• Netflix is “considering batching approaches” for the next season of The Sandman.
• The project could have been a full-length movie.
• But was stuck in development hell for years.

Netflix took a while for The Sandman to be produced. The project, which could have been a full-length movie, had been stuck in development hell for years, with different talent being added at various points.

But when Netflix agreed to produce it as a series, things started to move, and Neil Gaiman’s most accurate comic book adaptation came to life. Both viewers and critics took to the show right away, but despite its popularity, Season 2 was never renewed.

The streamer is “considering batching approaches” for the upcoming iteration, according to Peter Friedlander, head of UCAN scripted TV at Netflix, who discussed the delay in a recent interview.

The Sandman made its debut in August of this year to great fanfare and critical acclaim, but both creator Gaiman and the fans were very upset when the series was renewed.

Even though the viewership numbers were in the series’ favour, everyone was concerned because a high fantasy series is quite expensive to produce.

In the end, the series was renewed in November after a lengthy hiatus of three long months. Streamer wanted to “spend the time to get creatively aligned around what would be the next, best experience with The Sandman,” according to Friedlander.

In order to “really talk through and be thoughtful about what the approach should be — because Season 1 is also very thoughtful and intentional,” they wanted to spend time with Gaiman and showrunner Allan Heinberg.

So getting our ducks in a row was really what took the extra time. It’s interesting to note that rather than calling the new season a traditional Season 2, Netflix carefully crafted its announcement when the show was renewed, calling it “a continuation of ‘The Sandman’ world.” Friedlander revealed they are considering a new strategy for the series when asked about the reluctance to call it a second season.

“There are decisions that haven’t been made, but we are considering batching approaches. Everything’s on the table when it comes to ‘Sandman.’ It’s an innovative show.”

Instead of being categorized as a season, perhaps the streamer wants to be more in line with the comic book’s “volumes” and based on the plot in the issues.

The fans are further reassured by Friedlander by saying that “The Sandman always takes his own path. I genuinely think that. The Sandman had a surprise eleventh episode with two storylines in it, “Calliope” and the animated “Dream of a Thousand Cats,” whereas most series have an 8–10 episode run. The reason for the show’s popularity, according to Friedlander, is that “it was such a discovery, and it was such an invention.”

Adding to that,

“That’s what we’re trying to honor as we continue to tell this story, and it shouldn’t follow any path other than its own. And I genuinely believe that, and I want to help tell the story in that way with Neil and Allan, and protect the storytelling so it’s the best experience it can be. And so part of that is also just keeping it secret till we know more!”

On Netflix, The Sandman is available to stream in its entirety.

‘The Sandman’ trailer below:

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