Creating a shared universe on-screen is tough work, especially if you’re starting at the ground-level like Warner Bros is doing with their DC Comics properties.
Currently the studio has nine films currently either in production or in pre-production stages, which are slated to establish the DC Cinematic Universe (The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, etc…).
With all that in mind, it left many to wonder about the status of films like Sandman and Guillermo Del Toro‘s long simmering Dark Universe. According to THR, the former, and most other Vertigo adaptations, will now be handled by WB’s sister arm New Line, which they absorbed many a moon ago.
Strangely, Dark Universe will remain at Warner Bros, and will conceivably continue to be attached to the DC properties that surround it. The bad news? Del Toro is off the project, which sadly, is not a new feeling where he’s concerned. On the other hand, Shazam! will continue to be developed by New Line, meaning much like the Vertigo properties they’re working on, Shazam! may very well not be connected to the DC Cinematic Universe either.
You get all that? In summary: all of Warner Bros. superhero movies except Shazam! will be developed by WB, all Vertigo movies except Dark Universe will be developed by New Line. I’m getting a headache just thinking about it.
Several years ago, Neil Gaiman was set to direct an adaption of Death the High Cost of Living through New Line, with Guillermo del Toro as executive producer. However, since it was a small budget ($15 million?) film it got moved to Warner Independent which unfortunately was closed down by Warner Brothers in 2008.
Maybe, with New Line specifically picking up Vertigo line, this can happen again?
Rather than a Joseph Gordon Levitt Sandman movie, so much more exciting would be a Death movie, especially one with Neil Gaiman not just writing but directing!