“Lost” and “The Leftovers” creator Damon Lindelof has dared to take on a risky project with “Watchmen” 2019. On the one hand, the HBO miniseries was intended to continue author Alan Moore’s groundbreaking comic book (which only a gigantic task is enough), but on the other hand it also has to attract viewers without prior knowledge.
Ultimately, Lindelof not only mastered this balancing act with flying colors, but also created a complex series highlight with a top cast, which also skilfully tackles major social issues in her miserable (anti-)hero story. It’s no coincidence that the series has won eleven proud Emmys and has been on countless lists of the best of the year, including ours:
Ironically, “Watchmen” creator Alan Moore is anything but thrilled with Damon Lindelof’s adaptationas he has now revealed in a detailed new interview with GQ.
Alan Moore doesn’t believe in adaptations
Moore, who in addition to “Watchmen” is also responsible for other cult comics such as “From Hell”, “V for Vendetta” or “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, has always known that he doesn’t like film adaptations of his works. According to him, his material is destined for narration in the comedic medium and absolutely unsuitable for movies.
Although he initially lent his name to monetization adaptations, he now insists that he be unnamed in connection with such projects, in order to distance himself from them as much as possible. In principle, he does not even look at the finished results – but that does not stop him from scolding them, as in the case of “Watchmen”.
Alan Moore wipes Damon Lindelof off
Anyone who, given the quality of the “Watchmen” series, had hoped that Alan Moore would change their mind here will be better educated by the comics legend’s sayings. His disinclination to the project may also be related to the fact that he received a letter from Damon Lindelof asking for advice, although Moore alleges to producing studio Warner Bros. made it clear that none of whose employees should ever contact him.
That Lindelof, well aware of Moore’s critical stance, also began his writing with self-contempt with the words “I’m one of the bastards who are destroying ‘Watchmen’ right now” and then, according to Moore, “a lot of neurotic chatter ‘ went on, didn’t get much acclaim from the comic book author either.
» “Watchmen” at WOW*
Still, Moore felt compelled to reply, but it was anything but friendly: “I’ve stated that I’m against that project, in part because the film and comics industries have made things that have nothing to do with my work.but would be associated with it in public perception,” Moore revealed and then also revealed the other harsh words he addressed to Lindelof: “I’m ashamed of the whole thing. I don’t want anything to do with you or your series. Please don’t bother me anymore.”
This is how Alan Moore criticizes the “Watchmen” series
And Alan Moore couldn’t change his mind that “Watchmen” was received so euphorically, on the contrary, it made him feel quite misunderstood: “Maybe a lot of people think this is really ‘Watchmen’. They think it’s a dark, dystopian superhero franchise that has something to do with white supremacy [O-Ton: „white supremacy“] has to do.”
In his eyes, they would not have understood the work because of that: “’Watchmen’ is almost 40 years ago and relatively simple compared to many of my later works. What are the chances that they have understood anything since then? As a result, I am less enthusiastic about my own work. It means you mean a little less to me.”
Although he finds such hard, clear words, Alan Moore – as with previous adaptations – has not seen a minute of the “Watchmen” series himself., which would go against the principles he mentioned: “I would be the last person to want to make adjustments to my work. From what I’ve heard, that would be extremely exhausting and excruciating.” That could very well apply to movie failures like “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” However, in the case of “Watchmen,” we have to disagree with Moore, too. although of course he has the right to demonize the series if in his eyes it has nothing to do with what the work is about for him.