Watchmen - Who Watches the Watchmen?

[FoolKiller]

So, for my birthday I got a copy of Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore. He is the same guy that wrote V for Vendetta.

It is the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award and get on Time magazine's Top 100 Stories of all Time.

If you like graphic novels, or just good storytelling, you owe it to yourself to find a copy of this.

And next year it will be a movie. http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

Synopsis: A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen?

Cast: Malin Akerman (upcoming The Heartbreak Kid) as Laurie Juspeczyk aka Silk Spectre

Billy Crudup (The Good Shepherd) as Jon Osterman, aka Dr. Manhattan (this is the only guy with actual super powers)
No movie picture yet.

Matthew Goode (Match Point) as Adrian Veidt, aka Ozymandias

Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) as Walter Kovacs, aka Rorschach

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (TV’s Grey’s Anatomy) as Edward Blake, aka the Comedian

Patrick Wilson (Little Children) as Dan Dreiberg, aka Nite Owl

Also, the script is written by none other than David Hayter. Some of you may know him as the voice of Solid Snake, and others may know him as the script writer for X-Men and X-Men 2 (You know, the good ones).

 

[Duke]

I've got two sets of the original comic books from ~1985 in mylar bags with acid-free backing boards. Only one set has ever been read. Might be time to break it out of the closet and read it again. I've even got a smiley face button with a spot of blood on it.

Alan Moore is one of my favorite writers. I couldn't bear to see V for Vendetta in movie form - too afraid it would get fubared. And we all know how I feel about Natalie Portman...

 

[YSSMAN]

Its sad that I've never gotten around to buying the book, I should just do it so I can pick the movie apart...

...That being said, I'm very excited to see what comes of it. I have faith that it can be on a level with 300 and Sin City if they try hard enough, and truthfully, it will be a disappointment if it cannot. I'm aware of the story (Dictator Nixon makes me giggle), but there is always a good message to be found. I suppose I can spare $20 for the book this week...

 

[niky]

So, for my birthday I got a copy of The Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore. He is the same guy that wrote V for Vendetta.

It is the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award and get on Time magazine's Top 100 Stories of all Time.

If you like graphic novels, or just good storytelling, you owe it to yourself to find a copy of this.

And next year it will be a movie. http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

Synopsis: A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen?

Cast: Malin Akerman (upcoming The Heartbreak Kid) as Laurie Juspeczyk aka Silk Spectre

Billy Crudup (The Good Shepherd) as Jon Osterman, aka Dr. Manhattan (this is the only guy with actual super powers)
No movie picture yet.

Matthew Goode (Match Point) as Adrian Veidt, aka Ozymandias

Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) as Walter Kovacs, aka Rorschach

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (TV’s Grey’s Anatomy) as Edward Blake, aka the Comedian

Patrick Wilson (Little Children) as Dan Dreiberg, aka Nite Owl

Also, the script is written by none other than David Hayter. Some of you may know him as the voice of Solid Snake, and others may know him as the script writer for X-Men and X-Men 2 (You know, the good ones).

That news is just seven levels of awesome... and David Hayter can write? So who the hell did they get for X-Men III? What happened?

 

[FoolKiller]

Might be time to break it out of the closet and read it again.

Honestly, I would suggest paying the $15-$20 on the TPB graphic novel bound version and keep both sets sealed up from here on out. They have value now, and this is likely to increase that.

I've even got a smiley face button with a spot of blood on it.

As in an original from the 80's? I would definitely double bag that in a Ziploc and lock it up too. You know oodles of recreation will be coming out. It is tempting to hit the obvious midnight showing or sneak preview showing in expectation that they will be giving away some of those.

Alan Moore is one of my favorite writers. I couldn't bear to see V for Vendetta in movie form - too afraid it would get fubared. And we all know how I feel about Natalie Portman...

V for Vendetta worked decently as a movie. The point is still there, if certain aspects aren't. My biggest fear for The Watchmen is that it will be given an overall positive spin as well, ruining the ending. And if you ruin the end, you ruin everything about Rorschach up to that point.

So far though, the movie site is offering up video production blogs, and it appears to be staying true, to the point that the wardrobe department is making prison jumpsuits in a purple-gray color, and a shot of the news vendor has his outfit a dead on match.

Plus, I have faith in Hayter. He wrote the first two X-Men in a way that didn't betray fans, but allowed newcomers to understand the characters and the point.

And the more research I have done I am finding that Moore's dislike for his work in movies is based more around the fact that he refuses to be credited because he feels that DC ripped him off.

It is understandable considering that DC has full rights to his works and is now milking them for every penny possible. His only saving grace is that fans know who is truly responsible for the stories. If the movie goes bad those same fans know it is not Moore's fault.

...That being said, I'm very excited to see what comes of it. I have faith that it can be on a level with 300 and Sin City if they try hard enough, and truthfully, it will be a disappointment if it cannot.

The source material is ten times better than both of those. I think audience pleasure will be determined by how this is marketed. If they make this look like a typical super hero movie many will be upset to discover that only one of them actually has powers.

I'm aware of the story (Dictator Nixon makes me giggle), but there is always a good message to be found.

The Dictator Nixon thing is kind of a misnomer. He just got extra terms. And really, it can be easily overlooked if you aren't paying attention. It is really just a backdrop to the alternate universe to tell the readers that this is not taking place in the world that we know, no matter how similar certain current events appear.

I suppose I can spare $20 for the book this week...

You won't regret it. I followed The Watchmen up with Wolverine: Origin and in comparison I was so underwhelmed that I had to question my Wolverine loyalty. So, when you do read this, don't read another comic for a while or you will suddenly question the entire storytelling ability of the comic industry.

That news is just seven levels of awesome... and David Hayter can write?

Well, he had been doing comic hero voice acting in cartoons and games for a few years and was looking for a break as a writer. From interviews I gather that his part in MGS allowed him enough industry credit to get some attention for X-Men. He also wrote The Scorpion King and a TV movie, Lost in Oz.

So who the hell did they get for X-Men III? What happened?

Well, the first two were written with the director, Bryan Singer, involved in the story. Hayter did the screenplays, and was aided on X2 by Zak Penn. Zak Penn is hit and miss. He has also done PCU (which I love), Last Action Hero, Inspector Gadget, and Elektra. But he also did Behind Enemy Lines and the new Incredible Hulk.

When Singer left the franchise and Brett Ratner (best known for the Rush Hour movies) Hayter did not stay on. Zak Penn stayed and was joined by Simon Kinberg, who also did XXX: State of the Union, Mr and Mrs Smith, and Jumper. Ratner took it in a wrong direction and we were left with two writers who miss more than they hit, because they care more about witty one-liners and action sequences than they do story and characters.



Of all the screenplay writers in comic book movies, Hayter is one I would definitely hope for in doing this project. He stays true to the characters and story.

 

[YSSMAN]

You won't regret it. I followed The Watchmen up with Wolverine: Origin and in comparison I was so underwhelmed that I had to question my Wolverine loyalty. So, when you do read this, don't read another comic for a while or you will suddenly question the entire storytelling ability of the comic industry.

Its what I had assumed. I've got a big stack of comics that I need to find the trades of based on recommendations of friends of mine, but I do want to start with The Watchmen first, I think. Especially before the movie hits the screen...

 

[FoolKiller]

So, there is a trailer up. Apparently it launched with Dark Knight.

And this is far from a logo-teaser. Oh no, this will show us Dr. Manhattan. And he doesn't look like crap.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/watchmen/

 

[YSSMAN]

When the trailer first started, to be honest, I was really confused with what it was. But the moment the frames from the movie started rolling, my God, it was amazing. When you're actually recognizing pieces of the graphic novel on film like that, you know they've managed to pull something good off. Certainly, they've had to take a few liberties with it, but overall they've done a great job of capturing the feel of the book.

