Who watches the Watchmen?
If Damon Lindelof gets his way, we all will on a brand new HBO television series. Variety reported on Tuesday that HBO is in talks with Lindelof to create a TV series based on the critically acclaimed DC Comics graphic novel.
Lindelof, who also created the critically acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers, is in talks to run the new series. HBO has not commented on the possibilities of a Watchmen TV show but they have held the rights to the property since 2014.
Released originally in comic book format in 1985 by DC Comics, Watchmen chronicled the lives of a former team of superheroes living normal lives after the government outlawed vigilantism. The world is a different place, with the United States winning the Vietnam War and Richard Nixon remaining the president into the 1980s. The plot involves the murder of a former superhero and the investigation by his former partners.
The Watchmen comics were gathered together in a graphic novel in 1987. That book ended up as one of the best known graphic novels in history. Both Time and Entertainment Weekly named it one of the best novels – graphic or otherwise – of all time.
Alan Moore, the author of the original comics, has had a number of his works brought to the big screen including V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Watchmen itself in 2009. That movie, directed by Zack Snyder, was one of the most loyal comic book adaptations ever made, outside of the actual ending.
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The new Watchmen HBO TV series will have nothing to do with the movie, although Damon Lindelof has admitted to a great admiration of both the comics and the Zack Snyder adaptation.
"“From the flashbacks to the nonlinear storytelling to the deeply flawed heroes, these are all elements that I try to put into everything I write.”"
Zack Snyder himself was once attached to the HBO Watchmen television series but is no longer part of the deal. If Damon Lindelof gets the green light, this version will be completely separate from the original ideas for the series.
DC Comics has recently also brought back the Watchmen characters and placed them into the same storyline as regular superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. There is no word on what timeframe the Watchmen HBO TV series would take place.