Well how’s this for timing? Just last night, after years of feeling like a failed geek/bibliophile for having never read Neil Gaiman’s modern fantasy classic American Gods, I finally got it on my Kindle. Before I could get around to any reading though, I spotted the news that Bryan “Hannibal” Fuller and Starz’s planned TV series adaptation had finally cast it’s lead. So, ladies and gentlemen and whatever Nick is, say hello to your Shadow Moon in British actor Rick Whittle!
Whittle is of course better known as fan favourite character Lincoln over on The 100, CW’s surprisingly damn good sci-fi show which you should really be watching. Especially now, because taking into consideration The 100’s complete willingness to kill off lead characters, and Whittle’s sure to be busy schedule, he may not be hanging around there too long (Oy vey!).
Still The 100‘s (possible) loss is American Gods‘ gain, as Whittle – who plays the muscled silent type well – seems to be a great choice for the taciturn badass Shadow. A sentiment that Neil Gaiman himself certainly agrees with.
“I’m thrilled that Ricky has been cast as Shadow. His auditions were remarkable. The process of taking a world out of the pages of a book, and putting it onto the screen has begun. American Gods is, at its heart, a book about immigrants, and it seems perfectly appropriate that Shadow will, like so much else, be Coming to America. I’m delighted Ricky will get to embody Shadow. Now the fun starts.”
Bryan Fuller and his c0-showrunner Michael Green echoed that statement.
“We searched every continent and country and all the islands in between for our Shadow Moon, and we are lucky to have found Ricky. Fans of the novel will find he has every bit of the heart of the character they fell in love with.”
In American Gods, Shadow Moon is the ex-con bodyguard to the mysterious conman Mr Wednesday, who realizes on his travels with his employer that a secret war has broken out between the gods of old mythology (like Odin) and the new gods who are all aspects of modern society like money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. In the novel, Shadow’s ethnicity is never explicitly stated, with Gaiman merely describing his complexion as akin to “coffee and cream”. This led some fans to be concerned that the adaptation would see a white guy cast in the role, when most fans have accepted Shadow as mixed-race. Back in 2014, Fuller assured fans though that “…if we cast a white man to play Shadow we would be the biggest assholes on television”. Clearly, they’re not assholes.
There’s still no word on any other castings in this show’s sprawling cast (though I’ve seen many a report calling for Bryan Cox as Mr. Wednesday) or exactly when American Gods will air on Starz, but I’m definitely excited for it. And even more motivated now to get to reading!
This article originally appeared on TheMovies.co.za
Last Updated: January 29, 2016
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:20
I tried watching thw 100s but it’s basically a Vampire Diaries on another planet…Or does that change after the first 10 eps?
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:26
Sounds good to me. I like Vampire Diaries. ;P
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:29
Ha! Have you watched this though?
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:33
I watched the pilot ages ago, enjoyed it, haven’t watched the series proper yet.
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:34
Think I saw the first 5/6 and then got distracted by SHIELD. When will that be back?! Too long!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:39
8 March. imdb is your friend. 😛
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:44
IsIMDB on your Steam friends list?
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:47
Yes, because it is a people and friend.
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:49
lol
Aries
January 29, 2016 at 10:57
It all goes to hell, really changed the teen drama in season two to something else, you will be shocked in certain parts
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:59
Yay, another Game of Who’s gonna die next ;P
Aries
January 29, 2016 at 11:15
Yep
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 29, 2016 at 10:21
Is this a console game?
😛
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:22
Yeah, a Wii tehehhe
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:35
It’s a TV game. 😛
Loftus
January 29, 2016 at 10:35
Nope mobile game, all them micro transactions just waiting to happen…..
Loftus
January 29, 2016 at 10:41
Ok so please explain this to me slowly, “gods” of old mythology comes and fights modern society “gods” like money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Have they read anything about “gods” of old mythology,they were basically students on a rampage party. O_o
I would be pissed Aries (“god” of war)looses to #tweety_god (media “god”).
Original Heretic
January 29, 2016 at 10:46
It makes more sense the way Gaiman explains it in the book. The more the gods are worshiped, the more power they have. The old gods haven’t been properly worshiped in centuries, so their power is waning. The new gods, like TV, get worshiped ALL the time, so they’re all young and cocky and powerful.
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:49
Ohh, that makes sense. Cool. Could be interesting.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:56
Is there an esports god causing explosions everywhere like Mr Torgue?
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:59
No, because it’s only a fringe thing *runs
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 29, 2016 at 10:59
That’s not very niche. I mean, nice.
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 11:04
Yesh? http://31.media.tumblr.com/4da3ec32ff49b1f66ebe183e4975670b/tumblr_muf74vtEVC1re0c97o1_400.gif
Loftus
January 29, 2016 at 10:53
But then by that Logic the older “gods” had longer time to be “gods” and more followers they should whip them youngens good.
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 10:59
Not if people have moved on. I think they have to be actively worshiped, if it’s anything like Diskworld…
Original Heretic
January 29, 2016 at 11:01
Used to have followers. But who these days actually still worships Odin, Thor, Loki, Zeus? People treat like the myths and legends, not as real entities.
The older gods are hanging on by their fingernails, desperately trying to stay relevant.
There’s a scene in the book with an old Babylonian goddess of fertility that, if they bring it to the series, is going to shock quite a few people!
RinceThis
January 29, 2016 at 11:07
Loki FWT!
Original Heretic
January 29, 2016 at 10:47
Great book this. Really hope they don’t screw it up. Gaiman’s stuff doesn’t always translate well to film/TV.
Loftus
January 29, 2016 at 10:49
Based on book, now i am interested. I have read only one or two books that sucked compared to a movie/series. I am with you in hoping that they don’t screw it up
Original Heretic
January 29, 2016 at 11:02
Well if Gaiman has an active hand in it, I’m more hopeful.
There’s a movie coming this year or next year, based on one of his short stories. Talking to Girls at Parties. Should also be VERY interesting, it was quite a bizarre story.
Milesh Bhana
January 29, 2016 at 12:03
I want to know who plays Bilquis (sp?).