Neil Gaiman’s book, American Gods, is about the get the adaptation Gaiman’s loyal fans probably never thought they’d see.
Via a press release, we learn Starz has given a greenlight to FremantleMedia’s adaptation of Gaiman’s acclaimed contemporary fantasy novel. Bryan Fuller (“Hannibal,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Heroes”) and Michael Green (“The River,” “Kings,” “Heroes”), will pen and showrun the series. Gaiman will also executive produce the series, while FremantleMedia North America will produce.
The project was announced last year, but only now is it officially moving forward. Start of production is dependent on casting the lead role of “Shadow Moon,” which I’m sure will be watched very closely by the book’s fanatics.
For those of you unfamiliar with American Gods, it focuses on…
a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of biblical and 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.
Commented Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, “Almost 15 years ago, Neil Gaiman filled a toy box with gods and magic and we are thrilled to finally crack it open and play. We’re grateful to have STARZ above us and FremantleMedia at our backs as we appease the gods, American or otherwise.”