Darren Aronfosky is being named as the director of WATCHMEN, reports AIN'T IT COOL NEWS. The site says that Aronfosky will tackle the classic graphic novel after he finishes THE FOUNTAIN. David Hayter (X-MEN, X2: X-MEN UNITED) has written the screenplay for the film.

The story takes place in a world where it is illegal for superheroes to operate without being backed by a federal government. When The Comedian is murdered, "masked man" Rorschach, the only rogue vigilante left, goes in search of who is killing the masks.