Joseph Gordon-Levitt quits film adaptation of Sandman comic, cites creative differences

Citing creative differences, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has quit the awaited film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s classic comic Sandman, a passion project of his. The decision, prompted by what the American actor and filmmaker describes as not seeing eye to eye with the studio, comes as a shock, considering that he initiated the project and was going to direct and star in it.

Sandman is a comic series written by Neil Gaiman, whose protagonist is Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams. Produced between 1989 and 1996, the comic series amassed considerable fanbase and critical acclaim over its 75 issues.

Since work began on the adaptation, three years ago, there have been a number of production changes in its production. The project began with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Goyer making a deal with Warner Brothers to adapt the film. Pre-production appeared to be running smooth for a while. Jack Thorne, a screenwriter and playwright, came on board, to adapt and develop the script.

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And then came, on the studio’s part, a throng of changes. Warner Brothers moved its entire Vertigo comics (an imprint of DC) catalogue to its subsidiary, New Line Cinema. It is here that, according to Gordon-Levitt, the ‘creative differences’ began.

Writing on his Facebook page Gordon-Levitt wrote “I came to realize that the folks at New Line Cinema 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”

It is not clear exactly what the specific issue that caused the creative friction is but the hiring of Eric Heisserer, a primarily horror screenwriter, known for Final Destination 5, as a screenwriter must not have gone down well with Gordon-Levitt who had originally chosen to work with Jack Thorne, whom he regards as an ‘excellent screenwriter’. New Line Cinema is working with Heisserer on two other projects, The Conjuring 2 and Lights Out, which he wrote and co-produced. What could have possibly happened, if one is to speculate, is that New Line Cinema preferred Heisserer to Thorne and Gordon-Levitt felt preferred Thorne whom he has been working with for three years.

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In the Facebook post, Gordon-Levitt thanked some of the people that he has worked with over the three years of bringing the classic comic to screen.

“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”

He extended a thank you to the author, Neil Gaiman, thanking him for the endless insights and masterful work.

“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” he said.

Gaiman returned the favour in a tweet, calling Gordon-Levitt “special,” but went on to distance himself from any major decisions made about the project in another tweet, stating that he does not own the rights to it.

And, for the record, my respect for @hitRECordJoe, is undiminished. Getting to know him was the best bit of the last round. He's special.

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) March 5, 2016

With Gordon-Levitt quitting the project, some Sandman fans are evidently not pleased, even threatening to start a petition (see comments on his FB post), but the project appears to be still on track.

image by Gage Skidmore