After the continuing success of Game Of Thrones, HBO is planning yet another high-profile fantasy series. American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel, is currently in development.
Production duties will fall to Playtone, the production company started by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Films in Playtone’s resume include Hanks-heavy features like Cast Away and The Polar Express, not to mention high profile HBO projects such as Band of Brothers, The Pacific and John Adams.
The series is currently being planned out in no less than six seasons of 10-12 episodes each. The budget for each season will be in the $40 million range, with a heavy emphasis on CG. The earliest that American Gods would grace the airwaves would be 2013.
The central premise of American Gods is that gods and other mythological figures are real in the modern world, but their power and influence depends on the belief of humans. Obviously, that puts some gods in a tight spot due to modern sensibilities. Deities from the Greco-Roman, Nordic, Hindu, Egyptian, and Judeo-Christian pantheons all make an appearance. (Supernatural fans, hold your applause.)
Mythological figures like Odin (portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in 'Thor') are the central characters of 'American Gods'.
In addition, new gods have sprung up, thanks to America’s restructured belief in things like the Internet, drugs, and celebrities. The central conflict of the book is a brewing war between the old gods and the new, played out in various locations across the United States and the world.
In keeping with the current trend, American Gods is not a “clean” fantasy story. Though the themes are lofty, the setting is current, and sex, drugs and rock & roll are present throughout. Given HBO’s generally uncompromising attitude towards storytelling and the adults-only nature of Game Of Thrones, fans of the novel should expect a faithfully explicit retelling.
Cinematographer Robert Richardson first brought the project to Playtone. Richardson is the veteran of impressive visual movies like Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill and Shutter Island, so expect American Gods to look fantastic, regardless of casting or story.
American Gods will be the third Gaiman novel to be adapted for the screen, following feature films Stardust and Coraline. Fans of Gaiman would do well to check out the recent Doctor Who episode “The Doctor’s Wife“; the British author collaborated with the producers to write the script. Various other Gaiman projects are currently optioned for films or series, including Death: The High Cost of Living and The Graveyard Book.
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Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelCrider
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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Yet no Preacher.
American Gods is a miserable, depressing book. What is HBO thinking?
I guess the dark comedy in American Gods was a bit much for some people. For the subject matter the book was pretty funny. Those not used to Gaimans way of making light of religion may find it dark. However The inside jokes for those not Killing infidels in the name of our lord may get a kick out of him.
You’re right, all of HBO programming is positive and uplifting: OZ, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Paradise Lost, and Six Feet Under.
They really have no business making “miserable” literature into a television show based on a Hugo Award-winning writer.
I didn’t find it to be miserable or depressing. Gaiman has a massive following that will watch this in droves. I am very interested too see what they come up with.
HBO has an incredible track record, as does Gaiman. To go ahead and green light six seasons at $40 million each, with the amount of vetting required to get on HBO, is no small feat.
So to answer your question: HBO is probably thinking that it would like to produce a show created by one of the best fiction writers of our time. I suspect they will make a lot of money doing it. I for instance, will subscribe to HBO when this show airs.
Great news!
But you weren’t completely accurate: Neverwhere was also adapted as a mini-series – was very good!
Neverwhere is a TV miniseries, later adapted as a book.
Actually, you’re wrong. Neverwhere was in fact a book first. It was Neil Gaiman’s first full length published novel if I am not wrong. It was LATER adapted into a Miniseries.
Hate to be that person, but the series was in fact first. He was asked to write a show idea about the homeless in London, and shazam Neverwhere was born. The miniseries came out in the fall of 96 and the book shortly after. Which is why it is one of the few shows to almost perfectly match the book.
Cheers.
American Gods is a GREAT novel. Too bad I don’t have HBO lol.
HBO is sure getting all the good properties to work with lately. Great move on their part.
Maybe Sandman is next. One can only hope…
So HBO is planning 6 seasons of 10-12 episodes each from a single novel [American Gods] while we get GoT seasons of no more than 10 episodes announced piecemeal[for a 7 book series]. What’s up with that?
Can’t wait to see this. We are one step closer to a sandman tv show.
Very cool. Given what HBO has done with Game of Thrones and True Blood, I doubt readers will be disappointed. Now, any chance HBO or Starz might do a new adaptation of Neverwhere. Loved the book but the series was far too hampered by budget constraints.
HBO lit a spark…damn them if they dontn make these series…….Neil Gaiman.,,,god…i would like this series…my favorite novel…i just hope they dont mess it up! Btw got a facebook grp for this series……and we all love the idea!
HBO has produced some of the best series imo. They have provided where Hollywood has abandoned us. In HBO We Trust!
I read the Wiki description and this novel sounds awesome, I just have to finish books 3-5 of A Song of Ice and Fire and I can start it!
get your facts right, Neverwhere has been adapted too, for the BBC.
Neverwhere was a novel adapted from a TV series, not the other way round.
This is going to be much anticipated.
Anticipating nothingness.
Any news now?
Tom Hanks admitted he has not even read American Gods. Richardson and Gaiman are Scientologists and they’re pressuring Hanks by having their Sea Org staff spread this crap all over the web. This is a Scientology lie.
Gaiman himself is not a Scientologist, his father was and his sister (last time I read) was head of a church. Gaiman doesn’t identify any religion from what I’ve read, none of his causes or comments have ever pointed to Scientology, exactly what crap are you speaking of?
Neil Gaiman is underwriting Scientology. Not only is Gaiman listed in Scientology’s Cornerstone Newsletter along with Mary Gaiman, (contributing $35,000.00 in 2009), Gaiman gave half a million In 2010 to the Scientology Super Powers Center. Mary Gaiman was awarded the “Gold Humanitarian Award” for her contribution of $500,000.00 to Scientology. This contribution was made by The Blank Corporation, Gaiman’s company which he owns with Mary. The Blank Corp is Gaiman’s Scientology front and how he pays the cult. The Gaiman Family are listed as Silver Meritorious for that year in Scientology’s own magazines (Impact 123). These listings mean that Gaiman can reincarnate into another Scientology family, according to the Cult’s bogus teachings.
Gaiman will never leave the cult because he is the vitamin heir of Scientology and a spineless weakling. The Gaiman family owns G&G Vitamins which reaps 6 million a year from selling The Purification Rundown Vitamins and Gaiman’s two sisters, Claire Edwards and Lizzie Calciole are not just high-ranking Scientologists, they are the Head of Recruiting and the Head of Wealden House ( the Scientology stronghold in East Grinstead where Gaiman was an Auditor). These two high-ranking Scientologists cannot associate with Neil unless he is in good standing.
There is a clear money trail leading to Gaiman. All documents are available on Wiki.
Why bother starting to watch this? HBO will pull the plug like Rome, John From Cinncinati, two seasons in.
3rd????
maybe strictly novels, but Neverwhere was a mini series, and Mirrormask was a movie, both written by Gaiman…