Neil Gaiman Says His SANDMAN Series Was Ready To Go Into Production Before The Coronavirus Hit
Neil Gaiman and David Goyer (Man of Steel, Dark Knight Trilogy) and their team have been hard at work developing a series adaptation of The Sandman for Netflix. The development of the series was moving forward at full power and was ready to move into production right before the coronavirus hit and shut down film and TV productions all over the world.
Gaiman offered an update on the show on his Tumblr blog, writing:
"It’s going really well, except it’s kind of hibernating right now until people start making TV again. The scripts for the first season are written, casting had started, directors hired, sets were being built. Everything was ready to go into production, and then we moved into a pause. As soon as the world is ready to make TV drama, Sandman will move smoothly back into being made. In the meantime, we are taking the opportunity to get the scripts as good as we can."
Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, The Catch, Grey's Anatomy) is writing the show and will also serve as showrunner. He has been working closely with Gaiman and Goyer on the show and they have plotted two seasons so far.
The Sandman comic series was originally created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. But it wasn't until Gaiman came along and gave us his version of the comic that it really exploded. The 75+ issue comic arc ran from January of 1989 to March of 1996. A lot of fans have been excited about this comic getting a proper adaptation and it’s been in and out of development over the years with various talent attached to it. I’m happy to see that it’s finally going to happen!
The story focuses on Morpheus, the Lord of the Dreaming, a deity who personifies dreams. Gaiman also introduced the Endless, a group of powerful brothers and sisters named Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire, and Delirium (as well as Dream). The synopsis for the series reads:
A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic–and human–mistakes he’s made during his vast existence.
When previously talking about the project, Channing Dungey, VP, Original Series, Netflix said in a statement:
“We’re thrilled to partner with the brilliant team that is Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg to finally bring Neil’s iconic comic book series, The Sandman, to life onscreen,” said Channing Dungey, VP, Original Series, Netflix in a statement when Netflix announced the series. “From its rich characters and storylines to its intricately built-out worlds, we’re excited to create an epic original series that dives deep into this multi-layered universe beloved by fans around the world.”
The first season of The Sandman will consist of 11 episodes, and the initial plan was to release it in 2021. Are you excited about The Sandman television series?