HBO developing Neil Gaiman’s American Gods as potential series
Deadline reports that HBO has begun development on adapting Neil Gaiman’s award-winning novel ‘American Gods.’
Tom Hanks and Playtone partner Gary Goetzman brought the project to the network after it was brought to them by famed cinematographer Robert Richardson (‘Shutter Island,’ ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ ‘Kill Bill’). The plan is for Richardson and Gaiman to write the pilot together.
Playtone is the production company behind ‘The Pacific,’ ‘Big Love’ and ‘Band of Brothers.’
‘American Gods,’ lays out 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 travelling partner of a conman who turns out to be one of the older gods trying to recruit troops to battle the upstart deities.