Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joins Film Adaptation of LGBT-Inclusive Comic Book

Joseph Gordon-Levitt confirmed he's involved with a film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic graphic novel series Sandman Monday via Twitter.

The Don Jon star tweeted that he will be a producer of the movie and clarified that the cast is yet to be determined. Deadline previously reported that he may star as the series' protagonist, Morpheus, and could direct the film as well.

First published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint in 1989, Sandman was a horror-fantasy title that centered on the life of Morpheus, the personification of dreams. The series gained a rabid following for its unique blend of myth and magic, and it won numerous awards. The series repeatedly placed on the New York Times best-seller list -- an impressive feat for a graphic novel.

Sandman creator Neil Gaiman was and remains a strong supporter of queer diversity in his writing. Released when there were few LGBT characters in comics, the series showcased a variety of out characters, such as Cluracan, Hazel, Foxglove, and Desire.

A spin-off series, Death: The High Cost of Living, won a GLAAD Media Award in 1996. Gaiman also used his characters in an HIV prevention pamphlet distributed to schools in the mid-1990s.

Currently, a prequel mini-series to the original comic, titled Sandman: Overture, is in the works.