Earlier this year we heard that HBO might be picking up the pieces of the failed Preacher feature film, and turning the Vertigo comic into a TV series instead. Needless to say, it’s a great comic, and with the quality of HBO behind it, I’ve been excited about the prospects. Very excited indeed.

Well now it looks like we’ve got some confirmation that HBO is developing the show, although the names involved may worry a few people. Mark Steven Johnson is currently writing the pilot… that’s right, the same guy who brought us Daredevil, Elektra and Ghost Rider movies. Howard Deutch will direct it; his credits include Pretty In Pink, The Whole Ten Yards, and the pilot episode of Melrose Place. Strangely, this isn’t the first time Johnson and Deutch have collaborated on a project; they were the writer/director team for Grumpier Old Men! So are we to assume this will be a comedy? Well it definitely has plenty of dark humour in it… but I’m still a bit apprehensive. No word yet on casting, although James Marsden (who was previously attached to the Preacher movie) is mostly likely out.