The day Sam Mendes agreed to helm the next James Bond film was also the very same day he told Columbia he wouldn't be the man to bring the much loved 90's Vertigo comic book series
Preacher to the big screen. So whilst we gushed (and indeed, are still gushing) over what his James Bond movie will look like, a part of us was deeply saddened that such a talented auteur wouldn't be the man to bring Garth Ennis' Tarantino inspired, violent & iconoclastic Preacher to live action life. Since Mendes went over to the 007 franchise, things have been very quiet in Preacher land. Back in September, producer Neal Mortiz had told Total Film that another unnamed director has apparently signed on" to direct John August's (Go, Big Fish) screenplay that is a really faithful adaptation but made it probably more accessible to a broader audience but it's not until today that the picture has become clearer.
/film report a rumour from 'a well placed Hollywood spy' who claims that Disturbia & Eagle Eye helmer
D.J. Caruso is in talks to direct Preacher and as long as his next movie,
I Am Number Four, hits the audience WB think it will, then he will be the man to bring the R-rated film adaptation to the screen. Last we heard, a whole number of films were planned and let's hope Columbia still have that kind of ambition. The synopsis of the graphic novel reads;
Heres a book guaranteed to offend a bunch of people, not only because of its profuse profanity and graphic violence, but because its the epitome of iconoclasm. Like a brutal accident, you cant watch but you cant turn away. The story follows an ex-preacher man, Jesse, who has become disgusted with Gods 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. Despite its superficial perversity, this book contains what may be the most moral character in mainstream comics. A cult hit in the making. Fans of Quentin Tarantino take note.
Whilst Caruso isn't exactly the most revered director around, I did actually enjoy his two Shia LaBeouf thrillers and although he's not Sam Mendes, or even Darren Aronofsky who was said to have a mild interest in adapting the material - I could certainly think of a lot worse Hollywood filmmakers who were more likely to get their hands on this property than he. Though, if you are expecting I Am Number Four to be something great - it's not. We saw it a while back and are under embargo with our review hitting this week but we feel it's our duty to inform you that the movie is a bonified stinker.