If you've looked through my blog you'll have probably gathered that I have a thing for Neil Gaiman (author of my favourite book) and its very hard for me to pass up an opportunity to share news about him and it so here's another snippet:
Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS being set up at HBO by Playtone
HBO is currently in talks to buy the rights to Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods. If the deal is finalized, it will be the second fantasy series for the network, aside from Game of Thrones. Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman were introduced to the project by Robert Richardson, and they in turn brought it to HBO. Richardson and Gaiman plan to write the pilot together.
Richardson just completed cinematography on Hugo Cabret, his other films include Shutter Island, Inglourious Basterds and Kill Bill. He won Oscars for his work on The Aviator and JFK, and is a regular collaborator with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone. Gods will be his first significant scripting effort. Gaiman is known for The Sandman, and scripting Beowulf. His novels Stardust and Coraline have been turned into films, and Neil Jordan is directing an adaption of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
American Gods, was published in 2002 and won both the Stoker and Hugo Award among other prizes; The story "details a battle between two sets of gods. One consists of the traditional gods and mythological creatures who got their power because people throughout history believed in them. They are losing steam as people's beliefs wane and are in danger of being supplanted by a new set of gods who reflect America's preoccupation with technological advancements and obsessions with media, celebrity, technology and drugs. The protagonist is an ex-con who becomes the traveling partner of a conman who turns out to be one of the older gods trying to recruit troops to battle the upstart deities."
Playtone has a great relationship with HBO. Big Love, is ending this season and they have have had success with the miniseries The Pacific, John Adams, Band of Brothers and From The Earth To The Moon. This sounds like and epic show that HBO will be a perfect fit for.
Have your read this book? What are your thoughts on this news?
Don't scream, but I have never read a Neil Gaiman book. I've heard such great things about American Gods though, so I think that's where I'll start first. I'll let you know what I think!
ReplyDeleteAnd, ok, I blogged today:)
I screamed untol I hearda pop in my head. How can you not have....the important thing is you're about to redeem yourself.....do let me know.LOL - heading over to you now.
ReplyDeleteI have never read this book. But the premise is cool. That's great that they might make a show out of it. I'm sure all of the fans are stoked. (=
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by for A-Z, but a HUGE Gaiman fan! Very excited to see American Gods hit HBO. I wonder how involved he will be in the process? Stardust kind of fell flat for me at the movies, though I loved the book. And don't even get me started on how bad the old BBC version of Neverwhere was. Such a shame - would really like to see it redone with some money behind it - it is probably my favorite book of his.
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging - I'll be following!
Mickey I am so worried about that as well because I don't think he was very involved with those two, at least that's what I gather from his interviews and I will lose my mind if they butcher American Gods...... :(
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things about Neil Gaiman, but haven't read any of his stuff yet. If you had to pick, which book would you recommend that I read first?
ReplyDeleteOh Kendal that's so hard but for me it has to be American God's. If you find the size challenging i.t.o time get it as an audio. the first time I had in as audio and it was a engrossing even then. I'm waiting for the arrival of his 10th Anniversary edition of his book here (July).
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