Paramount has confirmed that REQUIEM FOR A DREAM helmer Darren Aronofsky will direct the much-anticipated film version of Alan Moore's classic graphic novel THE WATCHMEN, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The long in-development project was originally set to be X-MEN writer David Hayter's first directing job, but he will step aside to let Aronofsky direct the film from his script.
Based on the acclaimed 1986 12-issue comic book mini-series written by Moore with art by Dave Gibbons, the story is set in a world where superheroes have become government backed. The murder of a federally-backed mercenary named The Comedian spurs insane vigilante Rorschach, the last solo superhero, to investigate who has begun killing the "masks." Moore's comic LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN was previously adapted to the screen and that film's lack of success spurred Moore to vow he would never option one of his comics ever again. The deal for WATCHMEN was already in place before GENTLEMEN was released.
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