Classic Comic Book Sandman Is Reportedly Being Made Into Netflix Show

There have been various attempts to make a movie version of Neil Gaiman's classic Sandman comic book series over the years, but none of them have so far made it to screen. However, it now looks like a Sandman adaptation is finally happening, with Netflix set to make a TV version of the acclaimed series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has signed a "massive financial deal" with Warner to adapt Sandman. THR's sources state that this will be the most expensive DC show ever produced, although a specific dollar figure was not shared. The series' showrunner will be Allan Heinberg, who co-wrote the hugely successful DC movie Wonder Woman.

The Sandman show will be executively produced by Gaiman and DC veteran David Goyer, whose credits includes co-writing Man of Steel and Christopher Nolan's Batman movies, as well as the TV show Krypton. DC and Netflix are yet to make an official announcement about the deal.

The most recent attempt to bring Sandman to the screen was in 2016, when Dark Knight Rises star Joseph Gordon-Levitt was on board to star and produce a version for Warner subsidiary New Line Cinema. That project collapsed when Gordon-Levitt walked away, stating that he and executives at New Line couldn't "see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special."

The original run of Sandman lasted for 75 issues, plus one special, between 1989 and 1996. Gaiman has returned to the title a number of times since, including a novella and a six-part prequel series. The comic has won over 26 prestigious Eisner Awards, and by the end of its run was DC's most popular title, outselling the likes Batman and Superman.