Our prayers are being answered now that AMC’s Preacher is going full speed ahead with its casting process, proving that this isn’t just some dream we’re having after a weekend bender in a small Texas town. The co-lead role Tulip was cast earlier today, and now we know that Ian Colletti is going to be playing the severely disfigured Eugene Root, more affectionately known as Arseface.
Here’s what Colletti looks like, although it’s assumed that he’ll be completely unrecognizable after all the prosthetics and makeup.
As important as Arseface is to the Preacher storyline, I halfway expected AMC to force series developers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to change it up in some way to avoid the more troublesome aspects of his story and appearance. And his description, according to Deadline, might actually be evidence of that. He’s described as having a sunshiney attitude and as being the nicest kid around, despite his town treating him like a monster because of his face. As well, he holds the titular preacher Jesse Custer in sub-idol status. But it’s this part that causes me to raise my eyebrows. (Something that Arseface has a little problem with.)
However, he is troubled by something terrible he’s done in the past — something he fears might have turned God himself against him.
Here’s the part where I talk about possible spoilers that non-comic readers might want to skip and just jump to the next paragraph. It’s unclear from that account whether the source of Arseface’s disfigurement will be explained or if it will stay a mystery for some reason. In the comics, Eugene’s earlier days involve an abusive father and a bunch of bullies, and his adoration of Kurt Cobain eventually leads him to attempt suicide by shooting himself in the face. This brings about some pretty disgusting events and his off-kilter bond with Jesse. I certainly hope they don’t alter this part of the story too much.
Anyway, Preacher centers on Annville, Texas preacher Jesse, who becomes possessed by a half-demon/half-angel entity called Genesis, which allows him godlike powers as he hunts down God, who has abandoned Heaven. By his side are his hardcore sometimes-lover Tulip O’Hare, who will be played by Ruth Negga, and the hard-drinking Irish vampire Cassidy, who has yet to be cast. Dominic Cooper has been rumored to take on the role of Jesse, but it hasn’t been confirmed.
Colletti’s career started off with a spot on Blue’s Clues and then shifted to features with appearances in Phoebe in Wonderland and Baby Mama. He had a starring role in the fantasy drama Jimmy, and could then be found on the short-lived Fox dramedy Rake. As far as we can tell, this will be the first time he place a character whose face looks like an arsehole.
