 Miramax originally had the option on ‘Stardust’, but after it  expired, Neil Gaiman (qv) felt uncomfortable giving up the rights  to the film to just anyone. After turning down numerous directors  and young actresses who wanted it as a starring vehicle, Gaiman  finally gave Stardusts option for free to Matthew Vaughn (qv).  This was largely due to the fact that Gaiman trusted Vaughn both as  a friend and as someone "who stuck to his word," something Gaiman  considered a rarity in Hollywood.