DJ Caruso To Direct ‘Preacher’ Adaptation

Really?

That was my first reaction when I heard from The Hollywood Reporter that DJ Caruso will direct an adaptation of the hugely popular 1995-2000 Vertigo Comics series, Preacher. I honestly was a bit surprised because the rights for this series have bounced around since the late 90s, with everyone from the series writer Garth Ennis attached as screenwriter to Kevin Smith as producer to Sam Mendes directing to James Marsden as starring in the lead role of Jesse Custer, a Texas preacher who travels across America in search of God. Furthermore, in the mid 2000s it was announced that the expansive series would instead become an HBO film, which probably would fit the content of the series better. However, it was announced this week that DJ Caruso (Disturbia, I Am Number Four) would direct the film from a newer screenplay written by John August (Charlie’s Angels, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). It will be produced by Neal H. Moritz (The Fast and The Furious series) and Jason Netter (Wanted). Hit more for my thoughts about the upcoming adaptation!

Obviously I don’t want to take anything away from DJ Caruso — Disturbia wasn’t a bad film, although I really would’ve liked the filmmakers to have at least acknowledge that it was essentially a remake of Hitchcock‘s far superior Rear Window — but this is a tough task to take on, so I don’t envy him. Preacher is among the top dozen or so beloved comics series, and considering the backlash similarly loved material like Constantine and Watchmen received I’d imagine most would be a bit hesitant to take on the project. It does seem like the material is best suited for a television series, so cramming the 66 issue series (plus several spinoffs!) into one film will be tricky. The series’ controversial content (let’s just say that bad things happen to God, who isn’t cast in the most flattering light anyway) will surely bring some protests that will undoubtedly cause the release a few headaches. I’m not saying it’s impossible for Caruso to pull it off — but I’m rather surprised that The Hollywood Reporter cites I Am Number Four was a key reason why Caruso got the director’s gig on Preacher when both the critical buzz and box office performance of the film have been underwhelming (to say the least).

But we’re more curious about what you think! Any interest in a Preacher film? Give us your thoughts in the comments!