WATCHMEN (Damon Lindelof's new "remix" series for HBO)

[junior94]

Okay I'm not one of the original Watchmen worshipers, in fact I'm not even a comics reader, despite heartily following most comic book movies. I did dig Zack Snyder's 2009 film. But I remain a pretty big Damon Lindelof fan (though I do have very legitimate issues with parts of Prometheus). And so put these all together, and I greatly look forward to the new Watchmen pilot he's writing for HBO.




Which is important to remember, technically for now it's still only a pilot. But I'll be surprised if it doesn't get picked up. More importantly, he's absolutely NOT doing anything even close to a straight adaptation. The more you read about it, it actually makes me think a bit of what he did with season 2 of The Leftovers. It 100% takes place in the same world as the graphic novel, all that is canon, but it's not a sequel, the "remix" was his word. Many new characters. Basically writing a new story.



He posted this open letter on his Instagram all about it, partially written very much in a Dr. Manhattan-type style.


https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFsj6JHEdq/


Regina King, Tim Blake Nelson, Don Johnson, Lou Gosset Jr, Adelaide Clemens and Andrew Howard have all been cast. Nicole Kassell is directing the pilot, she's got a shit load of TV on her resume including the Leftovers, Westworld, The Americans and Better Call Saul.

[fridge112887]

So I'm assuming:

Adelaide Clemens is Silk Spectre
Tim Blake Nelson is Ozymandias
Andrew Howard is Rorschach
Don Johnson is the Comedian

Loved Snyder's 2009 film. Still holds up as one of my favorite comic films

[TwoStep2888]

I'm not a big comics guy but Snyder's Watchmen is one of my favorite movies, I'll keep an eye on this

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by fridge112887

So I'm assuming:

Adelaide Clemens is Silk Spectre
Tim Blake Nelson is Ozymandias
Andrew Howard is Rorschach
Don Johnson is the Comedian

Loved Snyder's 2009 film. Still holds up as one of my favorite comic films

No, that’s the thing. As Kevin pointed out, it will be set in the same universe but seek to expand upon it. In the Instagram post he linked to, Lindelof said: “Some of the characters will be unknown. New faces. New masks to cover them.”

A character list supposedly leaked a few weeks ago: https://geektyrant.com/news/characte...men-adaptation

I was skeptical to begin with, and the casting news doesn’t really move the needle for me. In Lindelof I trust though, I guess.

[Drwbllz]

Originally Posted by clayj41

No, that’s the thing. As Kevin pointed out, it will be set in the same universe but seek to expand upon it. In the Instagram post he linked to, Lindelof said: “Some of the characters will be unknown. New faces. New masks to cover them.”

A character list supposedly leaked a few weeks ago: https://geektyrant.com/news/characte...men-adaptation

I was skeptical to begin with, and the casting news doesn’t really move the needle for me. In Lindelof I trust though, I guess.

Disagree here. I really liked Don Johnson in Eastbound and Down and he's never been someone whose work I sought out. As a child of the 80's Chappy/Lou Gossett is the man. Diggstown is one of my favorite movies of all time. I'm not familiar with any of the other names Junior listed offhand.

[Arby]

I’m looking forward to it. The comic is amazing and I enjoyed the movie.

I should revisit the movie actually...what’s the best cut of it? Directors cut?

[Joruus]

Originally Posted by Arby

I’m looking forward to it. The comic is amazing and I enjoyed the movie.

I should revisit the movie actually...what’s the best cut of it? Directors cut?

If you want the version that includes the Black Freighter in it (like the comic), the Ultimate Cut is what you're after.

If you want just the movie, the Director's Cut will do ya good.

[Arby]

Originally Posted by Joruus

If you want the version that includes the Black Freighter in it (like the comic), the Ultimate Cut is what you're after.

If you want just the movie, the Director's Cut will do ya good.

Thanks!

[junior94]

Still no specific premiere date beyond just 2019, but HBO has officially picked it up for an entire season.

