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HBO: 5 reasons to be excited for Watchmen

By Kelley Hey

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HBO’s take on Alan Moore’s Watchmen graphic novel is slated to be released later this year. Here are 5 reasons to be excited for its premiere.

HBO may have another massive hit up its sleeve with Watchmen, an upcoming speculative fiction series. Though HBO has yet to release an exact premiere date, it is a part of the network’s  2019 lineup. Some are predicting a release after Game of Thrones’‘ final season.

Watchmen is a take on Alan Moore’s popular graphic novel of the same name. Moore’s work is widely considered one of the greatest graphic novels of all time. Centering on a group of superheroes, the book explores what being a superhero means. HBO’s Watchmen is taking inspiration from the original novel rather than directly adapting it.

Here are 5 reasons to be excited for the upcoming series:

1. Damon Lindelof is at the helm

Damon Lindelof is the creator, co-executive producer, and co-writer of the production. Lindelof previously was heavily involved in Lost and The Leftovers. He was a showrunner and writer for both critically acclaimed shows.

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While the endings to his television creations have received mixed reactions, many can agree that Lindelof is a master of crafting compelling characters and creating mysterious environments. To me, Lost has some of the best written characters in television history.

Watchmen already has compelling characters and world building as part of its lore. It will be interesting to see what Lindelof does with this universe and how he develops it in his own vision.

2. It’s a different take on the material

Lindelof has stated that HBO’s Watchmen  is its own, unique story using aspects of the graphic novel. It’s a world new to everyone, even those who have read the graphic novel, as it is not a strict adaptation. This should ease fans worries of a true adaptation not accurately portraying the original work. Also, it separates itself from the 2009 film, which has very mixed reviews. Since the original work is somewhat dated, a fresh take will most likely reflect events and ideologies from current times.

3. The cast

The cast announced so far for Watchmen is impressive. It includes Academy Award-winner, Jeremy Irons, current Oscar favorite, Regina King, and three-time Emmy-winner, Jean Smart. These are only a few members of a diverse and talented cast. It will be thrilling to see these talents work together, especially if the characters are as great as Lindelof’s previous works.

4. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are composing the score

A score can enhance a story or detract from it. Watchmen‘s score is in good hands with the Nine Inch Nails’ duo. Besides Nine Inch Nails, the two are probably best known for their collaborations with David Fincher. They scored The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Gone Girl. Their work on Fincher’s films earned them multiple awards, including an Oscar. They excel at creating scores that are both thrilling and emotional. They are a perfect fit for the multi-faceted world of Watchmen.

5. The possibilities of social commentary

Speculative fiction appeals to many because the genre often explores social themes in fantastical settings. The original Watchmen is a perfect example of this. The novel explores the concept of “superheroes” in a social and political context.

Next. Dr. Manhattan will have a father in HBO Watchmen series. dark

Since Lindelof is creating his own story, he could continue on with this exploration, but in a more modern sense. Will there be references to a Trump America? Will technology and social media play into the “role” of a superhero?

With everything going on in today’s world, there is a lot for Lindelof to play with. I’m curious to see what directions he takes.

Watchmen will premiere on HBO sometime in 2019. 

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