Fans of The Sandman were excited to hear that a Batman cameo was almost part of the upcoming series finale. Showrunner Allan Heinberg recently revealed that the idea was briefly discussed. It would have honored Neil Gaiman’s original comics, where Batman appears during Morpheus’ funeral in The Wake.
Batman Cameo Was “Briefly” Discussed for the Finale
While the Netflix adaptation has largely avoided direct DC crossovers, Heinberg confirmed that one major character was discussed:
“We talked about, ‘Does Robert Pattinson want to come to the funeral?’ Briefly, we did discuss that, but only briefly.”
Though the scene never materialized, fans continue to speculate how it might have looked. A visual cue—like the back of Batman’s iconic cowl among the mourners—could have served as a subtle tribute without requiring a full appearance. Still, the inclusion of such a Batman cameo would have been a landmark moment for the series.
Superman Reference Made It, But Batman Cameo Didn’t
The show may have skipped Batman, but Superman managed to sneak in. In the bonus episode Death: The High Cost of Living, a reference to the Man of Steel caught the attention of many viewers, especially with James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film on the horizon.
When asked about the reference, Heinberg clarified:
“I didn’t! I don’t even know if James Gunn watches the show, but I hope so. No, it was that I tried to work in as many DC references as I can.”
He elaborated that the character of Sexton, played by Colin Morgan, represents an everyday version of a hero—someone striving to make a difference, even when it feels impossible.
“It was one of those things where Colin (Morgan) really wanted to show the—not arrested side of Sexton—but his playful side. This is someone who, before this moment, had a lot of joy and idealism. He’s trying to be out there and, as a climate emergency reporter for The Guardian, he’s trying to be a superhero. But he’s feeling like he’s failing every time he turns around.
So, because we meet him at such a low point, we wanted to show the audience that this isn’t who he usually is. This is someone with big ideals and big dreams—someone who wants to be a hero. And Superman is the cleanest symbol of that.”
Heinberg added:
“I’ve been putting DC Comics stuff into everything I’ve written for as long as I can remember. So it was a very natural thing to go to Superman.”
The Sandman Season 2 Wraps Up a Mythical Journey
The second season promises a dramatic and emotional conclusion for Dream. Netflix’s official synopsis reads:
“After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything. Based on the beloved award-winning DC comic series, the second season of The Sandman will tell Dream’s story arc in full to its thrilling conclusion.”
This time, Dream must face gods, monsters, mortals, and his regrets. Every decision has a cost, and forgiveness may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Cast: Who’s Returning for Season 2?
The ensemble cast of The Sandman returns in full force, including:
- Tom Sturridge
- Kirby Howell-Baptiste
- Mason Alexander Park
- Donna Preston
- Gwendoline Christie
- Patton Oswalt
- Jenna Coleman
- Stephen Fry
- Jack Gleeson
- And many more…
While fans may be disappointed that a Batman cameo didn’t make it into the show, it’s clear that The Sandman is still rich with DC influences. From Superman to mythological gods, the series blends comic book lore with a unique, mature narrative style.
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Sebastian Kind