"Sandman" TV Series In The Works

For all the comic book and graphic novel properties getting tapped for Hollywood adaptation, one of the most beloved entries in the medium's modern history has also been one of the quietest comics in terms of adaptation buzz...until now.

The Hollywood Reporter has word that Warner Bros. Television is planning on acquiring the rights to adapt Neil Gaiman, Dace McKean and a wealth of artist's epic DC Vertigo series "The Sandman" in order to bring the story to the small screen. The award-winning, 75-issue series turned perennial best-selling graphic novel collection has flirted with adaptation as a movie for years including a stint where it was to be a vehicle for Gaimain's "Beowulf" co-writer Roger Avary. However, in recent year talk of any kind of adaptation of the lives of the Endless characters has centered around Gaimain's "Death" spinoff series rather than "The Sandman" proper.

As this new report explains, apparently DC Comics had been in talks with HBO to adapt the series until recently, but with parent company Warner Bros. stepping in to take the lead, a name that's come up to adapt has been Eric Kripke – creator of The CW's hit "Supernatural." Though that show will return for its sixth season this year, Kripke stepped down as "Supernatural" show runner stating that his original five-year plot for the series had wrapped.

For more on this story, check The Hollywood Reporter, and keep your eyes peeled to CBR and Spinoff Online.

"Sandman" comic book being adapted as a TV show
By Borys Kit and James Hibberd Wed Sep 1, 8:17 PM PDT

"The Sandman," the Neil Gaiman-written comic book series considered a seminal work in the medium, is in the early stages of being developed into a TV series.

Warner Bros. TV is in the midst of acquiring television rights from sister company DC Entertainment and in talks with several writer-producers about adapting the 1990s comic. At the top of the list is Eric Kripke, creator of the CW's horror-tinged "Supernatural."

"Sandman" told the tale of Morpheus, the Lord of the Dreaming, a deity who personifies dreams. The book began in the horror realm but quickly made its mark in fantasy and mythology as Gaiman introduced the Endless, a group of powerful brothers and sisters named Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire and Delirium (as well as Dream).

The book helped establish DC's Vertigo imprint and won several awards. It also was one of the few comics that segued from the comics crowd, entering the intellectual and art worlds, winning over a large non-comics-reading audience, particularly a devoted female following.

A movie version of "Sandman" has been in development since the mid-'90s, with an early version involving "Pulp Fiction" co-writer Roger Avary. The movie version cooled earlier in the decade, with the thinking moving to the best way to tackle an adaptation is the TV route. Up until a few months ago, DC was in talks with HBO and James Mangold to develop a show minus WBTV's involvement, but that never coalesced.

Gaiman was not officially involved with the HBO attempt, though he and Mangold held several rounds of talks surrounding characters and story. The author is not involved in the new developments, though since it is early in the process, that may change. In fact, securing Gaiman will prove key for the project to go forward.

Kripke has been described as interested in tackling an adaptation but cautious because the comic book has such a passionate following and is held in such high regard. It's the kind of series where each production decision, from casting to script to design, would be scrutinized by devotees.

Still, Kripke has managed to create and sustain "Supernatural," which week in and week out deals with fantasy, mythological and horror elements. He also displayed a certain amount of creative integrity when he stuck to his guns by not returning as showrunner when the network renewed the series for a sixth season after he completed his planned five-season story line.