 In October 2001 , Gordon and Universal Studios signed screenwriter David Hayter to write and direct Watchmen in a " seven @-@ figure deal " . Hayter hoped to begin filming in early 2002 , but did not turn in his first draft until July 2002 . In May 2003 , Hayter said he had Alan Moore 's blessing on the film , despite Moore 's disagreement with the project since its first incarnation . In July 2003 , Watchmen producer Lloyd Levin announced the completion of Hayter 's script , which he called " a great adaptation [ ... ] that absolutely celebrates the book " . Ultimately , Hayter and the producers left Universal over creative differences , and in October 2003 , Gordon and Levin expressed interest in setting up Watchmen at Revolution Studios . The pair intended to shoot the film in Prague , but the project fell apart at Revolution Studios . 
