Netflix reportedly adapting Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics into a TV series

Gaiman speaking at SXSW 2019 (Image credit: Gary Miller / FilmMagic) (Image credit: Gary Miller / FilmMagic)

Could Netflix succeed where others have failed in adapting Sandman? Fans of Neil Gaiman's epic comic book series Sandman will certainly be hoping so. 

According to the Hollywood Reporter (via Engadget), Netflix is set to adapt the dark fantasy series into a TV show – presumably to air exclusively on the popular streaming platform.

Netflix and Warner Bros. are "close to signing a big-money deal", reports Engadget, which notes that Warner had previously pitched the show to a "number of outlets, including HBO" before it was picked up by Netflix. 

Slated to work as executive producers on the rumored show are writer/showrunner Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey's Anatomy) and David Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel).

What is The Sandman?

Published by DC Comics, The Sandman is a comic book series that follows Dream, a "deity-like being, as he searches for purpose and identity following a 70-year imprisonment by an occultist". 

According to The Sand/wo/man: The Unstable Worlds of Gender in Neil Gaiman's Sandman Series by Ally Brisbin and Paul Booth, it became "one of the most popular, significant, and award-winning comics in history" during its eight year run. 

Engadget notes that "there have been numerous attempts to adapt Sandman before", but all have failed; for example, in 2013, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was tipped to "direct and star in a movie based on the books" before the project was canned. 

It's not the first time Gaiman's work has come to the screen though; US cable network Starz adapted his fantasy drama novel American Gods, which premiered in 2017. 

Most recently, Gaiman's collaborative novel with Terry Pratchett Good Omens, was launched as a mini-series on Amazon Prime Video. Could the prospect of a competing Gaiman show have Amazon quaking in its boots? Only time will tell. 

Via Engadget

Olivia Tambini

Olivia was previously TechRadar's Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she's a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.