Just remember, American Gods was a placeholder title as well, if memory serves.
With thanks to my anonymous LiveJournal benefactor.
From the July 22nd Variety
New Line reaps Gaiman’s ‘Death’: Graphic novelist in talks to make helming debut
By CLAUDE BRODESSER, DANA HARRIS
“Death” has a new lease on life at New Line Cinema.
Graphic novel “Death: The High Cost of Living” has landed at the minimajor in turnaround from Warner Bros. Pictures, and its creator, graphic novelist Neil Gaiman, is in negotiations to make his helming debut on the pic.
Gaiman wrote the script based on his own work. Project is currently titled “Death’s Day.”
Story involves a teenager named Sexton who’s been contemplating suicide. He is rescued by a mysterious teenager who claims she is Death herself, spending one day every 100 years on earth to learn the value of the lives she takes. Film takes place over 24 hours as Sexton learns to love life by spending a day with Death.
Film was originally developed at Warners by Angryfilms principal Don Murphy (“From Hell,” “LXG”), who will remain its producer at New Line.
“Death’s” progress to production will be supervised by New Line production prexy Toby Emmerich and senior VP Stokely Chaffin.
Gaiman is the creator of “The Sandman,” a bestselling 10-volume graphic novel published by DC Comics. He’s also the author of books like “American Gods” and the kids bestseller “Coraline.”