Bad news for folks who like their mythology hyper-violent and super stylized,HannibalduoBryan FullerandMichael Greenhave departed the Starz seriesAmerican Godsas showrunners ahead of Season 2. Deadline reports that the duo informed the cast and crew of their departure today.
The split is said to be a result of clashing between the creative duo and production company FreemantleMedia after Fuller and Green pushed to increase the series already substantial budget, with the Season 2 per-episode budget reportedly nearing $10 million. No replacement showrunner has been named yet, though the report notes that half of the Season 2 scripts have already been written for what was intended to be a mid-2018 premiere. No word on if the creative switch-up will push back the premiere.
Based onNeil Gaiman’s acclaimed supernatural novel,American GodsstarsIan McShaneandThe 100alumRicky Whittleas a mismatched pair embroiled in a mythological battle between the gods of the old world and the new, and it’s visually striking first season earned the series heaps of critical acclaim, including aglowing review here at Collider, and a strong ratings start. It was renewed for a second season in May, early in the first season’s run.
Fuller is keeping his dance card busy as usual, and already has a reboot ofAmazing Storiessetup at Amazon. As for Green, the screenwriter is having a heck of year after penning the scripts toLogan,Blade Runner 2049andMurder on the Orient Expressin addition to his work onAmerican Gods. He’s already set up to pen the script for theOrient ExpresssequelDeath on the Nileand he’s also developingBrian K. Vaughn’s celebrated graphic novelY: The Last Manto series for FX.
Update:Gaiman clarifies his role with the continuing series:
Gaiman serves as an executive producer onAmerican Gods, and Starz renewed the show for a second season this past May. The 8-episode first season also starsEmily Browning,Ian McShane,Gillian Anderson,Kristin Chenoweth,Peter Stormare,Cloris Leachman,Mousa Kraish,Omid Abtahi,Orlando Jones,Demore Barnes,Chris Obi,Jonathan Tucker,Corbin Bernsen, andBetty Gilpin.American GodsSeason 2 premieres sometime in 2018.