[junior94]

We got ourselves a proper teaser trailer, bitches.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zymgtV99Rko




and a minor point, but the Don Johnson casting choice doesn't necessarily totally come out of nowhere. Lindelof has a connection to him, the first real TV job he had in Hollywood was when he was hired by the showrunner for Nash Bridges, who just happened to be Carlton Cuse.
I'd initially guessed they were going to put this trailer either right before or after the Thrones finale episode.

[fridge112887]

So stoked for this

[bradshaw06]

Trailer reminded me of fight club.

[M. Steng]

Looks awesome. Movie is highly underappreciated, can’t wait to see how they expand on that universe.

[TheLastStop123]

That’s a hell of a trailer. I’m always down for Damon Lindelof.

[TwoStep2888]

Cool trailer

[snake911]

Looks decent, I like the idea of doing stories in the same world but not trying to straight remake the comic. I was disappointed in the movie, it lost most of what made the comic great for me. Granted, I'm probably a little too worshipful of the comic. This looks like it could be in the vein of the Beyond Watchmen comics, which were a little hit and miss but still nice to have stories within the Watchmen world. If you are a fan of the comic the current Doomsday Clock sequel is great. I'm just hoping they get around to actually finishing it.

[pearljammer]

Seems like everything being put out these days is comic book related.

[DMBZeppelin]

Comic-Con Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yKq1PRvPJQ

[TwoStep2888]

I am very down with this

[junior94]

If you hadn't heard, the series premiere date is set for Oct 20, so just about a month and a half away.
there's a new little featurette


https://youtu.be/nVK1-1vwAzE


So it sure as hell seems confirmed that there will indeed be a Dr Manhatten, but they've kept his casting under wraps. I wonder the smallest chance that it's Billy Crudup. Jeremy Irons is playing the older Ozymandas, but if I understand DM's character right, he shouldn't age, right? Not to say it can't be a different actor of course, but it'd be a cool touch.

[junior94]

I haven't watched the debut yet myself, though as of this posting it has aired on the east coast. probably will at the latest sometime early tomorrow.


But figured I'd mention this for now, if anyone else anticipating the series had missed it, I was a little surprised to hear it. Apparently there's a solid chance this season will be it, that yeah it'll be the 'sequel' as they've been open about, but it'll be one and done. Even if it does well with its ratings, that may still be the case. Lindelof approached this thing meaning to tell a full story in this one "season", of the I think 8 episodes it's going to be.
Though of course as with the Leftovers previously, he and his writing team didn't decide anything of what season 2 wound up being for that until they were totally done with s1, which used up all of its source book material then.


critics were given the first 6 episodes already, though I didn't go too deep into any of the reviews, the surface level response has been really positive.

[AndySlash]

this was fantastic and exceeded my expectations. lindelhof really knows how to start a show. hopefully he can maintain this type of quality, that will be the real test. but i’m 100% on board. don johnson and regina king were great.

[bradshaw06]

Thought it was ok. Was not overwhelmed or underwhelmed

[WidespreadMule3]

Definitely gonna check this out one day this week.

[rconverse]

I don't know anything about The Watchmen outside of the movie but I tought the premiere was pretty good. Based on what they showed as upcoming, looks like it gets better.

[sheldonlevene]

Was prepared to not care about this. Enjoyed the heck out of the first ep.

[TimHonks]

Will I be lost if I know nothing about this? No comics or movie.

[M. Steng]

@sheldon Same here. Really captivated by that first episode and can't wait to see what they have in store.

I always loved the whole "vibe" of the Watchmen universe. Between the comic and the movie, this seems to fit into that world very nicely.

[vkratliff]

Originally Posted by TimHonks

Will I be lost if I know nothing about this? No comics or movie.

Maybe not completely lost, but it'll be exponentially more rewarding if you read the book first. (And it's well worth your time to do that anyway.)

[sheldonlevene]

Agreed. Also interesting that they went all in on the comic squid ending vs. the more "realistic" take from 09. I think to the posters question - watching at least the extended cut movie would be a good hw exercise. The book is very worth reading and you can find a copy at half price easily.