Neil Gaiman on the Secret History of ‘The Sandman' & Killing a Bad Script by Leaking It Online

#NeilGaiman #TheSandman #Netflix
In our new interview, the legendary author tells all: the status of future seasons of Netflix's chart-topping show, how he stopped the worst movie adaptation ever, how he really feels about the DC superheroes in the 'Sandman' comic book, and much, much more.
Get the full story at: www.rollingstone.com/

[@DieGuy]

Love when people talk about Jon Peters and his obsession with bad script ideas like giant mechanical spiders.

[@stanthechanman]

Morpheus cursed him with an eternal waking dream of giant mechanical spiders

[@eckoalbino1623]

@@stanthechanman I'm sure Lucien/Lucienne even trashed that script somewhere from his/her library too

[@eckoalbino1623]

@@stanthechanman His version of Eternal Waking

[@timothylangston3560]

A Niel Gaimen Flash series could be really good.

[@elbruces]

"Ya know, the spider is nature's perfect hunter..."

[@parabostonian2267]

It’s also nice seeing an interviewer like this guy, who actually clearly knows the subject material and author well, and clearly had a strong good impact on the conversation.

[@tonyyoung3985]

Feel free to share this story with Neil. I did extra work on Babylon 5. Ran into two young extras huddling around the bulletin board laughing at the pathetic "losers" who wrote letters to the show. Because you gotta be a real geek to write a letter to a TV show. I took a look at the letter they were laughing at. Signed, Neil Gaiman thanking the producers for the opportunity to write an episode of the show. Losers indeed . . .

[@josepholesco2061]

Among the things Neil listed of what he is currently doing, What caught my attention is he is writing a new novel. Although I'm happy that Neil is playing in various medias, Novels is in my opinion what he does best. I'm happiest when there is a new Neil Gaiman book.

[@user-tk1ef2pt8t]

Yeah I literally jumped when I heard he’s writing a new book!

[@rakibul27rabby]

It's not new news. It was announced long ago. It's set in the Neverwhere universe.

[@user-tk1ef2pt8t]

@@rakibul27rabby oh good…cause I’m currently reading Neverwhere 😂

[@fuckallhell]

I thought he was working on another neverwhere book

[@emmaphilo4049]

Yes it's very cool news

[@sowariginal536]

Yes, Neil Gaiman is one of the best writers I've encountered. I'm glad I found him.

[@jessbelen]

Thank you for make my childhood dreams come true, first Good Omens and now The Sandman.

[@twilitetide]

How about alienating fans by not giving them a Season 2. Netflix ought to be proud to back a superb production as opposed to more teen angst forgettable junk. This show is extraordinary. Amazing cast, Tom Sturridge is a revelation.

[@Steelmorrigan]

You relaise Neil has no say in that what so ever right? It's Warner Brothers' call being the nominal holders of the rights to it.

[@operative2136]

@@Steelmorrigan I could be reading his comment incorrectly, but I don't think he was trying to criticize Neil. I think he was criticizing Netflix for not having renewed it yet.

[@jeringatai3156]

@@operative2136 doesnt mean they wont. I mean apparently Sandman cost $15mil so Netflix might wait until the last minute to announce season 2. Umbrella academy never confirmed Season 3 until filming.

[@elbruces]

How about not leading with a complaint so the tone of your comment doesn't sound bitchy? I completely agree.

[@OnslaughtSix]

Neil and WB have a deal that if Netflix doesn't pony up for S2 they can shop it around.

[@DanielBadosa]

48:38 Brian, mah dude, you are the real MVP. I have been trying FOR YEARS to find someone who made this exact same question to Neil Gaiman. It does sound quirky and super niche to make it, but I have been always curious about the "official" position of Neil Gaiman regarding magical ritualism between comic book artists like Moore and Morrison, so to hear finally his answer is just a cathartic experience. Didnt dissapoint at all and definetly in alignment with Gaiman philosophy of the importance of storytelling and how he regards it as the real magic. Thank you. You are my hero.

[@natanielcostard]

He dives deeply into this subject in Marc Maron's interview!

[@DanielBadosa]

@@natanielcostard Thanks for the reccomendation! Will definetly check this out!

[@billyalarie929]

@@natanielcostard HOLY FUCK I DIDNT EVEN CONSIDER HE WOULD BE ON WTF

[@BigHenFor]

Different branches of magic. Gaiman isn't an occultist or a ceremonial magician, but he does understand and use the psychology of mass belief, which stories are a medium.

