 Watchmen is a 2009 film based on the twelve @-@ issue graphic novel series of the same name created by writer Alan Moore , artist Dave Gibbons , and colorist John Higgins , published by DC Comics between 1986 and 1987 . The graphic novel 's film rights were acquired by producer Lawrence Gordon in 1986 . Many problems halted the adaptation 's development , with four different studios and various directors and screenwriters being attached to the project through twenty years . In 2006 , Zack Snyder , who at the time was filming ' another comic book adaptation ' , was hired by Warner Bros. to helm Watchmen . Filming started in 2007 , and following deals with two of the previous companies involved in the development — Paramount Pictures was responsible for international distribution rights after budgetary issues in 2004 , resulting in a lawsuit by 20th Century Fox . Fox , which was already contacted by Gordon in 1987 , received $ 1 million of the gross — the Watchmen adaptation was finally released in March 2009 . 
