The film adaption on Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel Sandman has been in development since 2013 when Joseph Gordon Levitt announced he was set to produce and co-write the script along side Gaiman, David S. Goyer and screenwriter Jack Thorne. Levitt was also rumored to be starring as main character, Morpheus. Saturday Levitt announced via Facebook that he was no longer connected to the project under New Line, a division of Warner Bros. In the statement he explained why.
“…just don’t see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special, and what a film adaption could/should be. So unfortunately I decided to remove myself from the project. I wish nothing but the best for the team moving forward.”
Neil Gaiman, the graphic novel’s creator, responded to Gordon-Levitt’s exist over Twitter today.
“For the record, my respect for [Joseph Gordon Levitt], is undiminished.” Gaiman wrote.”Getting to know him was the best bit of the last round. He’s special.”
In response Gordon-Levitt thanked Gaiman by saying, “I sincerely hope we find another way to collaborate sooner than later.”
Gaiman also tweeted the following statement in regards to the situation.
“Reminder for the curious: I don’t own SANDMAN. @DCComics does. I don’t choose who writes scripts, the director, producer or cast.” In his next Tweet he added: “For me what’s important is the 2,500 pages of SANDMAN, not a movie that may or may not ever happen.”
The show must go on (at least we think it is). Sandman is still in development, so we’ve been told. New Line has brought in screenwriter Eric Heisserer to pen a new script according to The Hollywood Reporter. Heisserer wrote the screenplays for several horror films including the remakes of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Thing, as well as the script for Final Destination 5.
The ‘Sandman’ graphic novel series, published under DC’s Vertigo, follows it’s main character Dream aka Morpheus, who rules the dream world. Morpheus is one of the “Endless”. The “Endless” are a group of metaphysical entities, which includes Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium(formerly Delight) and destruction. Gaiman’s graphic novel combines mythology with an air of horror.
