During the exhilarating Comic-Con panel that unveiled the grandiose full trailer, lead actor Tom Sturridge divulged the heartfelt connection he shared with Dream, exclaiming, "I held this literary masterpiece so close to my heart, its words echoing deeply within me." The long-awaited adaptation of Neil Gaiman's seminal work, 'The Sandman,' is finally poised to grace our screens, and Gaiman's anticipation for this moment is palpable.
Joined by the stellar Netflix cast ensemble—Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste—the team descended upon Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, showering the audience with a symphony of captivating clips and, ultimately, the full trailer that sent shivers down spines. This event marked the triumphant culmination of a comic book saga that embarked in 1989, enduring a labyrinthine journey of adaptation before finding its ultimate home at Netflix in the summer heat of 2019.
"What truly fills me with joy is the imminent realization that, in a matter of days, the world will witness our creation," Gaiman enthused, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "It's a sensation akin to pure bliss." Showrunner Allan Heinberg echoed this sentiment, vowing to remain "as steadfastly loyal to the source material as possible," and credited Netflix for their unwavering support in this noble endeavor.
The narrative revolves around Dream's emancipation from captivity and his quest to restore order to his realm. The panelists reminisced about the meticulous casting process, highlighting how Sturridge emerged victorious from a sea of contenders. Gaiman reminisced, "Tom auditioned early on, but we embarked on a marathon of a thousand auditions. And in the end, it was still Tom who stood out."
Sturridge, his admiration for the original work evident, praised the series for its episodic exploration of diverse realms. "I was entranced by this literary gem, poring over its pages until its essence became a part of me," he confessed. "At the core of our tale lies Dream's transformative journey, where he evolves into a being he never dreamt he could be."
Discussing the enigmatic character of Lucifer, Gaiman shared his vision of a David Bowie-esque figure, a "junkie angel" that Christie brought to life with unparalleled finesse. Christie quipped, "I embody the junkie angel in all its glory," adding, "I was overjoyed when Allan and Neil entrusted me with this nefarious role." She relished the opportunity to embody pure evil, confessing, "The thought of personifying evil itself was a dream come true."
Patton Oswalt and Mark Hamill, the voices behind Matthew the Raven and Mervyn Pumpkinhead respectively, also shared their insights. Oswalt, a lifelong fan of the comics, noted the unique challenge of portraying a character exclusive to the series, saying, "I'm breathing life into a character born from the void, racing to catch up with this vast universe."
Howell-Baptiste, embodying the enigmatic figure of Dream's sister, Death, delved into the philosophical depths of her role. "How does one imbue death with a human touch?" she pondered, ultimately finding solace in her personal experiences. "A personal loss allowed me to navigate the complexities of portraying Death with empathy," she shared poignantly.
For Gaiman, the unwavering respect and admiration for his work have been the driving force behind this journey. "The fact that no one has sought to alter my vision is a testament to the power of this story," he concluded, his pride shining bright.
