After previous attempts at a live-action adaptation have earlier failed, it looks like Neil Gaiman’s best-selling graphic novel series, “The Sandman” may finally be seeing the light of day.
It was recently reported that Netflix has recently green-lighted the adaptation of the hit franchise, which will also have Gaiman as co-creator alongside David S. Goyer (“Batman Begins”) as executive producer. Goyer will also be co-writing the pilot episode with “Wonder Woman” co-writer, Allan Heinberg.
Sources revealed that the series was originally scheduled to begin filming in May 2020, but had to halt production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to Gaiman, the series has begun its pre-production stage in October last year in the UK.
 |
| Tom Sturridge to play Dream/Morpheus |
Details surrounding “The Sandman” is still kept on the hush-hush, though it was revealed that Tom Sturridge of “The Hollow Crown” fame is in talks to play the lead role of Dream. On the other hand, producers are also reportedly in talks with Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things”) and Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones”) – the latter who previously worked on Gaiman’s BBC radio adaptation of “The Sleeper and the Spindle” – to star in the series.
It is noted that there are two major characters in “The Sandman” that have yet to be cast – the Endless’ Desire and Death.
 |
| Gwendoline Christie could be in talks to play Desire or Death |
The original series of “The Sandman” ran for 75 issues from 1989 to 1996 and revolves around Dream/Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, who subsequently learns that sometimes change is inevitable after being captured by an occult ritual and held prisoner for 70 years.
It is noted that Warner Bros. originally planned to adapt the graphic novel into a film with Roger Avary to direct, but the project didn’t go through due to creative differences. It was later reported that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be involved in the project, but withdrew from it following creative disagreements.