With Netflix’s The Sandman concluding its second season, showrunner Allan Heinberg addressed the chance of Dream appearing in James Gunn’s DCU. Heinberg reflected on the series’ dramatic finale while sharing his thoughts on whether Jacob Anderson’s portrayal of Daniel Hall might join the ongoing DCU narrative.
Heinberg Explains Why The Sandman Has Remained Separate From the DCU
In an interview with TV Insider, Heinberg noted that The Sandman was developed independently, before James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of the DC franchise. He confirmed,
I don’t know. We, from the outset, started Sandman, before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over, and we very clearly said we are separate,
highlighting the intentional separation between the two properties. Heinberg also pointed out that this distinction allowed creative freedoms, saying,
We are not part of the DC Universe, which allowed us to do Joanna Constantine [Jenna Coleman], instead of John Constantine. It allowed us to sort of play by our own rules in relationship to the DCU.
Future Crossover Decisions Depend on James Gunn and Peter Safran
Although Heinberg seemed uncertain about Dream’s return to the DCU, he acknowledged that any crossover involving characters like Daniel Hall or Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s Death would be up to James Gunn and Peter Safran. He stated,
If there was a creator, or if James or Peter wanted there to be a crossover of some kind, that would be delightful to me. But it would be a decision of theirs rather than a decision of ours,
indicating that the future of The Sandman characters within the DCU lies in their hands.
The Sandman Season 2 Ending Sets the Stage for Daniel Hall’s Role
The closing episode reveals Tom Sturridge’s Morpheus accepting responsibility for killing his son, Orpheus, by willingly relinquishing his life. This act passes the mantle of Dream onto Daniel Hall, effectively concluding Morpheus’ story and potentially opening the door for new developments involving Dream’s legacy.
What This Means for the Future of the Sandman in the DC Universe
The conversation around a James Gunn Sandman DCU crossover remains open but uncertain. While the original creators of The Sandman respect their series’ independent origins, the transition in leadership at DC offers a possibility for integration. Should Gunn and Safran choose to explore this direction, fans may eventually see the Dream character, now embodied by Daniel Hall, join the broader DC Universe narrative, enriching both mythologies.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn prefer DC or Marvel?
A. In 1961, Gunn graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics. By 1966, he had completed his PhD in astronomy and physics at the California Institute of Technology. His dissertation focused on “The Statistical Distribution of Galaxies in Space and Some Cosmological Implications.”
Q. Does James Gunn prefer Marvel or DC?
A. The list includes Bane, General Zod, Ra’s Al Ghul, and Lex Luthor. However, the Joker stands out as the most well-known villain in DC comics.
Q. Is James Gunn DC or Marvel?
A. Famous for directing the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies for Marvel, Gunn joined DC Studios in 2018 after Marvel let him go due to old tweets resurfacing.
