Tweet

In a move that would make Executive Editor Neil Miller’s mother upset, Gerard Butler is apparently no longer involved with the Screen Gems production of Priest – the adaptation of the comic of the same name. Now, Ms. Miller – who is a saint – won’t be able to ogle Mr. Butler on screen in Priestly vestments – the sexiest of all religious outfits.

According to Rope of Silicon, Paul Bettany is stepping in to take the lead role as a Priest who must go on a quest to battle vampires that have stolen his niece. And, yes, it’s set in the west. Vampires. Religion. Old West. Basically, it’s a comic and a story that was tailor-made for my taste, and the inclusion of Bettany only bolsters that.

The flick is being directed by Scott Stewart who worked with Bettany on the forthcoming Legion – a film about the archangel Michael who has to stop the Apocalypse after God loses faith in humanity.

Personally, this is some of the best news I’ve read in a while. The films have a shot at being the same middling crap that other comic adaptations are, but the epic nature of the religious story mixed with a lot of sci-fi is such a satisfying combination. It also gives me a reason to make hilariously inappropriate puns which I promise are on the way the further along this project gets.

Just to let it sink in: A priest battling vampires in the old west.

Awesome.

What do you think? Is Paul Bettany the right man for the job? Are you sad to see Gerard Butler off the project?