Neil Gaiman’s beloved Vertigo comic Sandman is finally coming to television, and according to sources actor Michael Sheen could be the frontrunner to play Lucifer on the spin-off show.
More than three years after New Line’s failed attempt to turn the graphic novel into a feature film, Netflix signed a massive financial deal last July with Warner Bros. to adapt the best-seller into a live-action TV series.
Sources familiar with the pact noted it is the most expensive TV series that DC Entertainment has ever done.
The drama has officially been picked up with an 11-episode order.
Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, ABC’s The Catch, Grey’s Anatomy) is set to write and serve as showrunner on the straight-to-series drama.
Gaiman, who created the ongoing monthly comic, will executive produce alongside David Goyer.
The Sandman will be unconnected to the current Netflix version, and will feature a different interpretation of Lucifer Morningstar.
The website We Got This Covered is quoting sources that Good Omens star Michael Sheen is one actor that’s being eyed for the part.
Sheen’s potential involvement in the project isn’t a surprise, either, considering his close friendship with Gaiman means that he often stars in the celebrated writer’s productions.
Landing the part of Satan would also be a fun inversion of his Good Omens role – the angel Aziraphale.
[Life After Lucifer – Netflix Picks Up Sandman In Huge Financial Deal]
Sources all say that The Sandman‘s Lucifer will go on to appear in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Apparently Netflix’s series will essentially be part of the cinematic franchise, though we shouldn’t expect there to be any real connectivity (think how the various Defenders shows on Netflix were technically part of the MCU, but didn’t have much that connected them to the movies).
But there are plans to bring some of its characters into the DCEU later down the line and that includes Lucifer.
There’s no word on whether the DCEU Warner Bros. wants to use Lucifer, but we are aware that they have big plans for John Constantine.
No release date has been announced by Netflix.
The current Lucifer, starring Tom Ellis, is filming its final season.
Episodes will be released on Netflix in two 8-episode parts, the first later this spring.
Well IMHO, Sheen can’t hold a candle to Tom Ellis’ performance of Lucifer Morningstar. Tom has that role all wrapped around his finger. He set the gold standard when it came to playing Lucifer. No one will be able to even begin to hold a candle to Tom Ellis. I expected Netflix to carry on the current Lucifer for more than just 2 seasons once they picked it up from FOX. All the fans felt it is unfair of Netflix for shutting the series down so soon and now they want to bring in another series with a different actor? I think not! I’ve already decided to leave Netflix once ‘Lucifer’ is done and cancelled by Netflix.
NO! Tom, Tennant or no one.
Tom Ellis is the only actor who can play Lucifer! What are they thinking! I only subscribed to Netflix to see Lucifer after Fox so calously cancelled it. I love the message behind the show and look forward to the humour that plays such a huge part in each episode. No one can deliver the classy, debonair, loveable, narcissistic emotionally struggling Lucifer like Tom Ellis. So if Netflix has to end the Lucifer series at least do a spin off of Lucifer in another show with Tom Ellis playing Lucifer. Love the idea of a Highway to Hell show with Lucifer being played by Tom Ellis and Constantine! That’s a show I would love to see. As for Sandman’s Lucifer Morningstar being played by Michael Sheen, forget it. I will.
You guys do realize this will be an entirely different character right
The Lucifer of the comics of sandman and vertigo is very different from the Lucifer from tv show.And the sandman will be faithful to the comics,not more just to recast lucifer to Sadman.
PS:The fans of sandman don´tl ike lucifer shows for the way that portray the characters and the unfaithful story.Same as me.Sandman it´s a masterpiece from comics,the best comics ever created.
Tom Ellis or no one. He is lucifer
Sorry Netflix Tom Ellis is the only Lucifer that captures my attention.
Neil Gaiman tweeted that no one has been signed to play Lucifer or any other characters yet. He said he’s seen websites claiming Michael Sheen is set to play Lucifer and says its fake info.
I would like it, but sadly not optional. 🙁