Fox Orders Pilot for Neil Gaiman’s Lucifer

Fox has greenlit a pilot episode of Lucifer, based on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman spinoff of the same name. Swelling with confidence from the success of Gotham, Fox is going back to the well for more comic book inspired goodness. Rather than try a superhero spin on the cop drama genre, Bleeding Cool reports that Lucifer will be a “slice-of-life drama in, out of Hell and into Los Angeles.”

With so many comic book shows coming soon or already here, Lucifer will need to rely on more than upsetting conservatives to get buzz. Fortunately, The pilot will be directed by Tom Kapinos, the creator of Showtime’s Californication. Hopefully Fox will let him off the leash a bit for the pilot, and we’ll get something wholly unique on network TV.

The Lucifer graphic novel ran from 2000 – 2006, with its protagonist awesomely modeled after David Bowie. The series follows the fallen angel after he grows bored of ruling Hell and decides to retire to LA, leaving Hell in the care of others. Here he tries to remain outside of the War with Heaven and Hell’s politics, but keeps finding himself dragged back in.

The premise shows a lot of potential, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Fox doesn’t let this one wither and die. Likely meant to replace Sleepy Hollow and attract fans of NBC’s Constantine, Lucifer could be a feather in Fox’s cap.