AMC, the cable network behind Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead is developing yet another comic book adaptation, with a new Sony Pictures Television deal to develop a series based on Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Preacher (via Deadline). On board to write and executive produce is This Is the End writer/director duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Joining them is executive producer/showrunner Sam Catlin, as well as Neal Moritz and Vivian Cannon, exec producing for Original Films.
Rogen and Goldberg’s involvement appears to be limited to behind-the-scenes work; Deadline notes that there are “no plans for Rogen” – a well-established actor in his own right – “to have an onscreen presence at this time.” Catlin is a noteworthy participant as well. He served as a producer on Breaking Bad (co-exec producer starting in the fourth season), and he wrote a number of the now-concluded series’ episodes, including the memorable “4 Days Out,” in which Walt and Jesse find themselves stranded in the desert for multiple days.
Preacher is not exactly what many would consider to be “TV-friendly.” The story follows Reverend Jesse Custer, a faithless Texas preacher who picks up the ability to speak in the voice of God, then begins to hunt for God after discovering the Almighty has abandoned his post. He is joined along the way by an ex-girlfriend with a knack for guns, and a boozin’ and druggin’ Irish vampire. He’s pursued in his quest by supernatural cowboy, the Saint of Killers, and a secret organization known as The Grail that is charged with protecting Jesus Christ’s bloodline.
“We’ve tried for seven years to work on Preacher and we’re so psyched AMC is finally letting us,” Goldberg and Rogen said in a statement. “It is our favorite comic of all time, and we’re going to do everything we can to do it right. Humperdoo!”
