Audible has assembled an impressive cast of vocals for his upcoming audio drama based on Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, adding James McAvoy as Morpheus. Due to the book’s iconic reputation, McAvoy’s functionality depends heavily. Fortunately, he seems to have done his homework while presenting his interpretation of the Lord of Dreams. At a recent press roundtable (via CBR), McAvoy explained how he had adapted his voice to reflect Morpheus’s detachment from mortals.
“I didn’t mean to be human, it had to be something different,” McAvoy said. “He does not perceive human experience and yet serves human experience; is very hooked and is a component of human experience. It adds an important desire for humanity.
However, McAvoy added that he needed to “fall into the trap of betting on Spock” and make Morpheus absolutely remote, as it would be an attractive translation. Instead, he chose to accentuate Morpheus’s internal confusion after escaping his imprisonment.
“And those are all the things I think we can relate to as human beings,” McAvoy continued. “These are experiences, feelings, and contexts with which we can identify. So, although he is very, very different, he is also going through a rather identifiable human experience, so there will be an expansion and self-realization for him.” that, in a way, allows me to connect with him even if he’s that other one. thing.”
It also helps that McAvoy is a big fan of Gaiman’s work. In fact, McAvoy had lent his voice in the past to a radio drama founded on Neverwhere that also starred Benedict Cumberbatch and Natalie Dormer. Dirk Maggs directed the neverwhere and Sandman adaptation of Audible; that helped convince McAvoy to sign. In any case, his admiration for Gaiman’s story was evident.
“Personally, what I like about Gaiman’s writing are those strange and fantastic worlds,” McAvoy added. “But, in fact, characters you can identify with, even if they are the Lord of the Kingdom of Dreams and, strangely, they are not human. There’s something that forces you and takes you to them, as it creates strange adventures. The other thing is that many of Neil’s stories are ancient, but [The Sandman] is more episodic. Every week is almost a new adventure and there’s something fun about it. You get all those other amazing characters in other conditions every week and it’s a laugh too.”
Audible will deliver its first album Sandman on Wednesday, July 15.
Are you excited to hear McAvoy bring Morpheus to life in the new series? Let us know in the comments segment below!
Recommended reading: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes – Nocturnes Anniversary Edition