Gaiman's "Sandman" with Kripke?

[WyldeMan45]

Kripke has proven during his 5 seasons of Supernatural he could more than handle this genre. I am not familiar with the comics, but those who are please weigh in. I think this would fit on AMC much better.

Though there had been talk about a film adaptation about the seminal comic book series The Sandman from Neil Gaiman (who also wrote the source material for such adaptations as Coraline and Stardust), but now Heat Vision reports the property is now in the early stages of being developed into a TV show over at Warner Bros. The studio is currently acquiring the rights from DC Entertainment and have already begun talks with various writers and producers for the TV adaptation. Apparently the top choice right now is Eric Kripke, most well known for creating Supernatural, but at the moment author Neil Gaiman is currently not involved with these developments which could create problems down the road.

Here’s some background on the world and some of the characters within The Sandman series straight from Neil Gaiman’s own website:

“Only that there are seven brothers and sisters who have been since the beginning of time, the Endless. They are Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Despair, Delirium who was once Delight, and Destruction who turned his back on his duties. Their names describe their function and the realms that they are in charge of. Several years ago, a coven of wizards attempted to end death by taking Death captive, but captured Dream instead. When he finally escapes he must face the changes that have gone on in his realm, and the changes in himself.”

The series is separated into several different story arcs, some of which are tangents from the core of the series, and you can find details on all of those right here. Since a film version of The Sandman has been in the works since the mid-90’s, I can’t see a television version of the comic being any easier to pull off, but it’s certainly more friendly to the story and its characters. Potential writer Eric Kripke also knows that he’s stepping into sacred comic territory with plenty of fans invested in the series and its mythology (and he’s not a slave to the studio either since he stepped away from Supernatural after completing his planned five-season storyline). It’s not an easy road ahead for this adaptation, but it just might be worth all the trouble in the end. Anyone out there interested in The Sandman heading to television?

[SpaceDog]

I really think an HBO or Showtime series of 75 episodes would be ideal.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by SpaceDog

I really think an HBO or Showtime series of 75 episodes would be ideal.

Well that would be ideal but being Warner and Kripke's involvement my guess would be the CW is going to get this project most likely to fill the void left by Supernatural when it completes it's run.

[detective392]

Never read the comic but if Kripke is involved I can't wait as I love Supernatural and he did a fantastic job on that. I think they could team this with Supernatural once Smallville return if they renew it for a 7th season or The Vampire Diaries if it even ends up being picked up and is put on the CW.

[primitiveskin]

As they used to say in the issue with the serial killer convention, and I'm paraphrasing here,

[Show spoiler]"Whoa, Dog Soup is a woman!"

Being a DC Comics property, Sandman will have to be produced by Warner Bros., but that doesn't mean that it would necessarily have to air on a Warner net, although the preference would probably be for it to be on The CW. Current Warners shows that air on other nets include: Chuck on NBC; V on ABC; Fringe and Human Target on Fox.

One thing that I have to say about The CW is their tendency to stock their casts with loads of pretty young things, so although The Sandman doesn't really lead one to think that it should have an ensemble cast, expect the Endless to be introduced a lot sooner in a TV series, with maybe Death becoming a series regular, instead of her just being a recurring character.

For the longest time, Kripke's Supernatural was focused on just the Winchester Brothers, but over time, the cast expanded to include Bobby and Castiel, so he would probably be able to talk down the network suits who might be inclined to have The Sandman be an ensemble show.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by detective392

Never read the comic but if Kripke is involved I can't wait as I love Supernatural and he did a fantastic job on that. I think they could team this with Supernatural once Smallville return if they renew it for a 7th season or The Vampire Diaries if it even ends up being picked up and is put on the CW.

Yeah it does have potential to fit the lineup quite well, as long as they don't water it down to the usual CW level.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Yeah it does have potential to fit the lineup quite well, as long as they don't water it down to the usual CW level.

Yeah they could even team Supernatural and Vampire Diaries with Sandman for a supernatural kinda block or something.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Yeah it does have potential to fit the lineup quite well, as long as they don't water it down to the usual CW level.

They'll call it Dreamville and everyone will be in high school wearing jeans and tshirts. Sandman will wear a lot of black and death will be Goth.

[detective392]

Looks like Sandman won't be happening this TV season anytime soon.

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/r.../news/?a=31868

[WyldeMan45]

It's been so damned long since the project was announced with no news that I'd actually completely forgotten about it's existence. I'm ok with this not happening right now cause frankly if even half the pilots I am excited for are picked up for the fall I am already going to have some major timer conflicts happening and lots of shuffling to do.

[Walts Ghost]

I'm honestly glad...I'm still not sure it'll work as a TV show on the basic networks. I still think its better suited for one of the cable networks or Showtime. But that's just me.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

I'm honestly glad...I'm still not sure it'll work on as a TV show on the basic networks. I still think its better suited for one of the cable networks or Showtime. But that's just me.

Yeah I think this would be a kick ass show if done for cable. Could be an HBO team up with True Blood or just anything is better then network.

[detective392]

Word now comes saying that Geoff is still working on Sandman and that it's not dead. Not sure what to think as one say's it's dead and another say's it's alive.

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/J.../news/?a=31948

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by detective392

Word now comes saying that Geoff is still working on Sandman and that it's not dead. Not sure what to think as one say's it's dead and another say's it's alive.

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/J.../news/?a=31948

Well it's dead at CW and it just sounds like Geoff is continuing to work on the script hoping that down the road it'll be ready to go if the CW or another network decides to move forward with it.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Well it's dead at CW and it just sounds like Geoff is continuing to work on the script hoping that down the road it'll be ready to go if the CW or another network decides to move forward with it.

Yeah really hope networks pass and they go cable though as this would make one good HBO show I think or any other channel.

[Walts Ghost]

Yea, it sounds like its just Geoff Johns and Gaiman who are working on it at this point. I think that means Kripke is no longer a part of it. So hopefully that means they can shop it to another network, or as I would prefer, HBO or Showtime. I think it would be better on a cable network.

[HDMe]

Starz might be a good fit too... they are trying to jump into the waters of original programming with their joint venture with the BBC on the next series of Torchwood.