Once upon a time it was a property owned by Universal. Then Paramount got a hold of it. Now it seems that "Watchmen," as inspired by the works of Alan Moore, has been picked up via turnaround by the folks who run Warner Bros. Whether or not this movie will ever get made is really anyone’s guess.
According to Variety, "Warner Bros. has picked up vigilante action project "The Watchmen" out of turnaround from Paramount.
Project, produced by Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin, has been without a home since spring. Paramount had been aiming for a summer shoot in London with Brit director Paul Greengrass attached but budgetary concerns stopped "The Watchmen" from moving into production.
"The Watchmen" was previously set up at Universal, where David Hayter signed a seven-figure deal in 2001 to adapt with an eye toward directing.
Warner’s is seeking a new writer and director for "The Watchmen." Once those slots are set, Paramount will have the option to co-finance the project.
Story, set in the 1950s, launches with a seemingly ordinary man putting on superhero garb to track down criminals. He’s joined by those similarly inclined until a law is passed forcing them out of crimefighting; years later, several of his crimefighting associates are mysteriously murdered.
"The Watchmen," written as a 12-part series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, achieved cult status in the comicbook world for its adult sensibility and post-modern view of superheroes."
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Films inspired by the works of Alan Moore include "From Hell" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
