Starz’s American Gods has  finally arrived. Sunday’s series premiere brought the adaptation of Neil Gaiman‘s novel to vivid life with all the stylized and dreamy touches such a story needs. The messaging at the core of the tale is the Old Gods vs. the New Gods. The old is fading, being overwritten by the nearly universal investment of humans in modern luxuries such as media and tech. In the book, the New Gods are the villains. But behind-the-scenes, the sort of technology associated with the New Gods is used in tandem with more practical techniques to make the magic happen.
During the premiere, American Gods showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green and co-producer Loretta Ramos took to Twitter to share a look at the making of the inaugural episode (which, if you weren’t aware, had some WTF moments). Let’s take a peek behind the scenes.
We’ll start at the beginning with a look at the building of the boat featured in the opening scenes. We learned how the Vikings brought Odin over to America with them.
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858850210746904576
Odin just hanging out in the props room, “whittling" away the time. #AmericanGods pic.twitter.com/jLxgTjBWEj
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 1, 2017
Flipping over to Shadow and his haunting dreams in the Bone Orchard with the buffalo, Fuller shared some concept art. Shadow’s dreamscape is more than bizarre; it’s heavy with weight and foreshadowing.
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858852248633319424
Early concept art for #AmericanGods. The evolving White Buffalo… pic.twitter.com/BjVsKF6Muy
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 1, 2017
How about the charming Mr. Wednesday? The casting of Ian McShane in the role was an excellent decision, and Green shared some of McShane’s wardrobe feedback:
Early on #McShane offered our brilliant wardrobe team this challenge:
"Mr Wednesday should not wear a suit
Find the coat
Find the manâ€
1/2— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 1, 2017
…So they built him one.
Photo from the first moment he tried it on.
Hasn't taken it off since.
2/2@BryanFuller @neilhimself pic.twitter.com/HPVCZC5Zju— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 1, 2017
Important note about Wednesday’s car:
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858860207228698625
We’ll pause for a stop at Jack’s Crocodile Bar. This is where Wednesday and Shadow cemented their agreement and ran into the unlucky Mad Sweeney. Please note the “gater balls” on the menu.
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858857751102898176
Mad Sweeney’s gold coin for the taking! #AmericanGods BTS@schreiber_pablo pic.twitter.com/4iCb6uEtE2
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 1, 2017
The premiere introduced Bilquis (and hey, we have a primer on inspiration for her right this way) and in the book, her home is described as being the color of raw liver. It’s the sort of description that practically brings the color to life, and they carefully considered which shade would be just right:
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858858383771709440
Let’s move on and take a look at Bruce Langley‘s Technical Boy. He’s the first of the New Gods introduced in the series, and he’s no one to be trifled with–though you probably got that from Shadow Moon’s sound beating. The danger of the New Gods an important point to absorb as you watch Shadow and Wednesday pursue their goals. Anyway. Technical Boy. Fuller shared these digital models and look development for the Godflesh:
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858861531076767744
A design of his terrifying face-grabber:
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858861028620222464
A behind the scenes looks at Langley:
#AmericanGods BTS@BruceJLangley sitting for his Sladar tests. pic.twitter.com/2bXbbggak9
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858860524951412736
And here are some sketches for Technical Boy’s lackeys, The Children:
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858862285741187072
With costumes designed by Suttirat Larlarb, they’re very reminiscent of the Droogs in A Clockwork Orange.
Shadow got thrashed shortly after his encounter with Technical Boy in the pouring “rain.”
#AmericanGods BTS On Location
Rain machine movie magic
@AmericanGodsSTZ pic.twitter.com/cPaJUCfQi4— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 1, 2017
One last thing that’s a spoiler if you haven’t read the book. (That’s your cue to stop reading this article if you don’t want spoilers.) Fuller shared some art of Shadow throwing the coin from Mad Sweeney down into Laura’s grave. It sure looks like something interesting is happening as it goes under the surface, huh?
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/858862842593689600
What did you think of the American Gods premiere? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.
Images: Starz
