“For The First Time In My Career, I’m Genuinely Excited”: Watchmen Author Alan Moore’s Fantasy Novel Getting TV Adaptation

A fantasy novel by Alan Moore is getting a television adaptation. An influential author, known for his seminal comic book work, Moore is behind titles such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Batman: The Killing Joke, From Hell, and Swamp Thing. However, he has a reputation for holding oppositional views of adaptations, including his own, and has argued that he aims to illuminate what comic books are capable of as a storytelling medium rather than translating it into a different format. But he is significantly more positive about an adaptation that’s just been announced.

Deadline confirms that The Great When, a new fantasy novel by Moore, is getting a TV adaptation. The production company Playground landed the rights to The Great When, a fantasy graphic novel that was published by Bloomsbury on October 1. It’s the first in Moore’s planned five-volume Long London series of epic fantasy novels, which Playground plans to adapt into a series that spans several seasons. Moore reacted to the news in the statement below:

For the first time in my career, I’m genuinely excited and enthusiastic about a work of mine…one that I own, and believe could work marvelously in a different medium…being adapted for the screen.

In Playground, I feel that I’ve connected with people who respect both me and the narrative and are receptive to such input as I can offer. And, given Playground’s track record, I have little doubt that this will be anything short of spectacular. It’s taken me some time, but I think at last I’m ready for my closeup.

David Stern, the Joint Joint Managing Director of Playground, who played a big role in securing the rights, also shared a statement:

Alan Moore’s
The Great When
is an extraordinary work of imagination, combining elements of history, fantasy, and mystery to create a world that is both epic and intimate, strange yet deeply human. This project represents the type of storytelling we at Playground are passionate about, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Alan, one of the most influential writers of our time, to bring this remarkable work to television.

What An Adaptation Of Great When Would Mean

The Story Follows A Young Clerk

The Great When unfolds in post-WWII London centering on a character named Dennis Knuckleyard. A young clerk, employed by a second-hand bookshop, Dennis comes across a novel that simply does not exist. It is a fictitious book from The Great When, which is described as a hellish and imaginary realm that is essentially the supernatural counterpart to Dennis’ city. The young clerk soon faces the choice of returning the book or getting killed, putting him through various events that could endanger both cities forever.

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The adaptation represents a pivot for Playground, which is notable for its focus on British period dramas. The production company is behind Wolf Hall, which is back for season 2. Playground is also behind King Lear. These projects have attracted big actors, from Mark Rylance to Anthony Hopkins. It is still early in the journey of The Great When, with more books to be written and talent that will be attached to the project. But if there’s the same level of consideration in the casting, that will be another point in the adaptation’s favor.

Colin Callender‘s production outfit will now shift its focus to a potential franchise, with the rare advantage of having Moore’s blessing to move forward. It’s a significant distinction, considering the author’s long history of his works getting adapted. Not all of that history has been as positive as Moore’s recent remarks.

Alan Moore’s History With Adaptions, Explained

There Have Been Past Controversies

The first Alan Moore adaptation was 2001’s From Hell, which starred Johnny Depp. Directed by the sibling duo of Albert and Allen Hughes, the film featured several changes. The main character was reshaped from an older detective to a younger protagonist, played by Depp. 2003’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen came next, again featuring significant alterations and changes to the ending. Moore would later say that it was “naive” of him to assume that no one would confuse the movies with the original comics.

Moore’s discomfort with the Extraordinary Gentlemen adaptation would continue when the movie was the subject of a lawsuit, alleging that the adaptation plagiarized an unproduced script. He would go on to say that he sold the rights for money and that he hadn’t seen The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

The author’s biggest dispute, however, has been with Warner Bros. The studio was caught in a conflict with Moore, who disputed that he wanted to be involved in the Wachowskis’ adaptation of V for Vendetta. The author would go on to share his criticisms in blunt terms, saying in an interview with MTV.com that the source material was “specifically about things like fascism and anarchy. Those words, ‘fascism’ and ‘anarchy,’ occur nowhere in the film.”

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Following these issues and others, Moore requested that his name be removed from adaptations, including Watchmen and V for Vendetta, adding that he would not allow his name to be used in any future adaptations of works he does not own and that he wouldn’t accept money from such works. It makes his approval of The Great When all the more significant.

Our Take On The Great When

It’s A Notable Change In Tone

Alan Moore doesn’t mince words about adaptations of his work and notable criticism of the current state of the comic book industry and superhero movies. It is understandable, considering his conflict with DC Comics and the long disagreements between the two sides. Perhaps the most significant part of The Great When adaptation, coming from an author who has not always given his stamp of approval, is that he’s embraced it.

Source: Deadline, MTV.com