Preacher Too Dark for HBO

Mark Steven Johnson who was developing DC's widely popular 75 issue comic "Preacher" written by Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon for HBO. Well it seems that the producers at HBO have laid to rest "Preacher" and have deemed the project unsuccessful! It seems that the newest producer at HBO and Johnson did not see eye to eye. Johnson recently talked with Comic Continuum about the end of the Preacher's development at HBO. Mark Steven Johnson explained, "We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going." Johnson continued, "But the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point!"

First off Johnson is the guy who brought us "Dare Devil" and "Ghost Rider" and while I didn't hate either of them, like most, I do not think Johnson is the right guy to tell the dark story of Jesse Custer/ Preacher. I also highly doubt this guy is making something "too dark!" Now Johnson has gone on and on, about why most people didn't like Daredevil, wasn't his fault but more the studios. Ghost Rider was campy and I liked it, but for a character as dark as Ghost Rider, why did it feel like I was watching a Fantastic Four movie? Johnson has also gone on record saying that in Ghost Rider, he achieved everything he wanted. Really, everything? Hmmm...If that was everything he wanted then, stay the fuck away from The Preacher!

Mark Steven Johnson in each of his projects has always waxed on that his version will be faithful. He had said Daredevil was his favorite comic as a kid, and look how that turned out! Johnson went on to say that his adaptation of Preacher was faithful too, "It was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, nearly word for word. They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I've learned my lesson on that front and I won't do it again. So I'm afraid it's dead at HBO." Sweet that means, Johnson wont be able to make another marginal comic adapatation!

Johnson goes on to say that he would like to see the film made into a series of feature films. Johnson said, "I hope it happens as a series of movies as one movie couldn't do it justice. I really love that story and I dedicated a lot of my time to honor Garth's work. But it wasn't meant to be." I too would've loved to have seen Preacher on HBO or in a series of films, personally a series on HBO or Shotime would be the best format to do the comics justice. But, Mark Steven Johnson, is definately not the right guy for the job! If it is adapated into a feature film or films, keep him away Hollywood, please!


What are your thoughts on Preacher being dead at HBO? Have you read the comics?