Masks save lives in a pair of new and mysterious promos for HBO’s Watchmen

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Hrm, it would appear as if the police featured in HBO's upcoming WATCHMEN series are experiencing a bit of an identity crisis, as two new and mysterious promos for the highly-anticipated re-imagining of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons cult classic story present the show's law enforcement officials as near-faceless "peacekeepers." In the first promo video, we find the "Masks" lining both sides of a long an ominous corridor, presumably awaiting orders. In the next promo, we see a "Mask" cautiously walking away from a nearby squad car, flashlight in hand. Something tells me that this anonymous figure is looking to issue more than a speeding ticket, for whomever they've pulled over.

You can check both promos out for yourself below:

While the promos don't offer us much in the way of details pertaining to Damon Lindelof's WATCHMEN world, they do pose a very important question: Why the masks? Are local law enforcement officials hoping to keep their identities a secret from the city's superheroes? Are the masks meant to frighten criminals, or perhaps dissuade heroes from reaching out to officers for assistance? What exactly are the Masks playing at here?

Set to star in Lindelof's WATCHMEN are Jeremy Irons (LOLITA, DEAD RINGERS), Regina King (RAY, ENEMY OF THE STATE), Don Johnson (DJANGO UNCHAINED, MIAMI VICE), Tim Blake Nelson (O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, MINORITY REPORT), Louis Gossett Jr. (ENEMY MINE, ROOTS), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (AQUAMAN, THE GET DOWN), Tom Mison (SLEEPY HOLLOW, ONE DAY), Adelaide Clemens (THE GREAT GATSBY, SILENT HILL: REVELATION), Andrew Howard (LIMITLESS, TAKEN 3), Frances Fisher (TITANIC, UNFORGIVEN), Jacob Ming-Trent (SUPERFLY, FEED THE BEAST), Sara Vickers (ENDEAVOUR, LOVESICK), Dylan Schombing (SHARP OBJECTS, THE SLAP), Lily Rose Smith (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), and Adelynn Spoon (TELL ME YOUR SECRETS).

When the new series arrives, we know that Lindelof's version of WATCHMEN will be an extension of the original story, and will feature a raft of new characters. It's also been said that the new tale will take place in modern times, with director Zack Snyder's film serving as "Old Testament" for the events to come. In other words, fans will no longer find themselves in the 1980s, but rather at the mercy of Trump's America and everything that it represents.

The show is in the process of filming right now, with an expected debut of 2019 for the re-imagined project. One thing's for certain, fans of the WATCHMEN property are bound to hold a microscope over this once, no doubt analyzing every word and gesture from the program's new cast of characters. Will the new series be a worthy addition to the Watchmen lore, or will the poison of unfamiliarity lead to the downfall of a beloved comic book property? We'll just have to wait and see. For now, allow me to reiterate, Hrm.