"So, as you might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, a while back, David Goyer and I made a producing deal with Warner Brothers to develop a movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN. Neil himself came on as an executive producer, we hired the excellent screenwriter, Jack Thorne, and we started in on the ambitious task of adapting one of the most beloved and boundary-pushing titles in the world of comics. I was pleased with the progress we were making, even though we still had quite a ways to go.
Recently, as you also might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, the sorta "ownership" (for lack of a better term) of the Sandman material changed hands when Warner Brothers shifted the entire catalogue of Vertigo comics (an imprint of DC) to their subsidiary, New Line. And a few months ago, I came to realize that 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. So unfortunately, I decided to remove myself from the project. I wish nothing but the best for the team moving forward.
I'd like to thank all the great people I've had the opportunity to work with on this one. I've had a blast with and learned a ton from David and Jack. Niija Kuykendall, Greg Silverman, and everyone at Warner Brothers have been fantastic, as have Geoff Johns and everyone at DC. And it's been a particular privilege as well as a rocking good time getting to know Mr. Gaiman, whose generous insights and masterful work have certainly convinced me that the Lord of Dreams and the Prince of Stories are one and the same Endless pattern.
I am not sure what this means going forward, or even if this is a bad thing. I have been excited, and nervous about a Sandman adaptation. Stories like this could be made into fantastic films, however, would they? Consider The recent Hobbit films, or any film about Greek Mythology. Gordon-Levitt was the driving force behind his film Don Jon, which I really liked. He was also a producer on Looper, which I also liked, so I was more excited than worried when I heard that he was behind this project. He was the one that brought on Gaiman, and was very passionate about the Sandman film.
Admittedly as a brand new father my movie options are very few at the moment. But this is one I would see. Neil Gaiman is still involved, so we can only bide our time and see. But I for one am a little sad as I would have liked to see Gordon-Levitt remain with the movie.
Night everybody.
