Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who had been developing a Sandman movie as producer, star, and director since 2013 (see "'Sandman' Movie"), is off the project, he announced on Facebook.  Gordon-Levitt tied his departure to Warners’ decision to move development of the film to Warner Bros.’ sister company New Line, along with all the other Vertigo properties (see "'Sandman' Movie to New Line").  "I came to realize that the folks and New Line and I just don’t see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special, and what a film adaptation could/should be," he wrote.  "...[I]t’s been a particular privilege as well as a rocking good time getting to know Mr. Gaiman, whose generous insights and masterful work have certainly convinced me that the Lord of Dreams and the Prince of Stories are one and the same Endless pattern."

Gordon-Levitt’s departure doesn’t mean work on the New Line Sandman film is ending, however.  New Line has hired Eric Heisserer, best known for horror scripts (A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing), to write a screenplay based on David Goyer’s treatment, according to The Hollywood Reporter.