The love and devotion put into Netflix’s ambitious live-action adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s seminal comic The Sandman is obvious; from what we’ve seen so far, it looks spectacular. But there’s one thing fans have been left in the dark on: the soundtrack. Finally, it’s been confirmed that acclaimed composer David Buckley is working on the series.
Buckley’s discography stretches far and wide. The Sandman won’t be his first comic book project since he’s also provided music for Wonder Woman (2017). Any gamers out there may know him from his work on Call of Duty: Ghosts.
The Sandman may well be his biggest challenge yet. Anyone who’s read the comics will tell you that it’s not a simple story. Some issues are set in the past, others deal with myth and legend, and much more besides. As a result, Buckley will have to work in different musical genres depending on the episode or even the scene.
“I embraced the full orchestra and a choir,” Buckley told Variety. “Early on, I also embraced the viola da gamba and baroque flutes. I incorporated some esoteric sounds that are intentionally hard to define.”
Some of his score can be heard in the latest teaser for the show. Note the mystical sounds and the grand orchestral beat as Dream enters his realm:
For Buckley, the most important thing about the score was creating something that would really connect with the characters, which is tricky. Lead character Morpheus isn’t human, after all; he’s an anthropomorphic personification of dreams.
What will Death sound like? Or Despair? That’s where the real challenge lies.
Neil Gaiman: The Sandman would be the “same show” on HBO Max
Meanwhile, The Sandman creator Neil Gaiman is once again shooting down myths about the TV show over on Twitter. Just lately he responded to a fan who said they had “zero faith” in Netflix pulling off the show and would rather see it on HBO Max. In response, Gaiman assured everyone that since The Sandman is being made by Warner. Bros, it wouldn’t be any different if it were on HBO Max.
The brand loyalty to networks fascinates me. Sandman is being made by @warnerbrostv, the same people who would have made it if HBO Max had won the bidding war to put it on their platform, by the same team HBO would have been bidding for. Same show. https://t.co/zRniehAnMn
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 13, 2022
Of course, fans are always worried that The Sandman will end up being canceled. Netflix has gained a reputation for canceling its original shows over the years. Most recently, their sci-fi show Cowboy Bebop was axed. Gaiman has faith that we’ll see Netflix’s Sandman cover all of the comics. “HBO cancelled the Time Traveler’s Wife, Lovecraft Country and Gentleman Jack,” he noted. “It’s the show, not the network.”
The Sandman is the most expensive show DC Entertainment has ever produced. It premieres on August 5 on Netflix. We can expect a trailer during the show’s panel at this year’s SDCC, which goes down July 21-24.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels