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Considered one of the most successful graphic novels of all time, 12-issue series the Watchmen will see an on-screen adaption nearly 30 years after its initial release. Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, 2019 will see the comic come to life with the HBO network.
The comic book at the time, redefined the ideology of the superhero, with the story revolved around re-writing history and capturing American-Soviet anxieties as humanity inched closer to WWIII. While the comic continued to be loved by fans, it never saw a successful adaption in film nor television. The first remake was in 2009 with Zack Snyder’s cheesy version which was never deemed a success, and unlike the film, according to HBO, the television series will not be a direct take on the novel.
Taking to Instagram earlier this year, the Watchmen director Damon Lindelof’s (Lost and The Leftovers), outlined his plans for the series:
“We have no desire to ‘adapt’ the twelve issues [Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons] created thirty years ago. Those issues are sacred ground and they will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted …they will, however, be remixed,” he wrote on Instagram. “Some of the characters will be unknown. New faces. New masks to cover them. We also intend to revisit the past century of Costumed Adventuring through a surprising, yet familiar set of eyes… and it is here where we’ll be taking our greatest risk.”
As for the cast, Variety reported on some of the faces that will be seen on the screen. Actors including Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, among others, will star in the upcoming Watchmen series, although it is not said who will play what roles.
The new HBO Series is expected to air in 2019, after Lindelof begun the project in 2017. No date has been set for the premiere so stay tuned.
