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D.J. Caruso Signed to Direct Adaptation of Vertigo's Comic 'Preacher'

by Ethan Anderton
February 22, 2011
Source: Twitter

We haven't heard anything about the adaptation of Vertigo's comic book Preacher since 2009. At the time Sam Mendes was still lined up to direct the project, but he's since fallen away from the adaptation and now has the next James Bond installment lined up. But lately rumors have been circling that another director is looking to take over the project, and while we've held off on reporting them until something official came up, the time is now for a substantial update. Updating on his Twitter account (via TFS), director D.J. Caruso (Eagle Eye, I Am Number Four) confirmed that he just closed his deal to direct the comic book adaptation.

The director simply said, "My deal just closed on Preacher. Going back to the dark side and pretty fucking pumped!" The comic 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. This likely isn't going to be for everybody, but with Caruso on board, I can't help but think the film won't be nearly as dark as it might have been with Mendes on board. Though his efforts haven't always resulted in the best overall films, at least Caruso knows how to direct action, and can handle a special effects heavy project. As for the tone, I guess we'll have to see how it pans out. Thoughts?

Filed under Development, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Loser

This might sound crazy but I hoped for Sidney Lumet directing this one after Mendes left
Anonymous

Don't forget that the Preacher has the Word of God (or something similar) so that he can Command whatever he likes to whomever he wants, and they obey him completely and literally. And I do hope they also include the Saint of Killers in the movie.
http://twitter.com/JohnnyNeat Johnny Neat

About freaking time. I hope this isn't taken lightly and that it's done with a stiff R rating. P.s. Saint of Killers would be great! I would DIE if Clint Eastwood took it on. Anyone?!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502160911 Dan Arbiture

I'll still see it (and hopefully enjoy it), but my super high hopes of it being pretty much a direct-adaptation a la Sin City or 300, were kind of dashed at the moment they said it wouldn't be a TV show akin to 'The Walking Dead.' Preacher is far and beyond my favorite comic series of all time, and every issue is important to the series, so one movie (or even a few) can't even come close to encapsulating the wonder of the comic series. That said, I hope that whatever they do with this will be at least slightly loyal to the comic.
Nate

Man, I've been waiting for this adaptation for a long time! I really hope they take this project seriously and don't mess it up like Jonah Hex. Here's what my line up would've been: Director - Quentin Tarantino Jesse - Clive Owen Tulip - Naomi Watts Cassidy - Colin Farrell Starr - Pete Postlethwaite, but sadly he's gone, so Ben Kingsley would still be nice. Arseface - Michael Cera Saint of Killers - The Undertaker, let's face it he doesn't do much talking anyways, just shows up and look mean. But if you need real acting then old Clint Eastwood wouldn't be bad either.
- Cracky
  
  Wow dude.
joel

I've waited for this for so long. I still feel this would best be done as an HBO or showtime series with each episode being one of the books. There's no way they will be able to capture every single crucial detail to this story in a 2 hour film. I'll still see it and I'm very excited, but my expectations are extremely high.
http://twitter.com/DwainIBe DwainIBe

Never read Preacher...where should I start?
Lebowski

Start at the start. Buy Preacher Vol.1 trade paperback and be blown away. Anyway, this will suck one million dicks. Preacher is too long, too complex and intricate to be viable as a single film. Plus it is transcendently violent and dirty. I mean is Hollywood really going to OK the scene where Jessie murders that Marqui de Sade character after finding him creating child pornography? How about the one where the direct descendant of Jesus Christ masturbates in a cage and eats his own shit? Point being, the studio is clearly Twilightifying this comic. Get ready for a 22 year old Cassidy who is not Irish. Fuck Hollywood and fuck that hack DJ Caruso.
Mildmanneredmaniac

Judging from stuff like Disturbia or Eagle Eye Caruso would seem like the wrong goy for this directing gig. But if you'd seen The Salton Sea you'd know that this guy can in fact do grim, gritty and perversely funny stuff. Still, Lebowski is right, this comic should never, ever be adapted into a 2-hour-movie. It just won't work.
Judasbarronx1

About F***ING Time! One of the greatest comics I've ever read. I hope they do it justice!
Interested

One of my favourite comics back in the day. Why do I have a feeling I'm going to be disappointed with the final result? Also ,I agree on the idea about it being a TV series instead of a 2-hour movie. Saint of Killers deserves a movie of his own.Maybe a sequel.
Tilane7

I don't expect much from this considering the sweep, violence, and challenges to religion in the source material. The movie will be watered down crap, most likely.