'Watchmen' TV series update: Damon Lindelof hints show's possible release date

The official photo of "Watchmen" from DC ComicsDC Comics

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' "Watchmen" will soon be adapted into a TV series, thanks to HBO. With that, screenwriter Damon Lindelof now expressed interest in handling the show, even describing it to be "dangerous."

At the Vulture Fest L.A. on Saturday, Nov. 18, the 44-year-old producer talked about why he is interested in helming the TV adaptation of the DC Comics' story. "The reason that I'm doing this is these are dangerous times, and we need dangerous shows," he said.

With the emergence of superhero films and TV series, he believes the story of "Watchmen" will be more relevant today. The co-creator of "Lost" explained that how people perceive superheroes is actually wrong.

He said that athough he loves these kinds of fictional stories and characters, superhumans who are hiding their faces behind masks should never be trusted. "If you hide your face, you are up to no good," he explained.

Talking about Moore's take on the "Watchmen," he described the iconic writer as "the greatest writer in history of comics" or maybe, "of all time." Although Moore does not want his story to be told on TV, Lindelof said they are finding a way to do it that could honor him.

The comic-book limited series was published by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987, but Lindelof believes that now is the right time for a "Watchmen" series. Despite the optimism, the production of the comic book's TV adaptation still remains up in the air. 

As "Westworld" season 2 is set to be released in 2018, "Watchmen" may not be launched in the same year. The western thriller TV series' production has already started, while the television adaptation of Moore's comic-book series has yet to begin. This means fans might have to wait a little longer for HBO's announcement on when they can finally see Rorschach, Doctor Manhattan, and Ozymandias on the small screen.