Damon Lindelof Responds to Reports Alan Moore Isn't Happy With His 'Watchmen' Show

When developing an adaptation, those behind it always face the risk of frustrating and disappointing the original creators. In the instance of HBO’s Watchmen, this seems to be proving the case, with reports indicating that original author Alan Moore is unhappy with showrunner Damon Lindelof’s rendition of his work--and Lindelof has a few strong words in response.

According to ScreenRant, Lindelof accepted that Moore, who is apparently known for disliking adaptations of his work on principle, had reportedly not veered from this position. Lindelof noted at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that Moore is "a genius" and expressed admiration for his “punk rock spirit, rebellious spirit” and subsequently remarked that, if a young Moore was discouraged from doing something, “he would say, ‘F**k you. I’m doing it anyway… so I’m channeling the spirit of Alan Moore to tell Alan Moore, ‘F**k you. I’m doing it anyway."

Though there are only scant details about the new Watchmen so far, Lindelof has expressed that the series will not directly adapt the original Watchmen or its non-Moore-created prequels or sequel. So far, teaser trailers have been released, revealing hints of a world in which superheroes have been outlawed.

In any case, we’re glad that Lindelof is attempting to make the series something all his own--and in the meantime, we’ll take Moore’s philosophy on adaptations as food for thought.