Filmmaker Zack Snyder is busy preparing for DC's interconnected universe movies, starting with "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice," which will spawn more spin-offs. Now he wants to dip his hands into another DC project: turning "Watchmen" into a TV series. Entertainment Weekly has confirmed the director is already in talks with HBO executives regarding the possible project.
In 2009, Snyder has already picked up the "Watchmen" comic books and turned it into a movie under Warner Bros. While film critics gave him positive reviews, the movie bombed at the box office. But now that the audience is seeing more and more superhero movies, not to mention that our computer animation technology has never been more advanced, Snyder is hoping to get a second chance.
"Watchmen" was written by Alan Moore for DC Comics in 1986. It tells the story of an alternate world, closely resembling the United States during the '80s. Its themes include war and its effects on the society. The Watchmen--the superheroes in the story--are mostly common individuals without superpowers.
In 2012, a prequel series was released by DC, entitled "Before Watchmen." This eight-comic series focused on the background of each character of the original story.
It is unclear if Znyder plans to adapt the original "Watchmen" series or the prequel. HBO gave the following statement to Collider: "Preliminary discussions regarding 'Watchmen' have occurred but we have no additional information and no deals are in place."
Given that nothing is concrete at this point, Znyder has already met certain oppositions. Observer called the director out, saying, "Keep 'Watchmen' off our screens, big or small." It pointed out that "Watchmen" is an adult-themed comic books, one that is "dark, violent and controversial." While it noted that the story is also "life-changing," it also stated that "something has to be lost" if you translate a story from page to screen.
If the director's plans push through, TV viewers will have a plethora of superhero stories to follow. DC's "The Watchmen" will follow the likes of Marvel's "Jessica Jones," "Daredevil," "Agents of SHIELD," and "Agent Carter."
