V FOR VENDETTA TV Series Hits a Major Roadblock at HBO, But it's Not Completely Dead

It looks like HBO's plans to bring V for Vendetta back to the screen have hit a pretty significant snag. For fans who were excited to see the iconic graphic novel reimagined as a television series, the latest update isn't exactly encouraging. The good news is that it also doesn't sound like the project has been completely abandoned.

According to Jeff Sneider of The InSneider, HBO has decided to pass on the script that Pete Jackson wrote for the proposed V for Vendetta series. Jackson was previously reported to be writing the adaptation after news of the project surfaced last year, but it seems his vision didn't match what the network had in mind.

Sneider reports that, according to his sources, "Jackson delivered a period-themed take" on the property, which apparently wasn't the direction HBO wanted to go.

Thankfully, that doesn't appear to be the end of the road. An HBO insider reportedly told Sneider that the decision doesn't kill the project outright. Instead, V for Vendetta could still be "redeveloped with another writer down the line."

So while this version of the series may have stalled, the door is still open for HBO and DC Studios to revisit the property with a different creative approach.

The television adaptation is reportedly being executive produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran, who continue overseeing DC Studios' growing slate of film and television projects.

While much of the studio's attention is currently on building its new DC Universe, this update suggests they're still interested in exploring stories outside the traditional superhero formula.

Created by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, V for Vendetta remains one of DC's most influential graphic novels. The story centers on the mysterious masked revolutionary known only as V, who wages a campaign against a fascist government while inspiring a young woman named Evey Hammond to question the world around her and ultimately carry on his mission.

The story was famously adapted into the 2005 film directed by James McTeigue, with Hugo Weaving playing the unforgettable masked vigilante and Natalie Portman starring as Evey Hammond.

The film became a fan favorite, earned positive reviews, and brought in more than $134 million at the global box office. Over the years, the Guy Fawkes mask has become one of pop culture's most recognizable symbols, extending far beyond the movie itself.

Even if the TV series ends up taking longer to arrive, fans will still have a reason to celebrate. The film is returning to theaters for its 20th anniversary on November 5, 2026, giving audiences another chance to experience V for Vendetta on the big screen.

As for the television series, this update feels more like a setback than a cancellation. If HBO believes the property is still worth pursuing, finding a new writer could simply be the next step before the project moves forward again.

It may take a little longer than expected, but V for Vendetta still has a shot at making its way back to HBO.