The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

Via Heidi at The Beat (after the original at The Hollywood Reporter)comes news of the oft-mentioned, oft-rumoured Sandman TV show:

“The Sandman,” the Neil Gaiman-penned comic book series considered a seminal work in the medium, is in the early stages of being developed into a TV series. Warner Bros. TV is in the midst of acquiring television rights from sister company DC Entertainment and in talks with several writer-producers about adapting the 1990s comic. At the top of the list is Eric Kripke, creator of the CW’s horror-tinged “Supernatural.”

“Gaiman was not officially involved with the HBO attempt, though he and Mangold held several rounds of talks surrounding characters and story. The author is not involved in the new developments, though since it is early in the process, that may change. In fact, securing Gaiman will prove key for the project to go forward. Kripke has been described as interested in tackling an adaptation but cautious because the comic book has such a passionate following and is held in such high regard. It’s the kind of series where each production decision, from casting to script to design, would be scrutinized by devotees.”

It makes a spectacular amount of sense, with Warner surely looking at exactly how they can transform their best selling longform series into a ratings winning long running fantasy TV series. And Gaiman’s name is certainly becoming more and more bankable in the world of moving pictures – Stardust, Coraline – could Sandman be a welcome addition to that list?

What’s this Sandman thing you may say? Well, how about heading here for Joe talking of Absolute Sandman, and here to start buying all things Gaiman. But right now, the TV thing is all very early and rumours are but rumours, so, like Dream says….

But in the world of Neil Gaiman, there is a definite TV series with Gaiman’s name attached – at least for just one episode. It’s Doctor Who, and, as he reports on his Journal, Gaiman is writing episode three of the upcoming season in 2011. And if all of Gaiman’s writing about it wasn’t enough, how’s this….

(Right to left, Richard Clark (director) Steven Moffat (showrunner/lead writer) Matt Smith (actor), Gaiman (writer of episode).)