The story is set three decades after the events in Moore’sWatchmentext.
Abar is investigating the reemergence of a white supremacist terrorist group inspired by the long-deceased moral absolutist Rorschach.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: AfterThe Leftovers, you probably could have done whatever you wanted.
“Why, whyWatchmen?”
The fantasy I indulged as a young man was maybe one day I can tellWatchmenstories.
The first two times [I was offered the opportunity to write aWatchmenadaptation] it was incredibly tempting.
I said no for various reasons.
And secondly, revisiting the source material meant adapting something that I knew was so perfect.
I knew the best job I could do adapting the originalWatchmenwas just being a really good cover band.
That depends on whether I have the right idea.
But when you get really inspired you have to chase it even if it leads to ruin.
Can we accept that what happened in the comic/film happened in the past of your world?
We treat the original 12 issues as canon.
That’s what I think a sequel is the continuation of an old story.
But the actor is not appearing, right?
I’ve had a lot of reservations about a lot of the creative choices made in the show.
I don’t think any of the choices were made without reservations and conversations and ultimately a decision.
We had that conversation you’re suggesting.
But that doesn’t mean it worked out the way he wanted it to.
And that’s not on him, that’s on us.
We’re living in a world where fossil fuels have been eliminated as a power source.
So … good luck sound biting that!
Also, the superhero genre always feels like it takes place in New York, Gotham City or Metropolis.
And Gotham City and Metropolis are just New York paradigms.
So I was like: What does a superhero show look like in Oklahoma?
I also just felt that tickle in my gut that was like,Do it here.
Did that factor into your thinking as well?
Nobody onWatchmencan do that.
What’s the trauma an individual has that goes into the mask they wear?
All that feltWatchmen-y to me.
You have a sprawling cast.
The opportunity to make her the star of the show is one of the reasons this was worth doing.
I’m not sure even after watching the pilot I know what that means?Very insightful.
By the end of the sixth episode, it will be clear who I was talking about.
There won’t be any space for debate.
Landing Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor as your composer was a big get for a TV show.
He’s got such a specific style and the music makes a pretty big impact.
WithThe Leftovers,I wanted the show to sound different thanLostso we got Max Richter, who was amazing.
At the top of my wish list were Trent and Atticus.
They signed up on faith and faith alone.
They get the scripts at the same time the actors do.
It’s been incredible.
Is that an accurate read?
But when I’m freaked out is when I get excited.
I can’t write or create from a nervous, scared space.
It is not real.
There was a lot of confusion about what the film was actually about.
The last thing we wanted to do was make a “message” movie.
Spoiler alert: Things don’t turn out great for them.
What was your reaction to Universal canceling the film’s release?
