It's news that's bound to get fans of Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel, Watchmen, frothing at the mouth, but Bleeding Cool are saying that although for a long time DC Comics were reticent to create any sequels or spin-offs, they've now changed there mind are actively looking into bringing out Watchmen 2.
The change has come about because of executive shuffling at the top of DC, and also because following the release of last year's Watchmen film, the graphic novel became DC's biggest selling title ever. Bleeding Cool says, "I understand that both Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons have to be offered first refusal before any of these titles could be published. But if they don’t want to work on them themselves (and Alan Moore is never going to agree), [New DC head honcho Dan] DiDio has been sounding out people who might be willing to take on the task. While some creators are reticent, the argument goes if there are a number of Watchmen spinoff projects, any blame or shame can be spread on many shoulders. The sales are expected to be massive, whatever the hardcore fanboy reaction and such expected sales benefits will be shared amongst the creative teams."
This really is a major change, because even for the film and video game, DC wouldn't allow anything new to be created, because they were afraid of the reaction among fans and in the comic community. Watchmen was essentially roped off and protected in a wat few other comic properties ever have beem. However expanding the Watchmen universe is now a pet project for Dan DiDio.
Of course, the contract to make the Watchmen films also included the possibility of sequels, so it's also feasible we'll now get to see more of the masked vigilante world on-screen. Either way, expect Alan Moore to start grumbling and decrying the creative bankruptcy of messing with anything he's touched and for many fanboys to rant and rave.
It also leaves the question of where would you take the story next, as Watchmen is a very self-contained entity. Prequels and spin-offs would seem more likely than a sequel, but we'll have to wait and see.