After the adaptation of the comic book Priest stalled, people didn’t think it would ever see the light, but it seems that ScreenGems is bringing the project back to the table with a new director.
Just in time to compete with Jonah Hex and Preacher comes the resurrected Priest. According to The Hollywood Reporter, ScreenGems is reviving the project and has brought on Scott Charles Stewart to direct Cory Goodman’s screenplay.
Hyung Min-woo’s manga has been kicking around for a few years — Andrew Douglas was once set to direct, with Gerard Butler and Steven Straight starring, but that version abruptly fell apart around the time 300 was released.
Compliants about Priest (a clergyman who turns his back on his church to hunt demons and all sorts of occult) being streamlined to just fight Vampires are still going to be a concern, but I wouldn’t worry about that. Vampires still count as demonesque, and clearly very popular right now (strike while the iron is hot) so I don’t think the series will hurt to focus on vampires as long as they make mention that vamps are not the only supernatural creature on the menu out there.
This leaves the door open for a sequel where he can take on all other sorts of supernatural baddies. This doesn seem to be similar to Preacher, so I will wait to see how it shapes up, or if this renewed effort has legs before I form excitement or not.
