacher was so well done that you almost felt like you were reading an HBO series. I hate to make famous last words, but how can anyone screw it up?

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