[@stanthechanman]

Imagine how cool it is to hear Neil Gaiman say "what a lovely question!" in response to something you just asked him.

[@TheFlowMind]

Give this man a S2...he's been everywhere and doing 5 time the press of all the actors! Btw it’s mad that even dared to show him a script that had nothing to do with the original story...bit considering this happens so many times to story adapted from books....

[@billyalarie929]

And he doesn’t even truly repeat himself, save the essential facts of the answers to the main questions.

[@Ragdefender]

Great interview! Glad it's by someone who knows comics so well. And the questions uncovered so many facts I never knew.

[@Tracydot3]

He asked great questions!

[@alastorcorvus]

Pity he had to be a dick at the end by attacking Neil's friends, you can see how uncomfortable Neil is when the interviewer started dissing Alan Moore.

[@eshbena]

I bought every issue of Sandman back when it was still a comic. I loved that series and very few people knew about it at the time. Glad to see it finally getting it's due.

[@kevinalford]

I've heard Neil's voice a lot in Audiobooks and such, but it's really strange to see him actually moving around. Awesome.

[@Apocalymon]

He was quite a looker in his youth

[@Ozgipsy]

This is a fascinating interview. The creative drive on this guy is outstanding.

[@frogggirl2]

By far the best interview of Neil Gaiman that I have ever seen. Kudos.

[@JoeyRetro]

With respect, sir. Thank you for leaking that script to Ain't it Cool. Kevin Smith's infamous story about Superman's mechanical spider lives on!

[@hawkspeak8592]

Wonderful writer, without question. But also a true gentleman, and a paragon of graciousness and class. Loved the interview.

[@robling1937]

He is without a doubt my favorite living author

[@fartsinthewind]

Terrific interview! It’s really tantalizing to hear he has so much in the works. In a world with so much bleak news, we can relish the idea that there is so much with his fingerprints on it in some capacity to look forward to.

[@Thunderpuddle]

This was such a good interview. Just getting to hear about Neil thought processes amd his creativity, brilliant

[@sedaydinsa]

Your existence is a honor, Dear Neil Gaiman. Lots of magical hugs xx

[@JoseMunoz-vr9jf]

Wonderful interview, all the stuff he mentions about the creative process, long live Neil!

[@thomasdavis6530]

Wonderful interview of a great talent. Am so relieved that sandman has been everything I hoped for all these years.. well done.

[@BrundleFly868]

I've already watched the entire series twice; reading the books again now! Love it so much. Hope we get season 2... and 3... and 4....

[@gavinmaitland80]

3 cheers for the dude/bot that did the subtitles for this interview. We have no fear of an AI takeover at this rate.

[@matthewchurchyard8552]

Love Neil Gaiman - great interview and loved his impressions throughout it

[@MusicFromAnotherTime]

I loved it when Jed was watching Static Shock. Great nod to the DC universe with one of my favorite cartoons growing up.

[@FH-rp6zs]

Great interview! Can't believe came so close to such a terrible Sandman adaptation and finally got such a wonderful one.

[@ryansizemore5064]

This is the only Netflix show that I've watched with edge of my seat excitement almost glad for the opportunity to binge it. It deserves a chance to tell a broader story than just I'm a guy who had to get my stuff back and kill a vortex.

[@dh-c1717]

Neil just mentioned Terry. Now I’m very happy. Great series and I don’t understand why I’ve not read the comics/graphic novels. Now I’ll wait until the show is over.

[@gertje8875]

Can't wait for Good Omens #2. Really curious what this gentle madman came up with this time: incl all the magnificient work of Pratchett he got to include. I'm not fond of all of Neil's work, but the stuff that does fit my alley is stuff that I deeply love. And besides his work: I really love watching and listening to him while being interviewed. Such a great guy!

[@eozoon]

Looking forward to reading Miracleman: the Silver Age!

[@theviker]

Interestingly- that horror tone was completely lost in the TV adaption- great show but we got a more scary version of Dr Who rather than EC horror. Audio adaptation encapsulates this perfectly.

[@ghostofyourmom]

They've actually done "Sandman Babies". It was Neil-approved, though: The Little Endless Storybook, illustrated by Jill Thompson.