BTW: I did finish it a few weeks ago... Absolutely brilliant.

I'm kinda disappointed they showed more of Dr. Manhattan than Rorschach, but then again, well get to see plenty of him later.

 

[FoolKiller]

When the trailer first started, to be honest, I was really confused with what it was. But the moment the frames from the movie started rolling, my God, it was amazing. When you're actually recognizing pieces of the graphic novel on film like that, you know they've managed to pull something good off. Certainly, they've had to take a few liberties with it, but overall they've done a great job of capturing the feel of the book.

BTW: I did finish it a few weeks ago... Absolutely brilliant.

I'm kinda disappointed they showed more of Dr. Manhattan than Rorschach, but then again, well get to see plenty of him later.

I love that they showed Rorschach's face moving. From the still shots it just looked like a dirty cloth.

While I absolutely love Rorschach I think not showing him too much is awesome, because that is his character, a mystery.

Of course, this trailer makes it seem like Dr. Manhattan will be the villain. Showing him killing the guy in Vietnam is a bit much. Which is okay, because the whole story is supposed to keep you confused until the last chapter, but I think it will throw people off when they watch the movie and see this guy who is just a bit out of touch, but relatively innocent that they expected to be this overly powerful villain.

 

[YSSMAN]

Yeah, I could see that being a problem with people who aren't familiar with the franchise. I was having a conversation with one of my subordinates today about it and he was talking about how confused he was with the trailer. I told him that I had the book with me a few days ago, and he finally got it.

I'm a bit worried that people will say "skip it" because it doesn't have the well-know capes and cowls in there, but then again, I can't say I'll be overly happy if it is bought and sold by MTV as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

...Particularly when most of those kids aren't even old enough to understand half the stuff that's going on in the book...

Which also gets me thinking on several levels:

- Who's playing Nixon and Ford?
With both of them dead, played by dozens of other actors, who will fit the bill?

- How will they handle the flashbacks?
Granted, they can be tricky. But, I have confidence in the director. These are often more important than whats going on altogether...

- How will they handle the "dividers" between the chapters/acts?
These elements fill out a major layer of the story as well... It won't be the same without them.

 

[Giancarlo]

I was utterly confused when i saw this trailer, as i have never heard of this before. Looks interesting enough, but perhaps too artsy.

 

[McLaren]

I was utterly confused when i saw this trailer, as i have never heard of this before. Looks interesting enough, but perhaps too artsy.

+1. Nobody in my theater seemed to know what the hell was going, myself included. I have a feeling they're not going to being introducing a blockbuster hit like DC Comics has with Batman. A lot of people don't seem to know about this film, and with the trailer making absolutely zero sense to anyone who isn't affiliated with the novel, I'll be waiting to see how it does at the box office next year.

 

[Giancarlo]

The score was pretty cool though. Anyone know what it was? Kinda sorta sounded like Billy Corgan singing.

 

[YSSMAN]

I believe that was a song from the most-recent Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. I think it was the song "Bleeding the Orchid," but I may be wrong.

 

[Giancarlo]

I believe that was a song from the most-recent Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. I think it was the song "Bleeding the Orchid," but I may be wrong.

Thanks for the the reply, but i checked on Amazon and that song sounds different. I figure it might be a remix, because it sounds too good to be Smashing Pumpkins.

 

[Anderton Prime]

A link to the official trailer page:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/watchmen/

The actual trailer (it plays before The Dark Knight):



And finally, a shot of Dr. Manhattan from the upcoming movie:

 

[FoolKiller]

Yeah, I could see that being a problem with people who aren't familiar with the franchise. I was having a conversation with one of my subordinates today about it and he was talking about how confused he was with the trailer. I told him that I had the book with me a few days ago, and he finally got it.

