Preludes & Nocturnes
Part One
Roughly in order of appearance. Not everyone in the series is cast, because that would be close to insane, but I'm trying to include everyone worthwhile. The way I see this being adapted is each story-arc like a six episode HBO miniseries with an all-star cast. Movie level direction and special effects, with the space necessary to bring The Sandman to life. I'm going to go through all of the major storylines, and then go back and do a lot of the one shots. Maybe even i'll do all of them. I'm hoping to have "A Doll's House" up by the weekend (i'm mostly finished, but i'll be busy the next few days). Then I'll work on "Season of Mists".
Dr. John Hathaway – John Hurt
Hathaway is the man working for the British Museum who seeks Burgess' aid to bring an end to death. He supplies Burgess. For this i needed someone with the wormy insecurities that would be necessary with the role, as well as the authority. My first instinct was John Hurt from V from Vendetta and Hellboy.
Roderick Burgess – Terrence Stamp
Burgess is known as The Daemon King, and is supposed to be a rival of Crowley in the dark arts. I needed someone who's presence is commanding, and casted Stamp because I would like to see how he would handle a more purely sadistic villain for a change, rather than the apathetic warlord type.
Young Alex Burgess – Sterling Beaumon
He looks the part, and Lost proved that he can act with more depth than most of his peers. Alex is a relatively silent role, but integral, as it is Young Alex who confronts Morpheus after his escape.
Alex Burgess – James Woods
The older Alex Burgess needed to be someone bitter who could still hold a weighty presence. Woods' sardonic voice I feel would be perfect for the role.
Mr. Sykes – Michael K. Williams
Sykes's presence is felt more in the series than he actually appears in it. He needs to look subserviant, the sort of man who follows orders well enough to gain some status, but also scheming. I think that Omar from The Wire more than fills the part.
Cain – Geoffrey Rush
I spent a day and a half thinking about this, and it hit me this morning. Rush has the perfect voice, the perfect look, and the proper air around herself. I can't think of anyone more suited for this role other than a magically alive and younger Vincent Price.
Abel – Paul Giamatti
My first thought was Timothy Spall, but that seemed far too obvious, until Shade suggested Giamatti as a dark horse candidate for the part. Then I imagined him paired up against Geoffrey Rush and it all came into view.
Lucien – Anthony Stewart Head
I simply cannot imagine anybody else in the role. You need the more finicky aspect of his giles character, and all of his empathy. Lucien is in many ways the primary instance of Gaiman humanizing Morpheus. You also need someone who can assert authority over the other dreams when he needs to, which I think he is fully capable of.
The Three (Hecatae, The Kindly Ones, The Fates, The Furies, The Graces):
The Mother – Bernadette Peters
Peters has made a career of powerful women, and she's even played a witch before. She has this youthful quality to her face, and you should add about a decade and a half to the above image (yet she's retained her looks). The Mother seems to serve as somewhat of a leader, when you see them in human disguises at least.
The Maiden – Missi Pyle
Pyle has always had this intensely inhuman quality to her that I wanted to use for this. She was my first choice for all three of the women.
The Crone – Zelda Rubinstein
I dare you to find someone who looks more like an evil old witch.
