Comic junkies and film fans traveled near and far to get their geek on at N.Y. Comic Con, where Warner Bros. kicked off the rush by presenting of their much-anticipated Watchmen. On stage, artist Dave Gibbons eagerly introduced the first 18 minutes of this film adaptation of his critically acclaimed graphic novel.
Before giving us an exclusive sneak peak, Gibbons worked-up the audience with: “You don’t know quite what you’re going to get, so you can think of what you’re going to see today as a gift, to whet your appetite for things to come.” Whetting our appetites — um, what an understatement?!
Are you ready to WATCH?
Enthralling. Alarming. We certainly weren’t prepared for the magnitude that the Watchmen footage would jolt us!
Billy Crudup ignites as Jon Osterman
And before you hit the theaters this weekend to see what we’re talking about, we’ll take you along our sneak peek so you get a taste of what’s to come…
Jackie Earle Haley descends as Rorschach
The Skinny: When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) 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 disturbing mass-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?
Crimefighters pose too: Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl, Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach
The Setting: 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 set at five minutes to midnight.
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A frame from the graphic novel ‘Watchmen’ of Rorschach as drawn by co-creator Dave Gibbons
Initially attached to The Wrestler‘s director Darren Aronofsky prior to Bourne Supremacy‘s Paul Greengrass — Watchmen directed by touted 300 helmer Zack Snyder — is based on the popular 1980s DC Comics graphic novel written by Alan Moore (V for Vendetta) and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, both from the U.K.
Silk Spectre II and Night Owl II share an explosive kiss
Having gotten entangled in some copyright infringement issues in 2008 — in a studio vs. studio property battle — the film is believed to have a budget nearing about $120 million. While that could make any studio nervous it boasts a curious cast of familiar faces and and newcomers that should shake up the action…
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Real men cry too … ask Rorschach
The talented Jackie Earle Haley plays Walter Kovacs/Rorschach — the trench coat and fedora wearing vigilante with a shifting, black and white mask that mirrors his emotions. Although outlawed, he’s the only active superhero, operating illegally.
Nite Owl keeps watch
Easy on the eyes, Patrick Wilson portrays Daniel Dreiberg/Nite Owl II — an inventor and retired superhero … who’s become out-of-shape over the years.
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Silk Spectre II always heats-up the action
Hottie Malin Akerman embodies Laurie Juspeczyk/Silk Spectre II, the lone female amidst her crime-fighting, male superhero cohorts. Her genes give her the extra edge to combat crime, as her mother is one very special lady…
Carla Gugino as the original Silk Spectre
Indeed, Laurie Juspeczyk’s mother is the original femme fatale Silk Spectre/Sally Jupiter — played by Carla Gugino — a retired heroine. We see where the daughter inherited her fierceness from. Nice color scheme, ladies!
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Billy Crudup stares down the house as Dr. Manhattan
Dr. Jon Osgterman/Doctor Manhattan is brought to life by the gifted Billy Crudup. The only superhero in the gang with genuine powers, he ripped into particles during a ’50s science experiment. He rebuilds himself one cell at a time using his mind — turning into a glowing, blue man with special powers.
Matthew Goode intimidates as Oxymandias
Charismatic, yet often underrated, Brit actor Matthew Goode takes on the role of Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, the “smartest superhero” of the group, who made a fortune after retiring by making his superhero identity public.
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The Comedian takes no prisoners
The motivation for Rorschach’s return, Edward Blake/The Comedian — portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan — is the most active vigilante of all. Working for the U.S. government, he’s programmed to fight crime with violence.
The ‘Watchmen’ family photo
Together these motley-vested comeback kids comprise The Watchmen.
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The Comedian’s alternate America
The film’s sneak peek commenced with an extreme tight shot of a yellow smiley-face button, slowly zooming out to Edward Blake, the Comedian, sitting in his apartment. Shot in black and white for an ominous effect, he watches a grim newscast on TV about the nuclear arms race with Russia — and the threat of an imminent cold war.
Silk Spectre senses someone’s cozying up to her
The camera zooms in on different spots in the Comedian’s apartment, until it locates: a picture of the original Silk Spectre. Suddenly, an unexpected interruption disturbs the Comedian’s groove, as a black masked assailant kicks through the door. Next, an explosive fight ensues. Filmmaker Zack Snyder‘s fantastically choreographed fight sequence reminds us: yes, he did directed 300.
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Who’s the Comedian pointing at, this time?
Spoiler Alert [skip to next page if you must]!!: As the two men go at it, full-on, with their fists, knives and dizzying combat, the battle is magnified with slow, breath-taking shots, infused with alarming fast paced scenes. The show-stopping sequence ultimately concludes with the bloody demise of the Comedian, who’s thrown out of a window.
