HBO is dipping its toes into the superhero genre with a Watchmen TV series from Damon Lindelof.
Back in June, we reported that HBO was in early talks with Damon Lindelof to develop a TV series based on DC’s famous Watchmen comics, which were previously developed into a so-so movie adaptation (confession: I actually thought it was really good, but I have been told that this is not the ~correct~ opinion).
Now, Entertainment Weekly reports that HBO has chosen to move ahead with producing a pilot for the series — which HBO will then use to determine whether or not the series will be picked up for a full season.
Damon Lindelof, a huge nerd, co-created the smash hit series Lost with J.J. Abrams, and went on to do The Leftovers for HBO. His writing credits also include Star Trek: Into Darkness, World War Z and Tomorrowland.
He is no stranger to the comic book scene, having written the animated series Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk as well as numerous Batman and Superman-centric DC Comics.
The Watchmen series is set in an alternate universe where superheroes have influenced the course of history. The Watchmen are a group of gritty heroes that unravel a massive conspiracy.
Zack Snyder, who directed the 2009 movie version, was previously in talks to develop the pilot for HBO, but according to EW, Damon Lindelof is set to create his very own version. With the upcoming conclusion of HBO’s tentpole drama Game of Thrones (as well as the end of The Leftovers), the cable network is looking for new high-concept dramas, which also include several Game of Thrones spin-offs.
HBO is a good fit for Watchmen, and Damon Lindelof is a very accomplished storyteller whose work I personally really enjoy — so I’m gonna go out on a limb and say we hope that this project is picked up to series!