Some form of adaptation of the Preacher comic book series has been in the works, and constantly shifting, for what seems like forever, and now, one year before the scheduled filming start date of the movie adaption, director Sam Mendes (who was still attached as of last autumn) has officially dropped out, in order to direct the next James Bond movie.
But all is not lost, as thanks to producer Neal Moritz it looks like production will still go ahead, with the old start date remaining intact. He believes that the script (written by the writer and director of The Nines, John August) is “terrific”, and that August has done a great job of planning ahead; by not trying to force the entire nine volume, 75 issue, comic series into one movie, and while still remaining faithful to the source material, has enough left “for two or three movies.”
That faithfulness, and possible long arc, should satisfy the many fans who object to a movie and would have preferred to see Preacher turned into a brutal, HBO style TV series (which would actually suit the material perfectly, and was commissioned by HBO, until finally being dropped by new studio executives, in August 2008, who thought it was too dark and religiously controversial).
Moritz’s clear insistence that the film is heading for an R rating should also please the fans, as the story; which follows preacher Jesse Custer (who is possessed by the supernatural offspring of an angel and a demon), his girlfriend Tulip, and their alcoholic, Irish, vampire companion Cassidy, on their quest to find God, who legged it from Heaven and went into hiding the instant that the angel/demon spawn was born; is literally plastered with violence and cursing all the way through.
And despite the director situation, all is not lost just yet, as Neal Moritz is currently in talks with one specific mystery director, and has other “lofty names” in mind if the mystery man doesn’t pan out. Failing all of those, John August himself may land the job, as he reportedly told Moritz that, if the other directors didn’t work out, he’d be interested, and Moritz hasn’t discounted the possibility.
