SANDMAN Character Breakdowns Suggest Some Big Changes To Neil Gaiman's Comic Series

SANDMAN Character Breakdowns Suggest Some Big Changes To Neil Gaiman's Comic Series

It's been a while since we've any solid updates on Netflix's planned adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, but some new character breakdowns have now provided us with some intriguing details...

By MarkCassidy - Apr 10, 2020 05:04 AM EST
Filed Under: The Sandman
Source: The Illuminerdi

Production on Netflix's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's acclaimed DC vertigo comic series The Sandman was originally scheduled for May, but with the COVID-19 shutdown still in full effect, that's obviously looking less and less likely. Updates have been few and far between since the show was officially announced last year, but we do have some new details on three of the supporting characters which would seem to suggest some big changes to the source material.

The first arc of The Sandman, Preludes and Nocturnes, begins in 18th Century England with the capture of Morpheus by the Lord Magus of the Order of the Ancient Mysteries, Roderick Burgess. When he dies some 30 years later, his son Alex takes over and keeps Dream prisoner. Burgess also had a mistress named Ethel Cripps (the mother of Doctor Destiny), who steals Morpheus’ helm, pouch, and ruby.

Dream escapes by the end of the first issue and none of these guys feature beyond that, but all three are listed as "important recurring characters," which obviously implies that we're going to be spending more than just the first couple of episodes in this time period. The Corinthian is expected to serve as the main villain for the first season, though, so chances are we will jump forward to a modern setting at some point.

The Sandman has languished in development hell for a long time, with several failed attempts to get the property off the ground as a movie. Fans will obviously be hoping that this latest venture yields results, but after being let down so many time, they'll probably only believe that it's really happening once they see a trailer. In the meantime, we'll have to make do with an official logline.

“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.”

Allan Heinberg (The Catch, Grey’s Anatomy) will write and serve as showrunner on The Sandman, while Gaiman and David Goyer (Constantine, Flashforward) are on board as executive-producers.

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campblood
campblood - 4/10/2020, 5:24 AM
I don’t really know much about this comic but i read American gods years ago and it became my favorite book so I hope I enjoy this series
VincentValjean
VincentValjean - 4/11/2020, 3:31 PM
@campblood - What does American Gods have to do with The Sandman?
campblood
campblood - 4/11/2020, 5:06 PM
@VincentValjean - Neil Gaiman wrote both
VincentValjean
VincentValjean - 4/12/2020, 3:52 AM
@campblood - Totally different stories though
campblood
campblood - 4/13/2020, 10:58 AM
@VincentValjean - yes but if I enjoy his work on one story then maybe, just maybe I can enjoy his work on another story . You see what I’m saying ?
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 4/10/2020, 5:42 AM
This doesn't worry me.

Sounds like the first season will comprise the first two books.

I'm actually reassured that they are mentioned at all. This means that Preludes and Nocturnes will not be completely ignored.

Also, Mr. Gaiman himself has already assured us that "Most if not all of the single issues" will be adapted.

Sandman is THE big one for me (and for everyone really, but you just might not know it yet).

Looking forward to casting.

I think if they don't cast Tom Ellis as Lucifer then fans are gonna riot, but since he's already signed a contract with Netflix to play the character beyond his own series... maybe they're already all over that.

Despair's gonna be tricky, because internet. If an actress plays that role, internet will ruin her life. But if they do a fully CG creation, like Dr Manhattan in the Watchmen movie, cast somebody who looks nothing like despair, but who sounds like despair...
Blue Diamond from Steven Universe is the voice of despair. Lisa Hannigan. That would be my fan-cast.

And what about John Constantine? He's got an integral role in Preludes and Nocturnes. I like who we have now, in the Arrowverse, but I'm up for seeing someone else in the role also. And wait until Lady Constantine, if we ever get there, that'll be interesting casting.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 4/10/2020, 7:11 AM
Cautiously optimistic
tmp3
tmp3 - 4/10/2020, 1:28 PM
@BlackBeltJones - The bigger question isn't if it'll be good, it's if this is even adaptable at all. Gaiman threw everything and the kitchen sink in that run, and it's incredible but it'll need a $500m budget or something to be given justice
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 4/10/2020, 9:57 AM
My exposure to the source material is few to none so whatever they do here I will take it in.
OrionPax
OrionPax - 4/10/2020, 10:30 AM
I know the series well and i’m not seeing any “big changes” in the breakdown.Kind of misleading headline
L0RDbuckethead
L0RDbuckethead - 4/10/2020, 1:48 PM
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