[@MemphiStig]

28:35 Oh, damn you, Brian! Now i want a Tiny Endless show. (jk lol) 31:11 "I just got really irritated with DC continuity" -- Neil's not the only one... I haven't gotten to see Sandman yet, can't afford it. But I really hope it goes a long way, and I look forward to seeing it eventually.

[@sedaydinsa]

Sirrr, it is such a beyond-words feeling to see you hereee, sirrrr😍🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@petraw9792]

Thanks to both of you for this amazing interview!

[@xdaisyfallsx1678]

Thank you for this Neil

[@SoupedUpCustoms]

Such a classy gentleman really is Neil, able to talk about his relationship with Alan Moore and even promote his friends's upcoming books. Great interview! you covered almost all I wanna hear from Neil, from Miracleman to Alan Moore to Sandman. Kudos!

[@wetwhistlinwillyjohnson5743]

Classy is not a word to use for him.

[@haxyquinn]

I'm loving the inmative interview withsome gossip in it

[@Mekratrig]

Verr happy to hear him mentjon Good Omens S2. Took a while to get invested in that show, me, but naow that am, delited to kno it will continue. Didno kno Gaman was involve in it heretofore, only Pratchet. Serjously considaring a temp hookup with Netflex, djust to see Sanman. But once said the same ting abote Amazong Prime, me. That was 5 year ago, stil haveno cancelled.

[@X45018]

I never bought comics growing up and bought my first comic book, the sandman vol 1 due to my love of the show, I’m sad I missed out on this for so long

[@gladyszai]

1 million hours? I think i did more…im on my 11th round of bingeing it since it aired…i love it..bought the audibles and bought the comics

[@qwertyboo]

Love this interview! Giant mechanical spiders

[@bicarbonat1]

That was a pretty damn good Alan Moore impression

[@omniosi]

What an insight into his youthful overnight writing process! Let's not forget "Books of Magic!". I think there is room somewhere for another "boy who lived".

[@CaesiusX]

Thank you for this rather comprehensive interview. IMO this wasn't really the standard press tour type interview. While I'm not terribly fond of how large parts of *_The Sandman_* had been adapted, I'm glad many are enjoying it as much as they are. And of course, those who feel as I do can certainly enjoy the comics as we always have, and (for me) even the audiodramas to an extent. *Tom Sturridge* was an outstanding casting choice IMO. However, I would have made him more pale. There are times he is exactly as pale as I feel he should be, but then he goes back to looking normal again (without any discernible narrative reason I could ascertain). I also felt they should have modulated his voice, at least a tiny bit.¹ It appeared to me his voice in the comics was to be interpreted as somewhat _otherworldly._ *EDIT:* I didn't realize there was an *_Anansi Boys_* project. Excited to hear _Neil_ mention something is in the works. ··•●✺●•·· ¹ ─ If perhaps they felt this characteristic too distracting for their lead🙄, IMO they should have at least applied it from time to time. . .As the situation dictated.

[@mayaenglish5424]

Apparently they initially tried to make him look like he walked directly out of the pages of the comic and it _Really_ didn't work for the medium of television. He looked ridiculous. I think Tom said that he would have rocked it at comic con but it just did not look right. I think there were some aspects of how he appears to people vs how he appears in the pages of the comic to us and him looking non organic and how it just really didn't translate. And Tom is super pale anyway lol so for keeping it vaguely otherworldly in an ethereal rather than goofy way they went with his natural paleness and probably heightened it with good lighting. I enjoyed the creepy effects on Dream in episode 1 in particular like when he was initially going to confront the Corinthian (in order to set him up as exposition lol) the weird almost staticky effect on him and the end of the episode when he is set free. The Cat into Dream transition was great with his eyes glowing like stars from the darkness. So more of that would be nice.

[@CaesiusX]

I agree. More of that, certainly. And regarding the paleness. . .I understand the decision, given what you indicate above. I actually feel his look was spot-on at times, depending on the lighting. Little else would've been needed, IMO. Thanks for taking the time to provide such an informative reply@@mayaenglish5424. Be well!🙋🏼‍♂️ ··•●✺●•··

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@CaesiusX No problem. I liked your respectful tone about the bits you didn't like as opposed to the tantrums I've seen from just about everone else who has anything negative to say about it. Very refreshing. So I thought I'd share the bit I knew. 😁 Thought It might make you feel better to know that they did actually try, it just didn't work. Have a good day!

