Neil Gaiman News: Good Omens on BBC Radio, Hansel and Gretel Film

Neil Gaiman is always hard at work on a project or four, and his hard work is appreciated by millions of fans, so much so that his books are frequently adapted into films, TV shows, or radio programs. Currently, his beloved graphic novel series Sandman is being adapted for the big screen by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his novel American Gods is being made into a TV show by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green. But now, two new adaptations are in the works.

Cast of Good Omens

First, the cult favorite novel Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens, is coming to BBC Radio 4. The radio series will air in six parts in December of this year, and it begins recording today. Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Peter Serafinowicz will play the demon Crowley and Green Wing‘s Mark Heap will play the angel Aziraphale. Other notable members of the cast are Merlin‘s Colin Morgan, who will portray Newton Pulsifer, Josie Lawrence as Agnes Nutter, and Paterson Joseph as Famine. The enormous cast will also include Clive Russell (Ripper Street), Julia Deakin (Hot Fuzz), Louise Brealey (Sherlock), Phil Davis (Whitechapel), Mark Benton (Waterloo Road), Arsher Ali (Beaver Falls), and Simon Jones (Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy). Gaiman and Pratchett are also expected to provide cameo appearances.

In addition to Gaiman’s long-time hit coming to radio, one of his newest books, a graphic novel version of Hansel and Gretel, which will be released on October 28, is already being turned into a live-action movie. Juliet Blake is set to produce the film.

Neil Gaiman sounds excited for his version of the fairytale to come to the big screen, according to this quote from Variety:

For me, retelling Hansel and Gretel was a way of telling an old tale in a way that made it immediate and true, and about us, now. It reminds us of how paper thin civilisation really is. It’s about hunger, and about families.

I’m thrilled and delighted to be working with Juliet Blake to bring Hansel and Gretel to the world again, and to show people how much this story has to say to us.

This version of Hansel Gretel, it should be noted, has nothing to do with the recent movie version of the tale, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, which has a sequel in the works. But if we can have three different versions of Sherlock going on at the same time, I think the world can deal with two different Hansels and Gretels.

So what do you think about Neil Gaiman’s latest news? Which project are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments!