Cast This: Dream (The Sandman)

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman" is one of the most highly-acclaimed comic-book series out there, so it's only natural that Hollywood would be eager to adapt the tale; unfortunately, that's easier said than done as the project has gone through numerous hands over the decades while trudging through development hell. However, it was announced last week that Warner Bros. Television had signed a deal with Netflix to bring "The Sandman" to life as a TV series, which, in my opinion, is a much better fit for the sprawling saga.

The main character of "The Sandman" is Dream, who is also known as Morpheus, Oneiros, and by many other names. He's one of the Endless, a group of extremely powerful beings who are the embodiment of natural forces. In addition to Dream, the other Endless include Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. The series begins with Dream having been imprisoned for 70 years after being captured in an occult ritual. Finally escaping in to the modern-day world, Dream sets about rebuilding his kingdom while also trying to correct the wrongs of his past.

As I mentioned, a feature-film adaptation of "The Sandman" has been in various stages of development off and on since the late '90s, but the closest the film actually got to becoming a reality was when David Goyer and Joseph Gordon-Levitt boarded the project as producers in 2013. Several scripts were produced during this period, but Gordon-Levitt eventually dropped out due to creative differences, saying, "the folks at New Line and I just don't see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special, and what a film adaptation could/should be." ARRIVAL screenwriter Eric Heisserer had been brought in rewrite the script by Jack Thorne (THE AERONAUTS), but he too exited the project after insisting that the story would be better served as a television series.

I had many conversations with Neil [Gaiman] on this, and I did a lot of work on the feature and came to the conclusion that the best version of this property exists as an HBO series or limited series, not as a feature film, not even as a trilogy. The structure of the feature film really doesn’t mesh with this. So I went back and said here’s the work that I’ve done. This isn’t where it should be. It needs to go to TV. So I talked myself out of a job!

Now that "The Sandman" is on the road to Netflix, it seems that prophecy has been fulfilled. Fingers crossed. Sources have said that series is shaping up to be the most expensive show which DC Entertainment has ever done, hinting that we could be in for something quite spectacular. The series has been given an 11-episode order and Allan Heinberg (WONDER WOMAN) has been tapped to write and serve as showrunner. David Goyer is still onboard as executive producer, as is Neil Gaiman, and the pair will co-write the premiere along with Heinberg. "We're thrilled to partner with the brilliant team that is Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg to finally bring Neil's iconic comic book series, The Sandman, to life onscreen," said Channing Dungey, Netflix's VP of  original content. "From its rich characters and storylines to its intricately built-out worlds, we're excited to create an epic original series that dives deep into this multi-layered universe beloved by fans around the world."

Alright, time for the main event. Who should play Dream? Close to five years ago, Neil Gaiman himself voiced his two-cents on who should fill the role. "It’s a funny thing with Morpheus. Again, it’s that thing where you look around and think, ‘Yes this person would be a fantastic person’, and then time passes. There was a time Johnny Depp would’ve been a great Morpheus, but now he’s too old and it’s fine," Gaiman said. "I think the first time I saw Benedict [Cumberbatch] was as Sherlock Holmes, I thought, ‘Wow, that’s incredibly Morpheus’. And fans probably thought the same because they immediately started doing fan-art, meshing the two of them up…Then again, Tom Hiddleston is still out there! And the truth is, as far as I’m concerned, anybody who sounds English with great cheekbones can probably pull it off." I'll steal one of Gaiman's suggestions and choose Tom Hiddleston (AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR) for my first pick, but I think Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) has the sort of somber mysteriousness which would be a perfect fit for Dream. As for my final suggestion, I'll go the more androgynous/gender-swap route and toss Cate Blanchett (THOR: RAGNAROK) out there.

Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!

Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword who is due to take on the big-screen now that Transparent creator Jill Soloway has signed on to write and direct a "bold new take" on the warrior. As usual, you came through with a lot of great suggestions for the role, including Monique Ganderton (AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR), Karen Gillan (JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL), and Gina Carano (DEADPOOL).