Neil Gaiman's trippy fantasy novel American Gods is finally coming to TV thanks to the folks over at stars. Ricky Whittle is set to play lead character Shadow Moon, but who could possibly play a part as epic as the Norse god Odin, who hires him while using the alias Mr. Wednesday? Ian Mc-Freaking-Shane, that's who.
Ian McShane's credits are a list almost longer than the book itself, including JOHN WICK, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, DEATH RACE, KUNG FU PANDA, Lovejoy, and Deadwood. He'll also be appearing in season six of Game of Thrones, so if there's anyone seasoned enough to bring the gravity and abrasiveness of a character as iconic Mr. Wednesday, it's pretty much McShane or nobody. Keep your eye on this one!
American Gods is about:
a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of mythological roots from around the world steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Its protagonist, Shadow Moon, is an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday, a conman but in reality one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation to battle the new deities.
American Gods is being overseen by Hannibal's Bryan Fuller and ALIEN: COVENANT co-writer Michael Green. David Slade (Hannibal) is directing the pilot.