Like they say, any news is good news…

MTV News spoke to Sam Mendes this weekend about his new film “Away We Go,” and was able to get him to spill some details about the status of the live-action version of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion’s epic comic book series, “Preacher.”

Although Mendes didn’t say much about the film that’s been in development hell for quite some time, he did say that screenwriter John August is working hard with his first draft.

“He’s doing pretty well,” Mendes told MTV News, “He’s about halfway through. There’s a long way to go yet, but I’m very, very hopeful. I think it could be amazing.”

Mendes also added that he can envision “Preacher” as a franchise, and that he will try to make the first film self-contained.

“You have to try and get one really good and then, if you’re lucky, you can make a second or a third,” said Mendes. “You can create something that’s going to run. But I think that there’s certainly more than enough for one good movie and plenty left over.”

Source: MTV Splash