According to a report from Variety, Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods” is moving forward with production of a live action series on Starz. Gaiman’s novel follows on ex-con Shadow Moon as he is released from prison and subsequently swept up in a war between the gods of old and a new set of American gods born of obsession with celebrity, technology, and modern interests.
These gods exist through the concept of tulpa which translates roughly to “conjured thing” increasing or decreasing in power based on the number and conviction of their believers. As a result the old gods (Odin, Anubis, Anansi, et al) are waning in power while the new gods become increasingly powerful.
The show is being written by Bryan Fuller (“Dead Like Me,” “Hannibal”) and Michael Green (“Smallville,” “Heroes”), the pair will also serve as show runners.
“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.” Said Gaiman of the announcement.
Starz is turning to social media for assistance with the casting using the hashtag #CastingShadow for suggestions on who should helm the central role.
This isn’t Gaiman’s first at bat on the screen, previous works including “Coraline,” and “Stardust” have both seen big screen adaptations. Gaiman also created the mini-series “Neverwhere” which aired on the BBC in 1996 as well as writing “Mirrormask” for the Jim Henson Company.
Production will begin on “American Gods” once casting is finalized.
If you just can’t wait to see it on the screen, an audiobook is available containing Gaiman’s preferred version including an additional 12,000 words not available in previous publications.