Joseph Gordon-Levitt is close to a deal to produce a "Sandman" film adaptation with David Goyer, as reported Monday by Deadline. This follows reports from last month that Goyer pitched a "Sandman" movie to DC Comics parent company Warner Bros., with Gordon-Levitt attached in the starring role.

According to Deadline, Gordon-Levitt's deal to produce also attaches him to star, and he's "eyeing the project as a directing vehicle." Gordon-Levitt's first directorial effort, "Don Jon," debuted this year to a positive response, but as Deadline notes, "Sandman" would be a much bigger production than the romantic comedy. The site says a writer for the adaptation will be hired soon.

Written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by a variety of artists, "The Sandman" is one of the most celebrated comic book series of all time. It ran for 75 issues from 1988 to 1996, and led to the creation of DC's mature readers imprint, Vertigo. Gaiman recently returned to the concept with the "Sandman: Overture" miniseries, which debuted this past October.

Goyer and Gordon-Levitt previously worked together on another DC Comics adaptation, 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises" -- with a story credited to Goyer and Christopher Nolan, and featuring Gordon-Levitt in a prominent supporting role.