And Mr. Gaiman replied with this because he is a nice fellow.
Well, turns out not only was I prescient, but I was patient, even though I didn’t need to be. Because the news came out today!
Official News: Starz has greenlit American Gods
Starz has given a greenlight to FremantleMedia North America’s (FMNA) adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed contemporary fantasy novel American Gods. 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. FremantleMedia North America will produce. Start of production is dependent on casting the lead role of “Shadow Moon.”
Y’all. Production is gonna start as soon as they find Shadow.
#CastingShadow Just Became My Life
Let the rumor mill commence. I’ll try not to bother our favorite PR folks at Starz (and Neil Gaiman himself) with questions and suggestions, but casting this character is a big freaking deal, and I am HERE FOR IT.
Starz CEO Chris Albrecht said, “STARZ is committed to bring American Gods to its legions of fans. With our partners at FremantleMedia and with Bryan, Michael and Neil guiding the project, we hope to create a series that honors the book and does right by the fans, who have been casting it in their minds for years. The search for Shadow begins today!”
Fan favorites: Jason Momoa, Jesse Williams, Joe Manganiello, Taylor Kitsch, Dominic Purcell, Dwayne (the actor formerly known as The Rock) Johnson, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Early. Let’s discuss.
Shadow is described as big and dark, a quiet, unassuming ex-con who racial hertiage is a bit ambiguous … and for good reason. Other characters will wonder about his ethnicity as they come into contact with him; it’s a major plot point. Please don’t tell me we will be settling for Jared Padalecki.
What Neil Gaiman had to say: “I am thrilled, scared, delighted, nervous and a ball of glorious anticipation. The team that is going to bring the world of American Gods to the screen has been assembled like the master criminals in a caper movie: I’m relieved and confident that my baby is in good hands. Now we finally move to the exciting business that fans have been doing for the last dozen years: casting our Shadow, our Wednesday, our Laura…”
Excited doesn’t begin to describe it.
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.”
Craig Cegielski, Co-CEO, FremantleMedia North America said “’American Gods’ has been the passion project for us at FMNA since Stefanie Berk brought this exceptional piece of literature to the company when she joined two years ago. Chris, Carmi and the entire team at Starz are committed partners, sharing the same creative vision and ambition for this series. Neil’s novel is a brilliant work of art, and together with the talented Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, we are committed to delivering a series that is nothing short of extraordinary.”
I definitely think Starz is a perfect playground for this project. Power and Outlander and Black Sails have proven they’re ready for incredible passion projects like this one.
Post: Why American Gods Is Good News
If you haven’t read American Gods, it’s a perfect novel to lose yourself in this summer. Get to know the characters now before casting starts being announced. The story follows Shadow as he becomes the bodyguard for the conman Mr. Wednesday. The two cross the nation to gather forces for a brewing war between the old and new gods … the mythos of old versus the new idols of contemporary society. But hey … even if you aren’t into reading the book, get excited about this show.
In the meantime, go tweet @AmericanGodsSTZ and @STARZ_Channel using the hashtag #CastingShadow and give them your favorite suggestions for tall dark and handsome gentle giants to play Shadow.
