Jeremy Irons has been tapped to take on a lead role in HBO’s Damon Lindelof’s Watchmen pilot. Irons joins Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Adelaide Clemens and Andrew Howard on the previously announced cast.
For now, HBO is keeping tight-lipped on any character details, but the rumour has it that the veteran British actor could play a lord of a British manor.
Lindelof’s version of the Alan Moore series is set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws. “Watchmen embraces the nostalgia of the original trailblazing graphic novel while attempting to break ground of its own”.
Lindelof has written the script and executive produces alongside Tom Spezialy and Nicole Kassell (The Leftovers). Kassell will also direct the pilot.
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Lindelof had previously given a brief insight into what we can expect from his characters.
“Some of the characters will be unknown,” he said. “New Faces. New masks to cover them. We also intend to revisit the past century of Costumed Adventuring through a surprising yet familiar set of eyes…and it is here we will be taking our greatest risks.”
“From the flashbacks to the nonlinear storytelling to the deeply flawed heroes, these are all elements that I try to put into everything I write”
The graphic novel was created by a British creative team of writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons and colourist John Higgins. It was published by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987 and collected in a single volume edition in 1987. Watchmen originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring superhero characters.