Rorschach investigates a clue
The final impact is made when the yellow smiley face button lands next to the dead body, and slow streaming blood engulfs the scene.
Stepping out of time
Next, the film continues its striking cinematic journey with a flashback montage, as the opening credits roll, taking us back through time.
Ozymandians and The Comedian get their news on
The footage unfolds, revealing a complex portrait of the original, crime-fighting vigilante posse — highlighting the inception and journey taken by these unconventional superheroes from originally being coined as the “Minutemen” to evolving into their current identity as the [“Crimebusters”] “Watchmen.”
Dr. Manhattan knows no worldly limits
We witness their lives intertwined with historical events in their alternate universe: Silk Spectre’s /Sally Jupiter’s retirement party; Dr. Manhattan/Dr. Jon Osterman meeting President Kennedy; then JFK’s assassination; the first man on the moon; and many more landmark moments. The footage scene culminates with a curious scene-stealing lesbian kiss exchanged between the superhero Silhouette and a nurse in a victory march in Times Square.
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The ‘Watchmen’ back in the day
Befittingly, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin'” blares in the background as this evolution of Crimebusters/Watchmen is revealed. It ends on a final portrait of the Minutemen. Finally, upon the bold title, WATCHMEN, flashing on the screen, the worked-up audience bursts into frenzied cheering.
Rorschach will get to the bottom of things
The noir, superhero thriller shifts right back to the Comedian’s murder scene and the investigation. After the police leave, a costumed Rorschach makes his first appearance at the Comedian’s apartment, as the gravel-voiced vigilante. He picks up the button as he rummages through the apartment — until he finds the Comedian’s secret room, piled with old photos and weapons. The footage comes to an end.
Left: A frame from the graphic novel ‘Watchmen’ of Rorschach as drawn by co-creator Dave Gibbons. Right: Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Watchmen’
Frame by frame, meticulous director Zack Snyder‘s storytelling unravels strikingly similar to the very essence of the graphic novel. Next…
Look out: Rorschach unmasked as Walter Kovacs
A Never-Seen-Before Bonus Scene: An unmasked Rorschach/Walter Kovacs is seen as an inmate in prison. While waiting on line in the cafeteria, a gigantic inmate starts bullying Walter from behind — preparing to stab him with a knife. As the prisoner attacks, Rorschach incapacitates his enemy by beating him with his tray and pouring boiling oil on his face.
Rorschach gets in people’s faces
The clip wraps his powerful roar proclaiming: “I’m not locked in here with you — you’re locked in here with me!” … Needless to say, the sneak peak of the very faithful film adaptation concluded with wild applause by a roomful of pumped-up fans, begging for more!
Dave Gibbons the co-creator of the graphic novel ‘Watchmen’
With fans (and fanboys) gone wild, graphic artist Dave Gibbons returned to the stage for a brief, energetic Q&A. He addressed the possibility of making a sequel or prequel film, “If they [the studio execs] want to make a sequel or a prequel, there’s nothing I can do to stop them from doing it.”
A frame from the graphic novel ‘Watchmen’ of Dan Dreiberg as drawn by co-creator Dave Gibbons
Gibbons confidently shrugged. “I think if you add anything [after] Watchmen, you’re not enriching it — you’re diluting it.”
Director Zack Snyder advises Robert Wisden as President Nixon on the set of ‘Watchmen’
The confident British artist was then prodded about rumors about the sequel. “My impression is, you won’t get Zack Snyder directing [it], and my counsel would be to leave it alone,” Gibbons declared to applause. He later added, “I went to introduce myself [to Snyder at the UK premiere of 300] and he just stopped and talked to me for about thirty minutes. I had a gut feeling, then, that he just got it [Watchmen]. And I haven’t seen or heard anything since then that’s changed that gut feeling.”
Left: A frame from the graphic novel ‘Watchmen’ of Dan Dreiberg as drawn by co-creator Dave Gibbons. Right: Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg in ‘Watchmen’
As to whether the cherished, meticulous detail of Gibbons‘ panel work will translate faithfully onto the big screen, the artist reassured, “There’s nothing that’s just filler detail. Everything means something. In that respect, it’s exactly the same as the graphic novel.”
Silk Spectre plays no games
In conclusion, Gibbons explained that the reason the “Crimebusters” (creator Alan Moore’s original name for the second/returning group of superheroes) is called “Watchmen” in the film, is for clarification purposes. The collaborating teams wanted to avoid any kind of confusion. There’s definitely no confusion about the great anticipation for the film’s release.
Watch out for the ‘Watchmen’ !
Watchmen arrives in theaters March 6th, 2009. Don’t miss it!!
CLICK HERE: for a look at MORE Watchmen Movie Stills!
Additional reporting by Lisa Collins
