The 56-year-old writer has written extensively in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres over the years, with his novel American Gods about to hit small screens as a new TV series.
Express.co.uk caught up with Gaiman at the Empire Awards last Sunday evening, where he presented Best Sci-fi/Fantasy Film to A Monster Calls.
Other films in that category included Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them – both of which were only nominated in technical categories at the Oscars and other awards shows this year.
In an exclusive interview, we ask Gaiman why he thought such films were snubbed and why they were receiving more recognition, both critically and financially, today.
The author said: “I think they get snubbed because they are regarded as easy and in a weird way they can often be the hardest films there are to get right.
“Which is one reason why they are also the largest grossing films of the previous three decades – all Science Fiction, Fantasy, comic book based.
“Lord of the Rings and some of the superheroes just worked so well and worked for everybody.”
When asked why they received more acknowledgement today, Gaiman said: “I think the world is changing.”
The writer also slammed President Trump’s stance on immigration, noting how his American Gods TV series explores the theme – making it more relevant than ever before.
He added: “The world in which we grow up now is one where mainstream important literary novelists are very happy to write Fantasy novels.
“And in which the people making Fantasy and Science Fiction movies are the same directors and the same writers who are writing the heartbreaking mainstream films.
“You look at a film like Arrival. What’s the difference between a mainstream film – something like that – and a Science Fiction film saying big, important things?”
Daily Express :: Entertainment Feed
