Given Dream's not infrequent brushes with the Immortal Bard, not to mention his somewhat high-minded diction and general theatricality, there is a definite sense that a Shakespearean actor could be the type to do the role justice. Tom Hiddleston is currently picking up excellent critical notices for his Coriolanus, a tragic hero noted for his streak of stubborn intractability and sense of his own moral superiority, characteristics that could easily apply to Dream. Having graduated from Cambridge with a double first in Classics, he would also have a good understanding of the mythological underpinnings of Morpheus' story and his world. However, it is not for roles like Coriolanus that Hiddleston has risen to international stardom. His performances as Marvel's Loki are both the reason why he could be in line for the Sandman role and the main stumbling block to his casting. As Loki, Hiddleston steals the show as a comic book fantasy vision of a vain, manipulative mythological being with a hugely dysfunctional family, making sure that the audience likes his morally dubious character, despite his myriad terrible acts. All of this is perfect for Sandman. However it also means both that Hiddleston's ongoing commitment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe might not leave much free time in his schedule for an ambitious project like this, while audiences who associate him with this Marvel character might not be keen on him also embodying this DC one. At least Hiddleston can rely on the author's support after Gaiman declared he would happily watch him, this list's next choice, or "somebody else as long as they've got good cheekbones!" as Dream.
