For the launch of the second "Preacher" slate, we dream of More...
On June 26, "Preacher," the series adaptation of one of the most beloved comic book originals, enters its second round. Not the first venture to use graphic novel series outside the Marvel/DC mainstream. And certainly not the last. Sony has already made use of a well-deserved template that was considered unfilmable by many with "Powers". And in addition to Brian K. Vaughan's upcoming "Runaways" and "Y - The Last Man" (also from "Under The Dome" showrunner Vaughan), which will hopefully soon go into production, "Preacher" producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are already working on the next project: "The Boys", once again from Garth Ennis, and their campaign against superheroes who go too far.
Much more exciting, however, is the question of who and with whom will take on the other pop-cultural graphic novel treasures that we believe are waiting to be realized. We combine wishful thinking with prognosis and present you ten comics on their way to serial immortality.
EX MACHINA
This is what it's about: About the first and only superhero Mitchell Hundred (a.k.a. The Great Machine), who made it to mayor of New York after serving during 9/11, and who is caught up in the shadows of his past.
That's why we want to see it: Because, as a mix of "Powers," "House of Cards" and "The Wire," the material combines the best of superhero, political and thriller art on itself.
He did it: "Y - The Last Man" and "Saga" creator Brian K. Vaughan and, who also as a writer for "Lost" and showrunner of "Under The Dome" was allowed to gather plenty of TV experience.
They should implement it: The best Vaughan himself, on the director's chair perhaps supported by David Fincher. Title role: With a little good will still Kiefer Sutherland, who may mix here "Designated Survivor" charisma with Jack Bauer heroism.
THE UNWRITTEN
That's what it's about: About a kind of "Harry Potter" written into the real world, which goes together with a vampire and a journalist on the search for his identity and on the way may stumble through several world literary classics.
This is why we want to see it: Because the 11-volume story works just as well as a satire on literary fan worship as it does as a global world conspiracy fantasy and a fantasy tale. And because thanks to several literary worlds boredom should not arise so quickly.
He did it: The whole thing was written by Mike Carey, who was recently also responsible for the literary template for "The Girl With All The Gifts."
They should make it happen: In the ideal world, Joanne K. Rowling writes the scripts, which her house director David Yates then films. And perhaps Daniel Radcliffe is soon ripe for his first TV series lead role?
FABLES
That's what it's about: About the mythical and fairy-tale creatures who have emigrated from the fairy-tale world to our reality and their struggle against the dark forces that have driven them from their homeland.
That's why we want to see it: Because the material - long before the tired knock-off "Once Upon A Time" was already once thought of for serial implementation and we can not imagine that the cinema implementation currently in planning even rudimentarily the narrative greatness of the multi-layered comic universe will be able to depict.
He did it: Bill Willingham, along with cartoonist Mark Buckingham.
They should make it happen: M. Night Shyamalan. As Bigby Wolf, none other than "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman is considered.
CRIMINAL
That's what it's about: About very different criminals and their stories - often tragic - that borrow fromnoir narrative traditions.
That's why we want to see it: Because the serious and visually striking variation on "Sin City" is ideally suited as an anthology series and could serve different top-tier professionals as a playground for great storytelling.
He did it: Ed Brubaker (who is also currently working on a series with Nicolas Winding Refn and is co-creator of the "Captain America" adaptations) and artist Sean Phillips.
They are to make it happen: At the screenplay level, Brubaker himself. For the direction, in addition to Refn, big caliber of the brand Villeneuve, Tarantino, Michael Mann and Fincher come into question. With their respective favorite stars in the luggage.
SLEEPER
That's what it's about: About the Holden Carver, equipped with super powers, who is infiltrated into the organization of a super criminal and has to fight there in the best "Infernal Affairs" manner with loyalty and identity conflicts.
This is why we want to see it: Because the incredibly complex and mind-bogglingly exciting material has already been sold in comic book form in the guise of "Season 1" and "Season 2," and again, a theatrical adaptation just doesn't do it justice.
He did it: See above: Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.
They should make it happen: For the film, first Sam Raimi with Tom Cruise and then Matt Damon, Ben Affleck as well as "The Shield" writer Shawn Ryan were planned. The latter constellation we can also imagine well for the series, for which we now simply bring Josh Brolin as a leading actor into the conversation.
FATALE
That's what it's about: About an archetypal and seemingly immortal femme fatale and her influence on the men with whom she gets to deal. Behind it: All sorts of occult goings-on, Lovecraftian horror and a thick dose of "Chinatown."
This is why we want to see it: The sex appeal of neo-noir classics à la "Chinatown" and "L. A. Confidential" coupled with Lovecraft and Argento references? Who wouldn't want to see something like that?
He did: See above: (Again) Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. There's something about these guys...!
They should make it happen: Brubaker teamed up with James Ellroy for the books, Roman Polanski to direct, in the lead Megan Fox can work off her image (but we'd also take Eva Green).
MORNING GLORIES
That's what it's about: About a very special boarding school that hides more secrets than - at first - answers behind its facade and is described by author Nick Spencer as a cross between "Runaways" and "Lost."
That's why we want to see it: because of said "Runaways" meets "Lost" pitch, to which we add a dash of "Veronica Mars" and "Riverdale" in good conscience.
He did it: Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma.
They're supposed to make it happen: Rob Thomas and Damon Lindelof. The up-and-coming stars slated for the six teenage lead roles will only become international stars over the course of ten series seasons
SAGA
That's what it's about: About an alien Romeo-&-Juliet lovers from two hostile races who find themselves on the run with their shared child through a universe that is also extremely complex in terms of personnel.
That's why we want to see it: Because "The Expanse" has made us want to see multi-layered and complex sci-fi universes on TV again.
He did it: (Again) Brian K. Vaughan, this time in collaboration with Fiona Staples
They are to implement it: Ronald D. Moore. Skin roles will be played by Scarlett Johansson as Alana and James McAvoy as Marko.
SWEET TOOTH
That's what it's about: A young human-animal hybrid with horns who, in the post-apocalyptic Wasteland, is accompanied by a would-be vagrant on his way to a supposed paradise for the hybrids.
That's why we want to see it: Because the mixture of - according to critics - "Mad Max" and "Bambi" resp. - so we - "The Road" and "The Walking Dead" has what it takes to be the new international series hit and human-animal hybrids are still missing in the series cosmos.
He did it: Comic genius Jeff Lemire.
They should make it happen: John Hillcoat as showrunner with either his "Road" star Viggo Mortensen or "Punisher" Jon Bernthal in the role of the drifter. Soundtrack, most definitely, Nick Cave.
JENNIFER BLOOD
That's what it's about: An all-American housewife with a husband and two kids who turns into a ruthless and murderous vigilante by night
That's why we want to see it: Because there are too few female characters of her caliber in the contemporary series circus and already the template foreshadows that here the limits could be pushed to the extreme in terms of sex and violence.
He made it: "Preacher"- and "The Boys"-creator Garth Ennis.
They should make it happen: Kathryn Bigelow with action-heroine Gina Carano in de starring role.
Text: Christopher Büchele