Horror writer Eric Heisserer has been tapped to pen Sandman, New Line’s adaptation of the acclaimed DC/Vertigo comic book that has Joseph Gordon-Levitt on board as director and star.
David Goyer wrote the treatment and a search was conducted to ensnare a scribe to tackle the ambitious translation in what New Line hopes will be a trilogy.
Sandman tells the tale of Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams. The comic book began in the horror realm but quickly made its mark in fantasy and mythology as Neil Gaiman, the author of the series, introduced the Endless, a group of powerful brothers and sisters that includes Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire and Delirium (as well as Dream).
The book helped establish DC’s Vertigo imprint, won several awards, and its success crossed over into the mainstream.
Walter Hamada and Dave Neustadter are overseeing for New Line.
Heisserer established horror movie credentials with remakes of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Thing as well as working on Final Destination 5.
He has two horror thrillers awaiting release from New Line: The Conjuring 2, whose script he worked on, and Lights Out, which he wrote and co-produced. The latter opens July 22.
Heisserer also wrote the script for The Story of Your Life, a sci-fi drama starring Amy Adams that is director’s Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up to his acclaimed drug cartel drama Sicario.
He is repped by WME, Art/Work Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman.
