For anyone who is following The Sandman author Neil Gaiman, they know how much he has defended the casting in the series. Gaiman has actively used his social media account to update fans on developing projects not only Netflix’s The Sandman. His fans are very happy to read about them online. However, as it is social media, his decisions or creative steps for the live action adaptation of his work is open to public scrutiny. Hence, old or new fan or casual viewer, anyone who has an opinion and want to react would take the time to post their idea.
And, there are a number of those who have their own idea of “what should be”. Thus, they find it highly important to convince the author himself that his creative choices are wrong. Of course, at some point Gaiman steps up to make his stand. After all, the project is his brainchild.
Neil Gaiman Stands Against Critics Of The Sandman Casting
Image: Netflix
In a recent interview with Inverse, the author with The Sandman executive producer Allen Heinberg talked about their encounters. Apparently, the author understands a general profile that the haters of the casting reflect. In one instance, the encounter is not even online. Gaiman shared:
you get people shouting at us for having made up all of these gay characters who weren’t in the comics, and then we’d go ‘Have you read the comics?’ And they’d go ‘No.’ And we’d go, ‘They were gay in the comics.’ And they’d go ‘You’re just woke and nobody is going to watch your horrible show.’ And then we went Number 1 in the world for four weeks. And they went ‘It’s all bots! We hate you. You’re woke.’
The author added that the way these people think are silly weird. He continues:
It’s a weird silliness. These complainers don’t like gay people, they don’t like Black people, and they don’t like women. And if you look at their profiles, they don’t like vaccines, they don’t like Democrats, and they’re not big on voting.
Furthermore, he also know that these people who have everything against the casting choices aren’t comic book fans. Because, he firmly believes that his long-time fans and comic book readers understand and know these castings have bases. People particularly point out the casting for three characters in the series.
Neil Gaiman Stands Against Critics Of The Sandman Casting
Image: Netflix
First, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer. For fans, they know that Lucifer is an angel who has androgynous beauty. Moreover, the author cited that its image inspiration is the late David Bowie. Who in turn thought that if he were to have a biopic, he’d like actress Tilda Swinton to portray him.
Then, Kirby Howell-Baptise as Death. The author immediately says that this isn’t controversial for Sandman fans. Simply because they know that The Endless looks like what people seeing them think they look like.
Finally, Jenna Coleman as Lady Johanna Constantine. Sandman fans know of her existence in the comics since 1989 from No. 13.
In the live action adaptation creator’s eyes, these casting choices are not because they are ticking off a list of character profiles. It’s all carefully laid out plans to be able to deliver the adaptation as best they can for the current viewers to catch up with long-time fans of the world.
Season 2 of The Sandman is currently in early development. Meanwhile, everyone is enjoined to watch the Season 1, including the bonus episode of Calliope and Dream of a Thousand Cats available on Netflix.
