With all the hub-bub surrounding the 20th anniversary of "Say Anything," it seems a little weird to think of actor John Cusack as a potential lead for "Preacher," Sam Mendes' in-development adaptation of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's very adult-oriented comic book series. However, that could indeed be the one comic book movie he's chasing these days—or something very similar to it.
In an interview with io9, Cusack described a comic book movie floating around Hollywood that he's trying to get involved with—and the description sounds an awful lot like a certain story about an ex-Preacher, his trigger-happy girlfriend and a vampire who set out to teach God a lesson.
"It's a vampire and a killer, and they're on the road, and it's this really strange story," said Cusack. Read more...
I didn't have much time to sort through this week's swag, but the two items I am calling out this week should more than make up for it. Check 'em out:
That's a pair of first-volume hardcovers up there, containing some of the best comics ever published. Not too bad, eh? Read more...
Anyone who has had one knows that there's nothing funny about hangovers -- but this weekend's summer release, "The Hangover," plans to change that preconceived notion for theatergoers around the world.
Still, there are a variety of comic book heroes that wouldn't even flinch at the word "hangover," despite the alcohol-addled headache they're nursing following a night of binge drinking. After all, they're some of the world's greatest champions -- what's a dozen or so shots of Jagermeister between friends?
In honor of the Bradley Cooper-starring movie's release, we came up with our own list of hard drinking heroes that can down a keg or two and still save the entire planet, all in a single gulp. Read more...
While speaking with MTV News this weekend about his upcoming film "Away We Go," director Sam Mendes dropped a few details about the status of his much-anticipated, big-screen version of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's comic book series, "Preacher."
With a complicated storyline and some weighty subject matter, it's tricky to imagine the best way to pull off a live-action "Preacher." Though Mendes is relatively mum at the moment (until he has a script in front of him, he told MTV), he did say that screenwriter John August is moving along with his first draft.
"He's doing pretty well," Mendes told MTV News, "He's about halfway through. There's a long way to go yet, but I'm very, very hopeful. I think it could be amazing." Read more...
Sam Mendes' adaptation of Garth Ennis' controversial series "Preacher" finally has a writer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, John August will be stepping in for scripting duties on the project, which is sounding better and better all the time.
The 60-issue series (by Ennis and artist Steve Dillon) tells the story of Jesse Custer, a Texas preacher who, imbued with the power of the "Word of God," has the ability to make anyone do exactly as he says. He travels across America with his ex-girlfriend, Tulip, and Irish vampire drinking buddy, Cassidy, to hunt down God and make him explain to all creation why he abandoned them. Read more...
Back in October, the 'Net leaped out of its seat and shouted "Hallelujah!" over the news that Vertigo's groundbreaking series "Preacher" had broken out of development hell and a "Preacher" movie was on its way to the silver screen after Columbia had obtained the rights to the franchise (with Sam Mendes pegged to direct). Heck, we were so excited over the news that we even threw together a "Preacher" casting call!
However, we later discovered that the news of Mendes' attachment to "Preacher" was a bit premature. So, when MTV happened to catch the Oscar-winning director on the red carpet at The Golden Globes, we had to check in and see there had been any movement since the news first broke.
As you can see in the video above, while Mendes tells us that he's still waiting on a script before he decides to officially sign on, he clearly seems to be interested in taking on the "brilliant" adaptation despite its potential for "danger." Read more...
Last week, the Internet lit up like hellfire when The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that not only was the on-again/off-again comic book masterpiece "Preacher" once again headed for the silver screen -- this time with Columbia Pictures obtaining the rights -- but Sam Mendes was also attached to direct. And while it still looks as though "Preacher" itself is still headed for development, the news about Mendes was just a bit off.
In a sit-down with Empire magazine that hit the 'Net this morning, Mendes cleared up some of the rumors surrounding his attachment to "Preacher."
"I’d love to make Preacher, but there’s no script," said Mendes. "This is a typical Variety announcement. 'Mendes to direct Preacher' – I wish! Basically they should have written, 'Mendes in development with 'Preacher.'' What I’m doing is, I’ve gotta find a script. I’ve just got to get it written.” Read more...
So they're finally going to make a "Preacher" movie. Who should they cast? We have a few recommendations.
JESSE CUSTER
When "Preacher" was first getting off the ground years ago, James Marsden was cast as Jesse, a former preacher who has the Voice of God -- when he speaks, you have no choice but to follow his command, even if it's "Eat your gun." Marsden, no offense, doesn't seem quite that powerful. But Nathan Fillion -- who already played a nasty preacher on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and got the western thing down pat on "Firefly" -- seems like he could make anyone do his bidding.
Runners-up: Johnny Depp, Casey Affleck, or Matthew McConaughey (if you dye his hair black).
TULIP O'HARE
Tulip is a tomboy who her dad (when he thought she'd be a he) wanted to name John William Grady O'Hare. Practically raised as a boy, Tulip needs to have a certain toughness -- no big, weepy empathetic eyes. Cameron Diaz originally wanted the part, but she still seems a little too sweet. How about Ali Larter?
Runners-up: Terminatrix Kristanna Loken also has the right look, but does she have the range? Read more...
Just as fans were slowly accepting the fact that "Preacher" -- Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion's highly-controversial comic series that took on everything from organized religion to shady government agencies -- was DOA at HBO, along comes news that the option has once again been picked up, this time by Columbia Pictures, who intends to make the property into a full-length feature film. A "Preacher Feature," if you will (ba-dum-dum!).
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Columbia has picked up the option and pegged Sam Mendes to direct. Neal Moritz's Original Films banner will produce alongside Kickstart Prods.' Jason Netter. Read more...
In an interview with Comics Continuum, "Ghost Rider" and "Daredevil" director Mark Steven Johnson has all but confirmed that development of an HBO series based on Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's "Preacher" has all but ended.
According to Johnson, filming was set to begin on the series -- which the director said would have been a faithful adaptation to the book -- until the new head of HBO (possibly Bill Nelson, appointed CEO in June 2007) decided that the series was far too violent and controversial. HBO then offered Johnson a chance to redevelop the production, but he refused, and stated in no uncertain terms, "I'm afraid it's dead at HBO."
Rumor has it that "Preacher" may find its way to the big screen, so there's still hope out there for fans of the epic Vertigo series. We just might have to wait a bit longer.
Did Johnson make the right move by refusing to rework his vision of "Preacher?" Bummed that the HBO deal fell through? Let us know in the comments.
