The Sandman is one of my favourite series written by one of my favourite authors. It really is a testament to how much more comics can be than traditional super hero books. Neil Gaiman creates a fantastical world where almost anything can happen and the power of stories surpasses all others. In this casting I am going to actually try and think about who would work in a movie. For example it is rare to get a cast filled entirely of A-List actors, so in regards to budget I am going to try and create a cast that would do the movie justice but also be realistic. Lets hope I did it :)
Background:
The Sandman ran for 75 issues from 1989 until 1996 and was published in the United States by the DC Comics impritn Vertigo. The Sandman chronicles the adventures of Dream of the Endless. The Endless are a family of omnipitent beings who have essentially been created by man since man was first created.
Critically acclaimed, The Sandman was the only comic to ever win the World Fantasy Award, and is one of the few comic books ever to be on the New York Times Best Seller list, along with Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. It was one of five comics to make Entertainment Weekly's "100 best reads from 1983 to 2008", ranking at 46.The series has been described as "a comic book for intellectuals."
The Endless
Are a family of seven anthropomorphic personifications of universal concepts, around whom much of the series revolves. It is said that their very existance is hinged upon our own. From eldest to youngest, they are:
Destiny
The eldest member of the Endless, Destiny's realm is The Garden of Forking Ways, where he continually walks its maze-like paths. His book, referred to as the Book of Destiny tells the destiny of all things and all people. He is a very stoic figure who does not reveal the destinies of others but will on occasion help people meet their destiny, when the book tells him he will.
Liam Neeson
I chose Neeson mostly because he is one of my favorite actors but also because Destiny is a character that is incredibly important (as are all the Endless) but he would not be in the movie for very long. Neeson would be perfect for the role and would ensure his place in any sequels. He is a well known actor that would only have basically a cameo in the movie for a short time. Perfect.
Recognizable Works: Shindler’s List, Batman Begins, Taken, Star Wars Episode I
Death
Death meets with the recently deceased and guides them into their new existence. The older sister of Dream, she is featured in many of the stories within the series. She has also been featured in most of the stories outside the regular series, even having her own mini-series. She seems to be a much more playful member of the Endless, taking a more positive approach to her responsibilities.
Summer Glau
I chose Glau because she is not a huge name yet, but would still please millions of fan boys all over the world. She would be financially viable to fill this role, which again would probably not have too much screen time, but more so than most of the others. I also wanted to pick someone other than the choices that I have seen so far (Christina Ricci, Natalie Portman, Ellen Page, etc.)
Recognizable Works: Firefly, Serenity, Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
Dream (Morpheus, The Sandman, The Lord Shaper, King of Dreams)
The title character of the series, Dream is the embodiment of storytelling through his realm of The Dreaming. All stories begin in dreams and all dreams fall into the realm of Morpheus. Throughout the series Dream deals with a multitude of scenarios and adventures, many of which only feature his physical presence for a short time. He also appears to different people and races in different forms, showing that he is much more than a physical entity. Dream seems very aloof but throughout the series shows he is a deeply emotional being.
Jude Law
This is the most important part of the casting and I am still not 100% but there are a number of reasons why he would work as The Lord Shaper. First he physically fits the bill as he is slightly skinnier and less square squared than a lot of actors out there. The Sandman is a very thin and frail looking figure who commands a very powerful presence and can change to a terribly frightening being at the drop of a hat. Law has the acting chops to pull this character off as well as the star power to sell tickets. He is also someone I have not heard of for the role (like Mr. Depp). This is probably where I will get the most flak from you all but that’s alright
Recognizable Roles: Talented Mr. Ripley, A.I., I Heart Huckabees
Destruction
The absent brother; through the early part of the series Destruction was only reference to as the brother who left his duties. Later he is revealed to be a big, burly bearded man who seems almost normal, especially when compared to his siblings. He is usually depicted wearing armor or some type of military uniform.
Kevin McKidd
Again this is one of my favorite actors and have enjoyed almost every role he has portrayed (although he could have been better in The Last Legion). Brian Blessed is said to be the favorite for the role by Gaiman himself I want to keep this original. McKidd is once again an actor that has been growing in popularity but would not require such a large salary as to break the bank. He has proven himself able to handle this role and he is my first pick for the character.
Recognizable Works: Rome, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Grey’s Anatomy (sigh)
Desire
Desire is the third youngest of the Endless and the twin of Despair. It is a strikingly beautiful figure whose gender is mutable, becoming male, female, both, or neither as the situation warrants. It is often referred to as "sister-brother" by its siblings, particularly Dream. Desire blends in effortlessly with whatever environment it finds itself in. It lives in the heart of a massive flesh-and-blood statue of itself, known as the Threshold.
Shannon Sossamon
I picked Sossamon for a couple of reasons. The first being that she is beyond sexy and Desire is supposed to be the epitome of beautiful. She has the right build for the character as well as having a very similar look that she pulls off very well. Desire is also a character that may have a little more screen time as he/she is featured in the series more often. Desire likes to play games with Dream and I think Sossamon and Law would have amazing chemistry together. As well, she is not an A-List actress and would be affordable to put in the movie. Lastly I think it would not be a that difficult to make her androgynous, which desire is supposed to be.
Recognizable Works: A Knights Tale, The Order, Wristcutters, 40 Days and 40 Nights
Despair
Despair is the twin sister of Desire. She is squat, flabby and pale-skinned, with black hair, gray eyes, and pointed teeth. Her voice is little more than a whisper, and she has no odor, but her shadow smells musky and pungent, like the skin of a snake. She does not wear clothes. On a finger of her left hand she wears a ring with a hook attached to it, with which she habitually carves her flesh.
Kirsten Vangsness
It took me a long time to come up with someone for this role. I tried to find someone who at least fit the bill physically although I don’t think there is anyone who would fit without some CGI or make-up. This actress is one with not too much experience and would definitely not break the bank and would fit well into the Endless as a character who is not overly central to many stories (although some of the best ones feature her heavily) and would only have a small part in the movie.
Recognizable Works: Criminal Minds
Delirium (formerly Delight)
Delirium is the youngest of the Endless, yet still older than the rest of existence. She is usually quite short, and thin, and looks no older than a fourteen year-old human girl. One of her eyes is blue, and the other is green. Her hair changes style and color constantly, as do her clothes. She is more than a little odd and seems to be confused about a great deal almost constantly. She is afraid of Dream in a way but also loves all her siblings, wanting a more family atmosphere between them all.
Bella Thorne
From the description above the actress had to be around 14 years old or at least look 14. My first choice was Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley from the Harry Potter series) however she is a little too old now. I dont know too much about this actress but I have heard good things and she seems to be perfectly matched to the physical attribute of Delirium.
Recognizable Works: Big Love, My Own Worst Enemy, Little Monk
Thanks for reading any of that if you actually did. Some is from wikipedia which is the holy bible of quick internet fact finding but most is from me. I am truly a huge fan of this series and although this is not a complete list of my dream actors for the roles it is an original take on a workable movie. This is also the first of a series of Sandman casts. The next will be the Dreams and Nightmares such as Cain and Abel, the Corinthian, Fiddlers Green, etc. Let me know what you think and thanks again