HBO ordered a 'Watchmen' pilot from the creator of 'Lost' and 'The Leftovers'

The beloved graphic novel "Watchmen" might finally get the screen adaptation it deserves.

On Wednesday, HBO confirmed it has committed to a pilot (and to back-up scripts) for Damon Lindelof's adaptation of "Watchmen." Zack Snyder, who directed 2009's "Watchmen" feature film, is not involved.

On Tuesday, a day before HBO made an announcement, Lindelof - co-creator and showrunner of "Lost" and "The Leftovers" - posted a vague Instagram of a writer's room with the caption "Day One."

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' iconic story, originally published as a limited series in 1986 and 1987 (later put together as a graphic novel) is a dark take on the superhero genre.

"Watchmen" is set in an alternate history in the year 1985, during the Cold War. The existence of superheroes has affected the outcomes of major events like the Vietnam War and the presidency of Richard Nixon. In "Watchmen," Nixon is still the president of the United States. A group of mostly retired American superheroes investigates the murder of one of its own, and in the process discovers a huge conspiracy. 

Lindelof's made two huge hits among critics and audiences, so although it's early, things are looking good for this adaptation.