My brother-in-law asked me if Rorshach was the villain....

All I could say was that he had to decide that for himself.

I'm a bit worried that people will say "skip it" because it doesn't have the well-know capes and cowls in there, but then again, I can't say I'll be overly happy if it is bought and sold by MTV as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I have already heard a lot about the Batman ripoff and people thinking that The Comedian was played by Robert Downey Junior (usually referred to by most as Iron Man).

It is sad because Nite Owl is actually supposed to be a take on Blue Beetle. But then most don't know who Blue Beetle is either.

...Particularly when most of those kids aren't even old enough to understand half the stuff that's going on in the book...

Charlie Wilson's War should be required watching/reading for admittance.

Which also gets me thinking on several levels:

- Who's playing Nixon and Ford?
With both of them dead, played by dozens of other actors, who will fit the bill?

Carrie Genzel ... Jackie Kennedy

Brett Stimely ... John F. Kennedy

I have seen supposed set shots of Kennedy and he looks pretty good.

No word on Nixon yet.

- How will they handle the flashbacks?
Granted, they can be tricky. But, I have confidence in the director. These are often more important than whats going on altogether...

One of Hayter's discarded scripts had most taking place in the funeral scene.

It shouldn't be too bad.

- How will they handle the "dividers" between the chapters/acts?
These elements fill out a major layer of the story as well... It won't be the same without them.

Black Freighter? Zack Snyder says that they had to push WB for 3 hours and that he expects an extended Blu-Ray with a total length of about 4.5 hours.

The score was pretty cool though. Anyone know what it was? Kinda sorta sounded like Billy Corgan singing.

Thanks for the the reply, but i checked on Amazon and that song sounds different. I figure it might be a remix, because it sounds too good to be Smashing Pumpkins.

Smashing Pumpkins - Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning

It was a remix done for....Batman and Robin.

 

[YSSMAN]

Snap!

I knew the song was around my house somewhere... Crazy that its from Batman!

 

[FoolKiller]

Snap!

I knew the song was around my house somewhere... Crazy that its from Batman!

I guess Warner Bros still has it on license and wants to put it with something that will actually sell.

It goes extremely well with the trailer, and the story.

 

[YSSMAN]

Too true!

Which also reminds me, you can get an animated version of the first chapter of The Watchmen for free on iTunes. I don't know if they're going to charge for the others, but I started watching mine, and... Well, I guess its not for everybody. Not having the book in front of you, having it read to you, makes it less enjoyable. You don't get to appreciate the little things that are going on in the background... And furthermore, how the hell are they going to do the Pirate thing later?

EDIT:

Entertainment Weekly has a good article on the movie (found here --> ***contains spoilers***)... I've got the hard copy at home, has some good photos in it.

 

[FoolKiller]

Too true!

Which also reminds me, you can get an animated version of the first chapter of The Watchmen for free on iTunes. I don't know if they're going to charge for the others, but I started watching mine, and... Well, I guess its not for everybody. Not having the book in front of you, having it read to you, makes it less enjoyable. You don't get to appreciate the little things that are going on in the background...

I intend to check it out, but I only get on iTunes about once a week to update my podiobooks.

And furthermore, how the hell are they going to do the Pirate thing later?

I'm just guessing, but, in the comic it always takes place during the new vendor scenes. For post-production purposes you would have to film the entire news vendor scene with dialogue, otherwise you ruin the flow of the vendor's rants. During that time the kid is reading the comic. In the theatrical version I imagine you just see the vendor ranting while the kid is reading the comic. It acts as an audience guide, because the vendor replaces the usual ploy of showing news footage, and lets us know what the political climate is and what the surrounding events are. To the non-comic reading audience the kid is just there to add a bit of levity/realism to the scene. We will know the truth. It appears to make even more sense when you recognize that the "end of the world" guy buying a paper every day is important.