[@CaesiusX]

@@mayaenglish5424 That's kind of you to say. Thank you. 😊 And yes, it made me feel a bit better to learn they did try. All my best to you and yours.¹ 🤗 ··•●✺●•·· ¹ ─ Here. 🎁 I placed it in this box, for your convenience.

[@electriceyebabe715]

Bring Ocean to audiences who are unable to see it on stage. It has become one of my favorite books 🖤✨

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

So it was you all along that leaked it to aintitcoolnews

[@piusdoe8984]

Nice

[@Ozgipsy]

I’ve lived with Morpheus for decades now. It remains a fantastic escape route to an unbelievable world Every medium is an adventure by itself.

[@warrnj4300]

“We have a need for enchantment that is as deep and devoted as our need for food and water.” - Derrick Jensen

[@Vilis_Farthuk]

In Jon Peters defense: Morpheus does look cool, so I get it. Also, Giant Mechanical Spiders are cool, just not in Sandman.

[@rellikai945]

I just want Neil Gaiman to never stop speaking words.

[@tiarnelong5283]

Ive never brought a comic. Ive brought the Sandman comics now and the sandman audiobook. Thank you Neil Gaiman.

[@hannahphillips-ryan398]

Now I want to see Neil's 16th century Swamp Thing!

[@theartistknownaszack9234]

Sandman is just amazing

[@emmaphilo4049]

Je suis totalement sous le charme de cet auteur

[@ScarySadFlan]

Never thought in a million years that Kevin Smith and Neil Gaiman would have the same Jon Peters/Giant Mechanical Spider story. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Jedi71]

I have that Duran Duran book.

[@johncliffalvarez6513]

I would love to simply be able to sit with Neil, perhaps on a bench in a park somewhere, and just talk about writing, life, and everything in between.

[@soulmechanics7946]

The Netflix adaptation nailed it man. First and only truly respectable depiction of dreaming I have ever seen. Fight to keep it alive! 👊 Lord knows we will.

[@billyalarie929]

I could listen to Neil talk for 5,000 hours.

[@darthmorbous]

One of my top 2 writers. Asimov and Gaiman. One madterpiece after another. Love them to death.

[@cha5]

Okay DC, Now I really want to see Neil's John Constantine story "The Day my Flat went Mad." 😁 A one shot story would be just fine.

[@thenumbdave]

When he mentioned this I thought "I remember that" but now I'm doubting myself, maybe I dreamt it! I think it's "The Day my Pad went Mad" though if it's after John Cooper Clarke, that poem is very funny.

[@Sentientmatter8]

Bit sad knowing Sandman didn't end up getting renewed, but glad we at least got one season of such a lovely adaptation.

[@91YEHNAH]

It's been renewed!

[@danasnow8324]

"Tsuris" is Yiddish for trouble. The captioning typed it as "tourists.

[@krispykreme6082]

* I’ve never heard this man talk before p.p… he sounds like how I’d imagine him to sound. he talks like how he writes

[@michaelgiannetti3846]

I could listen to Neil Gaiman read a thesaurus and be entertained, he is a genius

[@AFoxInFlames]

I love Neil Gaiman, I loved American God's but...the ending was boo, it just wasn't what I expected from him and also the twist you could see coming and it wasn't very good twist. Love Sandman, it's fucking amazing, casting amazing...I love everything he's written...just idk American God's it's like he didn't know how to end it.

[@gabrielduarte4965]

if this guy could write daredevil and Superman, How would that look Like?

[@user-uo8mx3cv5k]

He did write Marvel 1602 which has Matt Murdock as one of the main cast so that's cool

[@efitriasasadit2618]

Ricuh memang,,, Siapa yang tampan dan siapa yang mengalahkan iblis juga,,apa arti iblis juga kalian tahu dan tentang kaum elf yang terlihat berbeda ,,

[@mrrd4444]

I looked up the script when I was in high school. It was generic, and if it had had nothing to do with Sandman I think it'd have been enjoyable, mid tier schlock. But as a Sandman adaptation, it was garbage of the highest order, and extremely Hollywood.

[@Tracydot3]

Besides Alan Moore, who are these other writers who practice magick IRL?

[@reddchan]

I got netflix for 1 month just for this show

[@CybersecuritySeekerSaferunners]

Nah Only One of Us

[@shadowseer07]

That's nice Mr. Gaiman, but I'm gonna need 5 more seasons of The Sandman please.

