NEWS: Preacher Update...

Since Watchmen has been released, there are a few comic book series/graphic novels that are at the top of everyone's must make list. The Dark Knight Returns (which is my number one pick and I am currently reading the book), Fearful Symmetry (as Kevin Smith pointed out on his appearence on the /Filmcast) which is the Spider-Man/Kraven storyline, and Runaways are three of the most talked about possibilities.

However, one of the series that I would be most interested in seeing on the big screen is the uber-controversial book series, Preacher:

“Here’s a book guaranteed to offend a bunch of people, not only because of its profuse profanity and graphic violence, but because it’s the epitome of iconoclasm. Like a brutal accident, you can’t watch but you can’t turn away. The story follows an ex-preacher man, Jesse, who has become disgusted with God’s abandoning of His responsibilities. So Jesse starts off into the wilds of Texas with his hitman girlfriend and new best friend (a vampire) to find God so that he can give Him a piece of his mind. Despite its superficial perversity, this book contains what may be the most moral character in mainstream comics. A cult hit in the making. Fans of Quentin Tarantino take note.”

Well, this film is about half way there.

Aparrently, American Beauty director, Sam Mendes gave MTV an update on the project which he is attatched to helm:

“There’s a long way to go yet, but I’m very, very hopeful. I think it could be amazing. The script is about half way written."

The premise sound insanely interesting, I love Sam Mendes (look out for Away We Go later this summer), and this comic book series easily can span several sequels, making it a very viable franchise. The subject matter will ofcourse spark some controversy, but I think with the group behind it, it can make a great film and franchise.

That said, the project has had more false starts that the Lion's Offensive Line.

The film was originally set for Kevin Smith and included a 25$ million budget and James Marsden as the lead, until that fell into HBO's hands for a television series (which I honestly think ALL comic book franchises would be better off going to, but that's another post). Then Robert Rodriguez got ahold of it for it's pilot, and after that again fell out of the hands of him, it landed in the lap of Mendes.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!