Sandman getting a movie adaptation has always been an uphill battle. Due to how obscure he is to mainstream audiences, convincing Warner Brothers to take the leap of faith would require some very passionate people. Until yesterday, it seemed the production had all of the passion it needed thanks to super-fan Joseph Gordon-Levitt who has been lobbying for this movie since 2013. Things looked even better when it was announced that they had secured a high-profile screenwriter, but then things hit a snag. Gordon-Levitt announced he was leaving the project and cutting ties due to creative differences.
While he wouldn’t specify the details of what caused the sudden departure, he did say this on his Facebook page: “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.”
He would go on to say lovely things about many of the people he worked with during his tenure as a producer, so it makes one wonder if it was only creative differences that made him quit? Even with his departure, the movie itself is still in production but now faces limbo. Gordon-Levitt’s passion for Sandman is what kept the production alive since he would advocate for any potential roadblocks. With him gone, it is unclear if the remaining people will fight as hard as he did.
The bigger issue I take from this is the fact that this is a blow for lesser-known heroes. As popular as superheroes are in theaters, the vast majority of the movies involve big names from the comics, especially in DC movies. Marvel Studios has taken some risk, and while some ended up being insanely successful, (Guardians of the Galaxy) others, while well-liked, weren’t as financially successful (Ant-Man). Sandman, if made well, could have served as proof that literally any hero could be turned into a TV show or movie and it isn’t only reserved for people who play major roles within the Justice League, Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc.
Hopefully, the movie will continue on in Gordon-Levitt’s absence. I sure hope so because Deadpool’s success proved that people like some variety to their heroes, and Sandman could certainly provide that. Then again, if the creative differences Gordon-Levitt alluded to lead to something like the Green Lantern movie… then perhaps it should go by the wayside.
XL8HTB Reference Surround Sound Home Theater 5.0 Channel Speaker System
Experience next-level sound performance with a skillfully matched five speaker surround sound system. Offering exquisite bass, rich and detailed midrange with captivating clarity for a dynamic acoustic experience.
Learn More
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.