[@jrd101]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@mrrd4444]

Okay but Sandman babies does exist :P

[@akshaytrayner1960]

He is such a legend great he stopped shitty adapo

[@akshaytrayner1960]

I mean adaptation

[@fabianopernil]

I really want to ramadan to be made. It was an amazing story in the comic

[@ComicPower]

The John Peters story back again. Im dying laughing

[@sedaydinsa]

MUSE SOURCE OF ME. MOST PERSON I WILL STAY GRATEFUL FOR-FOR EVER!💫💫💫💫

[@efitriasasadit2618]

I respec and remember memory because ruh quds ,,im lost,,,???

[@mokeish]

1 IDEA! haha

[@gstung]

his american accent lol

[@chetkayeable]

Neil has lived in the US for decades.

[@elbruces]

@@chetkayeable It's bad though.

[@danasnow8324]

"Bernie writes on" is actually supposed to be Bernie Wrightson.

[@robertpeebles2445]

Dana no one typed anything. It's an AI, a computer trying to transcribe

[@danasnow8324]

Constantine is a character. "Constant time" is how captioning spell it.

[@efitriasasadit2618]

Lucifer=sandman,,

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

I don't understand why they say there haven't been Sandman spinoffs written by other authors... There's like a million of them.

[@johnsmith2076]

Did they have to employ Souad Faress? Can't watch things she's in, and this time my principles (like all real principles) have cost me. Love Neil's work, loved what I saw before realising she was in it, and running a mile. In the UK we use the phrase "a woman in her 60s" or "Game of Thrones actress" because we cannot name "victims" of alleged sexual offences, even if they turned out to be the most easily disproved, false allegations ever, which got laughed out of court.

[@ppan3188]

Why does this set looks exactly like Trash Taste's old set? 😂

[@lornagomezponce6917]

That writer must be digging it's own grave. Although, they should've known not to make The Corinthian a sibling to one of the endless...

[@danasnow8324]

for "fun" someone typed "funded"

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Everything is amazing and everything is incredible and everything is great. I‘m sooooooo tired……..

[@Joem8877]

Thanks Neil, why are you turning into a sell out?

[@theunknowngamer5477]

Hey, Brian....does your employer still make its employees drug test? Do you realize the author you are interviewing retains all the rejected habits and talents, a decade before now, your print rag raged against? Is a paycheck the way you care about any of this post?

[@jamesmccarthy6764]

Sell-Out

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

@James McCarthy - In precisely what way is Neil Gaiman a sell-out?

[@jeringatai3156]

How?

[@irEyERWO]

Envy is nasty, sweetie.

[@jamesmccarthy6764]

@@irEyERWO You think I'm a sweetie? ☺️

[@coreyc756]

He's not, you're just a bigot

[@mrbee145]

Sandman series. Was actually worse than Lucifer tv show, which sucked. But at least everyone wasn’t a freak or gay

[@Peterincan]

Spoken like someone who either never read the comics or missed the point if they did

[@blublubblub]

I'm gonna paraphrase another comment I made under a different video, also regarding idiots being triggered by The Sandman's adaptation, something wich I truly enjoy (both the adaptation, and idiots being triggered)... Were you extremely displeased with the abundance of Jews in Schindler's List? I understand that you probably never watched it, but maybe you did and it reeeally chapped your ass. You just read like the kind of person that would make such a complaint. "There's too many Jews in this movie. 0/10. Yuck."

[@blublubblub]

Also, you watched it anyway (if you're being truthful about your "review"). Made ya look. Gotcha, loser. Enjoy the memories.

[@elbruces]

Everyone in the comic was indeed either a freak or gay.

[@obmarte3803]

Obviously you don't like the comic 🙄

[@mrbee145]

Thanks for the new all gay sandman backwards universe . I’ll never buy your stuff again. Thanks

[@jessbelen]

This is a very creative way to say that you didnt read the comics

[@eduardoramos-dj4iw]

I’m sure Neil is heartbroken over this and will never recover.

[@edwardm1326]

Those characters were gay in the comics. If you missed that you either never read them or are media illiterate. If having gay people exist in media is concerning for you, that’s a you problem.

[@Sleevies]

Your money won't be missed, bud.

[@keigod2105]

damn who asked tho

[@sedaydinsa]

Well, the magical hugs are enough genius to be uncountable so it contains an invisibility code😁