The feature film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s "The Sandman" comic book series is coming soon, and producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently provided updates on the project’s progress.
Comic book adaptations are all the rage in Hollywood right now. Marvel Studios has films planned all the way out through 2021, and, at the beginning of August 2014, Warner Bros. published a schedule announcing it has DC Comics movies in development through 2020, including:
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice – 03/25/16
Untitled DC Film – 08/05/16
Untitled DC Film – 06/23/17
Untitled DC Film – 11/17/17
Untitled DC Film – 03/23/18
Untitled Warner Animated Film – 05/25/18
Untitled DC Film – 07/27/18
Untitled WB Event Film – 11/16/18
Untitled DC Film – 04/05/19
Untitled Warner Animated Film – 05/24/19
Untitled DC Film – 06/14/19
Untitled DC Film – 04/03/20
Untitled DC Film – 06/19/20
Untitled WB Event Film – 11/20/20
"The Sandman" is a property that has a cult following, and it is viewed as one of the most influential series of all time. Fans of the series have clamored for a movie for years, and although both film and television adaptations were attempted in the past, none have successfully materialized. But in 2013, Warner Bros. announced that the studio had engaged "The Dark Knight" screenwriter David S. Goyer and Gordon-Levitt to produce a new "Sandman" adaptation.
Gordon-Levitt, a self-proclaimed fan of the comic, has the lead role in the forthcoming movie adaptation. And although some have speculated that he will also direct the film, that role has not been announced.
Gordon-Levitt, currently starring in "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For," dishes on the latest "Sandman" news during an interview with MovieFone:
“Right now we’re working on a script. It’s me and Goyer and the screenwriter and Neil Gaiman, as well as the good folks at DC and Warner Bros. It’s a really cool team of people. It’s a lot of the same people who worked on the Nolan 'Batman' movies. It’s really exciting. There’s not a script yet, we’re still kind of working it out because it’s such a complicated adaptation because 'Sandman' wasn’t written as novels. 'Sin City' was written as a novel. 'Sandman' is 75 episodic issues. There’s a reason people have been trying and failing to adapt 'Sandman' for the past 20 years.”
Other rumors suggest that Gaiman may direct the movie himself to ensure his vision is accurately brought to life. Previous attempts at bringing this series to the big screen have reportedly stalled because of Gaiman’s disapproval of his project’s treatment.
"The Sandman" is currently in pre-production. Although no official release date has been announced, the film is expected to hit theaters in December 2016.
