We must be getting close to the release of HBO’sWatchmenseries, created byDamon Lindelof, because the network just dropped its first official teaser trailer. If you were expecting a rehash ofAlan Moore’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful graphic novel, you should know that this is an original story that uses the world ofWatchmenas a launching-off point. However, it appears to keep the continuity of the original story which was itself set in an alternate history in which the U.S. not only won the Vietnam War, it made the country the official 51st state, among other changes.
But this new look at theWatchmenseries looks much more locally focused than that. Some worldly elements may creep into the story as background, but it seems as if this tale will focus on a bunch of masked vigilantes inspired by Rorschach,“Sons of Batman” style, who battle against a department of small-town cops. Since superheroes in this universe are outlawed, we can probably expect them to get involved in some capacity, though they’ll find themselves caught between the law and the lawless.
(And a quick visual note: This trailer seems to be from HBO’s brand of “So dark you won’t even be able to see it!” That image above was artificially brightened so I, and you, could see what was going on. Two ofGame of Thronescinematographers–Chris SeagerandGregory Middleton–are on the crew list forWatchmen, so maybe it’s just HBO’s style now, but I hope that changes come air time.)
Check out the official teaser forWatchmenbelow:
Here’s the official synopsis forWatchmen:
Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, this drama series from executive producer Damon Lindelof embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own. The cast includes: Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Jean Smart, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Tom Mison, Frances Fisher, Jacob Ming-Trent, Sara Vickers and Dylan Schombing. Produced for HBO by White Rabbit in association with Warner Bros. Television, based on characters from DC; executive producer/writer Damon Lindelof; executive producer/pilot director, Nicole Kassell; executive producer, Tom Spezialy; executive producer/director, Stephen Williams; executive producer, Joseph Iberti.
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