Nearly ten years since Zack Snyder brought Alan Moore’s epic comic Watchmen to the big screen, HBO is moving further along with a fresh TV adaptation. The network has ordered a pilot to get the ball rolling, and a promising director has now signed on board.
Nicole Kassell is set to helm the opening episode — a TV veteran who’s previously worked on The Leftovers, Vinyl, The Americans, Better Call Saul, and The Killing. She also directed Kevin Bacon paedophile drama The Woodsman. The Leftovers is the most interesting connection here — Damon Lindelof, who created the acclaimed existential sci-fi drama, is acting as showrunner on HBO’s Watchmen. Kassell was behind Season 2 episode No Room at the Inn, and Season 3’s It’s A Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World.
Little is known about Lindelof’s take on the project — whether it will begin with a faithful and more expansive take on the original comic than Snyder’s bumper-length film, or zone in on a particular era of the comic series’ world.
Since Snyder’s adaptation was released, DC Comics have extended the Watchmen universe with prequel series Before Watchmen and main DC universe crossover Doomsday Clock. Both series were made without the involvement of original creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
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