If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman's book "American Gods" and don't recognize the above-seen character as the New God, Technical Boy, don't worry ... you're not alone. It's perhaps the biggest change from the books to the Starz series, from co-showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green. Gaiman's 2001 publication envisioned the character as more of a stereotypically fat, basement-dwelling computer geek of a pimply faced teenager obsessed with The Matrix and all things in his digital domain. The modern Technical Boy has come into his own and Bruce Langley is bringing him to life.

The first look at Technical Boy comes courtesy of EW, though it is but the briefest glimpse of how the character will appear in American Gods. Fuller and Green commented on their redesign of Technical Boy, what influenced his new appearance, and how he'll evolve throughout the series. Perhaps we'll get a realization of Gaiman's vision on the small screen after all!


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Image via Starz

Here's what Fuller had to say about their approach to bringing Technical Boy out of the book and onto the set:

“We needed to establish a frame of reference for the aesthetic of the Technical Boy, and [director] David Slade, I believe, was the first one to say ‘Commodore 64.' That will mean more to the audience once they understand more of the Technical Boy’s story — why the Commodore 64 and that era of technology is so informative for the look of him and the story and the general aesthetic when we first sample his world.”

Here's a better look at the New God:

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Image via Starz

Though Technical Boy is a New God - the youngest of a group that also includes Media, The Black Hats, and The Intangibles - he'll appear as “more punk than god” in this series:

“Technology has gone from something that was the province of the young to something ubiquitous and in your pocket, and the aesthetics of that have changed,” says co-showrunner Michael Green. “Technology very much has a tie into fashion, which goes in cycles and changes overnight. What’s in fashion, technologically, and what’s in fashion, in fashion, are minute to minute and you can’t possibly keep up. And we look to the Technical Boy to be someone who’s very much a victim of both. The idea of feeling like you have to feed the beast of what’s new and what’s fresh is very much in his mind.

 

"Nothing he’s wearing could have been accomplishable 15 years ago when the book first came out. His clothes reflect modern methods that even we were introduced to for this [show].”

And just as the character has undergone a modernization, what you see isn't all you'll get:

“Every time you see the Technical Boy, he’ll be in something else, completely different regalia,” teases Green. “Like a lot of people in that period, he’s constantly trying on new looks and new personas.”


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Image via Showtime

In related American Gods news, Dane Cook has just been reported by Deadline as having landed the role of Robbie Burton in the series. Though it's a small part, it's a somewhat important one since Robbie is the friend of protagonist Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle). The two work together in a gym called the Muscle Farm, and when Shadow is sent off to prison, Robbie is left to hold down the homefront. Cook's an interesting pick for the role, though I'm not sure how much screentime he'll get; however, there's sure to be one dramatic scene down the road that will have people talking.

What do you think about Technical Boy's new look? How's Cook being cast as Robbie sit with you? Let us know in the comments below!

For more on American Gods, take a look at some of our recent coverage:

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Image via Starz
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Image via Starz

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Image via Starz
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Image via Starz

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