Then for the extended (I call it Black Freighter edition) disc you just re-cut those scenes to include the Black Freighter story with the vendor as a background voice over. Because what he says is reflected by the symbolism in the Black Freighter story.

I hope they include both versions on a Blu-Ray. [tangent] It drives me nuts have the extended Lord of the Rings DVDs because no one wants to watch those overly long versions with me. But I also refuse to buy the whole trilogy again. Although, if they do the theatrical versions on BD then I may get them. [/tangent]



Also, all my rumors, news, interviews, and even old script versions are coming from this one site:
http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com

 

[FoolKiller]

So, it looks like XBLA, PSN, and PC will be getting a two-part episodic game that will act as a prequel to the film/comic story featuring the time period, pre-Keene Act in which Nite Owl and Rorschach were teamed up and at the top of their game.
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3168969

All I can really think to say about this for now is, hurm.

I can't give any more opinions, aside from dread, until I actually see it.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm a bit disappointed that they're attempting to fill-out the back story, I really do feel like its a bit unnecessary. I'll likely play it because I'm now an obsessed fan of the series (I'm already working on a Rorschach costume for Halloween), but I guess I'll have to see more before I'm completely convinced.

Oh, and there is a video of the Owlship from Comic Con.

===

Ever get the feeling that we're the only people on here who really care about this movie?

(lol)

 

[FoolKiller]

I'm a bit disappointed that they're attempting to fill-out the back story, I really do feel like its a bit unnecessary.

I almost bet that it won't be much story-wise but just a fun game to let people play as two of the more fun characters (Comedian would be nice too) when they were active.

What story they touch on I can imagine not doing much more than possibly showing them chase Moloch (episode 1) and maybe ending with the Keene Act and the image of Rorschach's response as the final scene (episode 2).

But I know that the main goal is to get some more mainstream people focused on it before the movie comes out. The Dark Knight trailer premiere and the trailer's action style shows that they are trying to get the mainstream interested, while giving the proper visual cues to make the comic fans excited. So, I am guessing that this game will just be more for getting the mainstream in, and possibly explaining how the world got to where it is at the start of the story.

(I'm already working on a Rorschach costume for Halloween),

With the moving mask? If so, I must see.

Oh, and there is a video of the Owlship from Comic Con.

Sweet.

Ever get the feeling that we're the only people on here who really care about this movie?

(lol)

Of the people that have read the comic, we are the only ones that did it recently for the first time.

See, I know when I saw a good movie because I walk out and say, "wow," and feel like I just experienced something special. This story is the first comic that ever had me doing that.

 

[Anderton Prime]

If you dress up as Rorschach this Halloween, few people will probably know who you're supposed to be. And if you wait until next year, you'll be one of thousands I'm sure. He is after all the most popular character...

 

[Wardy 944]

Just seen the trailer before Batman wow it looks fantastic on the big screen

 

[Duke]

Yeah, so far I'm impressed. Just saw the pre-Dark Knight trailer yesterday. To do the original comic any justice, though, it's going to need to be rated PG-13 at the very least.

 

[Jedi2016]

Yeah, so far I'm impressed. Just saw the pre-Dark Knight trailer yesterday. To do the original comic any justice, though, it's going to need to be rated PG-13 at the very least.

With Jon's *ahem* swinging in the breeze for half the film? Easy R.

After seeing the trailer, I went and picked up the book. And now I'm eagerly awaiting the film, which is sadly still a long way off.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think Snyder is already promising an R-rating. I don't know if I'd want to see it any other way...

 

[FoolKiller]

Yeah, he was already cleared for an R-rating. It was a fight settled in pre-production. Compare it 300 and it is is easy to get a non-mainstream comic movie to be approved for an R.

I think the biggest concern currently is the run length. Last I heard Snyder was holding fast to a 3 hour run time, but Warner Brothers wasn't happy about it.

It is a legitimate issue, as a 3 hour run time essentially reduces your number of showings per screen by 1 or 2 per day.