There are novels throughout time that are deemed “unfilmable.” Works that are so detailed, so intricate, and so unique that attempting to adapt them would defeat the purpose and always come off as inferior, no matter what. For comic book fans, errr Graphic Novel Aficionados, the story that has always been seen as unfilmable is Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s “Watchmen.”
As you know, Zack Snyder did his best to adapt the film, going for an almost frame-by-frame remake of the comic series. Depending on who you talk to, it’s either one of the best comic book adaptations ever or one of the worst. There’s really no middle ground. However, everyone can agree that to fully experience the film, you must watch the long director’s cut. But to say the film was a success is an overstatement.
READ MORE: Damon Lindelof Talks ‘Watchmen’ & Why “What We Think About Superheroes Is Wrong”
Then came word that HBO has enlisted writer Damon Lindelof to go back to the “Watchmen” well and create a TV series based on the acclaimed comic book series. Needless to say, this raised a few eyebrows (and exasperated cries) from fans not ready to accept yet another attempt to adapt their cherished story. To calm those fears, and attempt to win the hearts and minds of comic book fans, Lindelof took to Instagram to explain his motivations (aka beg for approval) and what fans can expect with his show.
“We have no desire to ‘adapt’ the twelve issues Mr. Moore and Mr. Gibbons created thirty years ago,” Lindelof wrote. “Those issues are sacred ground and will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted.”
“They will, however, be remixed,” he continued. “Because the bass lines in those familiar tracks are just too good and we’d be fools not to sample them. Those original twelve issues are our Old Testament. When the New Testament came along it did not erase what came before it.”
Finally, Lindelof gave what is the best description for the series we’ve gotten so far, explaining how it will be the same, but still very new and definitely NOT a sequel:
“This story will be set in the world its creators painstakingly built…but in the tradition of the work that inspired it, this new story must be original. It has to vibrate with the seismic unpredictability of its own tectonic plates. It must ask new questions and explore the world through a fresh lens. Most importantly, it must be contemporary. The Old Testament was specific to the Eighties of Reagan and Thatcher and Gorbachev. Ours needs to resonate with the frequency of Trump and May and Putin and the horse that he rides around on, shirtless. And speaking of Horsemen, The End of the World is off the table…which means the heroes and villains–as if the two are distinguishable–are playing for different stakes entirely.”
“Some of the characters will be unknown,” Lindelof continues. “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 we will be taking our greatest risks.”
HBO is betting big on Lindelof and “Watchmen.” The series has the potential to be massive for the cable network, but Lindelof knows that he has to win over the fans. However, the easiest way to do that would be to make a quality series. Here’s hoping that’s what he has up his sleeves. Color me cautiously optimistic.
Read the full letter below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFsj6JHEdq/