After the partnership with Marvel ended, Netflix continued to look for additional intellectual properties to bring in new subscribers. Already, they’ve brought us shows such as The Umbrella Academy, with season two in production, and The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance making its debut in August. Currently in the works is Magic: The Gathering, from the Russo Brothers, and several projects based on C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles Of Narnia.
As of this writing a formal deal has been signed: Neil Gaiman‘s The Sandman, originally published by DC’s Vertigo imprint, will be coming to Netflix.
The original comic book, for those who are unfamiliar with the character, made its debut in January 1989 and ran for 75 issues. The main character of the series was Dream, who also went by the name of Morpheus, one of The Endless, entities who are embodiments of natural forces. In Dream’s case, he rules over the world of dreams, which we enter as we sleep. Other members of The Endless included Destiny, Death, Destruction (who abandoned his post 300 years ago), Desire, Despair, and Delirium (formerly Delight).
Residents of The Dreaming included brothers Cain and Abel, who both served as hosts for DC’s House Of Mystery and House Of Secrets, Matthew The Raven, Lucien The Librarian, and Merv Pumpkinhead. The series also had its share of spin-offs, including Lucifer, which inspired the Netflix (formerly FOX) television series of the same name.
Many attempts have been made to adapt Sandman into both a feature film and as a television series. The last attempt was a feature film, planned to be starring and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Gordon-Levitt eventually left the project over creative differences with New Line Cinema.
Recently, Warner Brothers began shopping the TV pitch around to different outlets, including HBO, who turned it down due to the amount of money it would take to turn the property into a series. Netflix was interested and signed the deal with Warner Brothers. Though the cost has not been announced, Sandman will be the most expensive TV series that DC Entertainment has done.
Although full details are still not known, what we do know is that it’ll be straight-to-series. Allen Heinberg, who wrote the screenplay for Wonder Woman, will serve as showrunner for the series and will executive produce alongside David Goyer. It’s safe to assume that Sandman’s creator, Neil Gaiman, will also serve as executive producer. Already, Gaiman’s American Gods has been adapted as a series for Starz, and Good Omens has been adapted as a series for Amazon.
Everything else is speculation. Will they attempt to adapt the original storylines for the series? Will Cain, Abel, Lucien, Matthew, and the other residents of the Dreaming also be featured? We’re sure they’ll include Dream’s extremely popular sibling, Death.
Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, ABC’s The Catch, Grey’s Anatomy) is set to write and serve as showrunner on the straight-to-series drama. Gaiman, who created the ongoing monthly comic, will executive produce alongside David Goyer. Gaiman and Goyer were both attached to New Line’s most recent attempts to adapt Sandman for the big screen.
As more details are announced, SCIFI.radio will share those details with you – quite possibly after San Diego Comic Con, since we are sure Warner Brothers and Netflix are remaining tight lipped until that weekend arrives.
Watch this space, and sweet dreams.
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Gary DaBaum, SCIFI.radio DJ, writer, and all around nice guy, can be heard on SCIFI.radio. When not on the air, he can be found in the virtual world of Second Life, or spoiling his grand nephew.
