Ian McShane Will Lead Starz' American Gods

Ian McShane will take the lead role of Mr. Wednesday in Bryan Fuller's highly anticipated adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel American Gods, Starz announced, fittingly, on Wednesday.

The character, in a release, is described as "a crafty and endlessly charismatic con man, full of perverse wisdom, curious magic, and grand plans. He hires ex-con Shadow Moon to be his bodyguard as he journeys across America, using his charms to recruit others like him as he prepares for the ultimate battle for power."

This is not the first time that McShane has helped bring one of Gaiman's works to the screen.

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"When you write a beloved character (beloved with, or despite, or because of all his faults) like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the internet trying to cast the role. I've seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does," Gaiman said in the statement. "I've already been lucky enough to have him in one film (he was bright blue in it, animated, and probably Polish). Now I count myself even luckier: he's made the journey from Lovejoy to American Gods. Yesterday was Super Tuesday. Today is Wonderful Wednesday."

Fuller and co-executive producer Michael Green were also excited about the casting. "Actor. Icon. And now god. It is a goddamn delight to be collaborating with the incomparable Ian McShane -- again and for the first time -- on a story about faith and belief, with the utmost faith and belief in Mr. McShane as our Mr. Wednesday," they said.