American Jesus – For more than a decade, comic book adaptations have been Hollywood’s most successful source of revenue.
For casual viewers, the very mention of a comic book adaptation brings up ideas of Marvel or DC.
In contrast, independent comics have existed for as long as the two comic kings.
Wanted, Kingsman, and Kick-Ass all became mainstream successes, yet few realize they were all prompted from comic book pages – and by the same author, no less: Mark Millar.
Another adaptation of Millar’s work, this time of American Jesus, one of his most undervalued works, is in the works.
The comic
American Jesus, originally titled Chosen, is one of Mark Millar’s most intriguing and disputed works.
Dark Horse Comics, for the first book in the series, published it in 2004 and drawn by Peter Gross.
The graphic novel is divided into three chapters and follows a twelve-year-old boy who survives an accident.
He quickly recognizes himself as the resurrected Jesus Christ, capable of turning water into wine, treating the sick, and resurrecting the dead.
Yet, the second coming of Christ corresponds with an impending and catastrophic disaster.
After then, the comic book series was reprinted under the now-famous title American Jesus.
Millar later released American Jesus: The New Messiah, a 15-year-later followup series.
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The adaptation
Mark Millar’s works have already been adapted for film by major studios.
He’s already had two solo features and two Marvel movies out in cinemas (Logan was based on his Old Man Logan comic).
For a long time, American Jesus has been in the works.
After acquiring his Millarworld imprint in 2017, Netflix snatched it up.
The program has been in the works for quite some time.
Rather than properly translating American Jesus, Netflix altered the series, ostensibly with Millar’s agreement.
A year after the acquisition of Millarworld, the first slate of adaptations was revealed, with American Jesus among the top titles.
“Multilingual (Spanish/English) series American Jesus follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he’s returned as Jesus Chris,” the announcement wrote.
“He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk, and, perhaps, even raise the dead. How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?”
The Chosen One (El Elegido in Spanish) will not be tied to the Netflix Brazilian thriller series.
Production
Everardo Gout, who also directed the famous horror-thriller The Purge, directs The Chosen One.
Gout is joined by his brother Leopoldo, who helped write and produce the series.
Mark Millar expressed an optimistic prediction for 2021 output, saying:
“The development for ‘American Jesus’ is coming along beautifully in the talented and capable hands of Everardo Gout and Leopoldo Gout.”
“I’m blown away by the creative choices that Netflix has allowed us, and particularly since this series will feature Spanish and English dialogue.”
The Chosen One
Development on the production of American Jesus began in 2012, according to author Mark Millar, but it was first billed as a film.
“Unusually for me, it’s a little more quiet and a little more considered,” he said when asked if it was leaning towards either horror or epic fantasy.
“The sequels are like that, too.”
According to Millar, The Chosen One is a horror thriller with elements of a coming-of-age storyline.
“[It] has a Stand by Me vibe, a kid like you or I who likes Star Wars, video games, and girls in his class suddenly finding out he has a tremendous destiny.”
“This is going to be an absolute beauty.”
A billboard featuring the protagonist looking at a power line shaped like a cross was unveiled as the first glimpse of The Chosen One a few hours ago.
The Chosen One stars Tenoch Huerta from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Dianna Agron from Glee.
Millarworld also revealed the premise of the show:
“A little kid finds out that the reason his mother disappeared with him and they’re hiding out in a small town is because he’s the returned Jesus Christ and they’re doing everything they can to stay alive so he can grow up and face the Antichrist in the City of Megiddo as per the biblical prophecy.”
