‘John Wick’ Creator Finds His Next Action Thriller Franchise With Killer Comic Book Adaptation

Keanu Reeves has seemingly now found the perfect John Wick replacement for himself, and at the same time, it looks like Baba Yaga creator Derek Kolstad has too. The writer and director, who is also known for creating the Nobody franchise and the upcoming Normal, all starring Bob Odenkirk, will helm the live-action adaptation of the upcoming comic book, Ordained. And he’s found the perfect Oscar-nominated actor to take the lead.

During the recent Bad Idea Comics panel at New York Comic Con, Kolstad reportedly let slip that The Penguin star Colin Farrell will take the lead in the action thriller, which follows a Catholic priest who finds himself the target of the Irish mafia. Of course, this priest just so happens to be a former Navy SEAL.

According to BleedingCool.com, Kolstad revealed that Farrell will lead his adaptation of Ordained, with the comic coming courtesy of Bad Idea Comics. Kolstad has history with the publisher, having co-written the sci-fi comic “Planet Death” alongside “Ordained” author Robert Venditti, and “immediately called the publisher” regarding a live-action take on “Ordained,” telling them “he was adapting and they’d have to “pry it from his cold, dead hands.””

Colin Farrell Will Face Vicious Gangsters, Corrupt Cops & His Own Inner Demons in ‘Ordained’

John Baer/©FilmDistrict/courtesy Everett Collection
 

“Ordained” #1 is due for release on December 10, 2025. Written by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti (“Superman ‘78,” “Planet Death”) with art by Trevor Hairsine (“DCEASED,” “X-Men”) and ten-time Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart (“Hellboy,” “Star Wars”), Ordained promises “to deliver a brutal, no-holds-barred action crime comic that will leave you breathless.”

While further details regarding Kolstad’s adaptation remain under wraps, the idea of an actor of Colin Farrell’s proven talent as a priest with a particular set of skills going up against the Irish mafia is more than enough to warrant Ordained being etched into the minds of action fans everywhere. For now, you can check out the official synopsis for Ordained below, courtesy of Bad Idea Comics…

Father Royston Craig became a priest late in life but he’s determined to make up for lost time. Along with his regular duties at his St. Louis church, he also performs the prayers of the last rites to patients on their deathbeds at the nearby hospital.

One day, he’s called to give these sacraments to Cormac Byrne, who doctors say won’t last the night. Byrne, like many others, has turned to God only at the end; he hasn’t been to church in decades. Father Roy is eager to hear his confession, but what starts as petty crime from a lifetime ago quickly becomes a horrifying litany of gangland violence and killings.

Cormac Byrne is no ordinary man. He is, in fact, the head of the Irish mafia. God offers forgiveness to all who truly repent, and Father Roy completes his task by absolving Byrne of his mortal sins, leaving the man to die at peace… until the next morning. When Byrne makes a miraculous medical recovery. No longer at death’s door, Byrne is quick to return to his old ways. It’s business as usual and he’s got loose ends to tie up. First things first: KILL THE PRIEST who now knows where all the bodies are buried.

But Father Roy’s collar wasn’t always white, and Byrne is going to learn the hard way that Father Royston Craig was once Chief Petty Officer Royston Craig, a former Navy SEAL who found his faith in the midst of battle. Now Father Roy must face vicious gangsters, corrupt cops, and his own inner demons if he is to survive. And while he will be forced to tap into a violent skill set he thought never to again entertain, the one thing Father Roy will not do… is kill.

Release Date

October 24, 2014

Runtime

101 minutes

Writers

Derek Kolstad