'Aquaman' Villain Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Joins HBO's 'Watchmen'

YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II - SARA VICKERS Watchmen

HBO

HBO added two more to the growing cast of Damon Lindelof’s “Watchmen” adaption, as Sara Vickers and “Aquaman” star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II joined the project.

As with its other castings, details on the two roles are being kept under wraps. Abdul-Mateen II is set star as the villain, Black Manta, in Warner Bros. upcoming DC Comics film, “Aquaman.” He also starred in last summer’s “Baywatch” and Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix series, “The Get Down.”

Vickers, meanwhile, is best known for starring in the British series, “Endeavour,” having also appeared in “The Alienist,” “The Crown” and “Lovesick.”

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HBO has quickly built out the cast for the adaptation of Alan Moore’s famed graphic novel series, adding Jeremy Irons, Tom Mison, Frances Fisher and Jacob Ming-Trent this week alone. The “Watchmen” cast also includes Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson and Louis Gossett Jr.

Not much is known about HBO’s take on the famed comic series, except that it will be separate from Zack Snyder’s 2009 “Watchmen” film. Last month, Lindelof took to instagram to share his early ideas for his take, explaining that the HBO series won’t be an adaptation or a sequel, but a “remix.”

“We have no desire to ‘adapt’ the twelve issues Mr. Moore and Mr. [Dave] Gibbons created thirty years ago,” wrote Lindelof, in a five-page letter he shared on Instagram. “Those issues are sacred ground and they will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted. They will, however, be remixed.”

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The “Lost” co-creator described the original 1986 comic as “our Old Testament” and likened his HBO series to when the New Testament came along. “It did not erase what came before it… To be clear. ‘Watchmen’ is canon,” Lindelof said.

Here is the official logline for the project: Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, “Watchmen” embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel while attempting to break new ground of its own.

Lindelof penned the script and will executive produce, along with pilot director Nicole Kassell and Tom Spezialy. The project is produced for HBO by White Rabbit in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Dr. Seuss Major Movie and TV Adaptations, Ranked From Worst to First (Photos)

Oh, the places you'll go. Dr. Seuss's legacy runs far and wide, with his children's stories being adapted into cartoons and live action films alike. Here we rank all 10 of Seuss's film features and beloved TV specials.
Al Ravenna, New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection.
10. "The Cat in the Hat" (2003)

The live action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic book is insultingly awful, trading in gleeful whimsy for madcap cynicism. Mike Myers is goofing off instead of playing a charming scamp.
Universal Pictures
9. "The Lorax" (2012)

As a fable, "The Lorax" is about as dark and complicated as Dr. Seuss gets. This light and colorful animated film featuring Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift, which is a combination of "Minions" meets "WALL-E," certainly isn't that.
Universal Pictures
8. "The Butter Battle Book" (1989)

This short is faithful to Dr. Seuss's work. It's a story about two rival races of people divided by a wall, based on their differences over how they butter their bread. But the songs are flat, and the animation isn't much better.
Turner
7. "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)

Though it's incredibly cheesy and the Whoville makeup is a joke, Jim Carrey brings his overly-exuberant charm to the story, even if he looks a bit silly.
Universal Pictures
6. "The Grinch" (2018)

Taking cues from the cutesy "Despicable Me" movies, Universal's "The Grinch" with Benedict Cumberbatch has more elaborate animated mayhem than grouchy, mean-spirited fun and wordplay. The inoffensive charm is there, but the film's heart is two sizes too small.
Universal Pictures
5. "The Lorax" (1972)

"The Lorax" begins and ends in a grim, polluted world, using music and rhyme to chart how industry can harm the environment. Its message remains poignant and hopeful that a new generation can save nature.
CBS
4. "Horton Hears a Who" (2008)

The best of the modern Dr. Seuss adaptations, Jim Carrey voices another Seuss character for this delightful, madcap romp.
20th Century Fox Animation Studios
3. "The Cat in the Hat" (1971)

"Everything back in its proper place, no more rainbows for us to chase." This version of "The Cat in the Hat" takes some liberties, but it lovingly and musically captures the spirit of Dr. Seuss's iconic character.
CBS
2. "Horton Hears a Who" (1970)

"A person's a person, no matter how small." This Chuck Jones-directed TV special is beautifully animated, faithful to the story of acceptance of everyone and a joy from start to finish.
MGM
1. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966)

The songs are indelible, the lessons are heartwarming and the animation is impeccable. "The Grinch" isn't just the best Dr. Seuss adaptation, but one of the finest animated shorts of all time.
MGM

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Universal’s “The Grinch” opens Friday, Nov. 9

Oh, the places you'll go. Dr. Seuss's legacy runs far and wide, with his children's stories being adapted into cartoons and live action films alike. Here we rank all 10 of Seuss's film features and beloved TV specials.

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