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AICN EXCLUSIVE!! WATCHMEN Has A Director!!

lets hope it doesnt suck a big turd! by Jon E Cin	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:07:25 AM
Great comic....please let it be a great movie.
Will Rorschach have a smack-infected arm amputated? by SmarkJobber	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:09:38 AM
N/T
If its done right.. by Gabba-UK	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:13:53 AM
Watchmen will rule all!
As long as he keeps his pretentious NYU-isms to himself. by Cash Bailey	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:21:44 AM
If we have Rorschach running through an alley with a 'body-cam' on I'll set fire to the goddamn screen.
Yeah Right by The Real McCoy	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:25:23 AM
I'm going to put this in the "Never Going to Happen" file. Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see Aronfosky direct Watchmen. But honestly speaking, it's unrealistic to expect this dream project to come to fruition. Aronfosky couldn't get Batman:Year One, Ronin, or The Fountain rolling. But I'm supposed to believe he can get this movie rolling? And he won't start Watchmen until he's finished The Fountain? What's that- ten years from now? Those Watchmen producers had better start looking around for another director or just give the chair to Hayter.**And just for those curious, I'm a HUGE fan of the Watchmen and huge fan of Pi and Requiem.** And anybody remember when DC Direct had plans to release The Watchmen toy line? I read Alan Moore did something which made releasing the figures impossible. Anyone care to explain that one to me?
FUCKING HELL!!!! by KID AB	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:35:27 AM
This is great news!! If only they did a version of V for Vendetta directed by Brian Singer, and starring Jude Law as V, with Keira Knightly as the girl he befriends. This is gonna fucking rule.
Steve Buscemi is Rorschach!!! by Darth Phallus	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:48:34 AM
This will own all.
Who Watchs The Watchmen by Ra Ra Rasputin	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:50:32 AM
That is the question this film has a fan base but they need to make sure the film reaches a wide audience casting will be the key to it Dr Manhattan is the most iconic character if they cast him right it wil be a winner. Who that may be is anybodys guess. Who watchs the watchmen while the watchmen watch us we will be watchning the.......... Help im confused already.
at last by Ali786	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:01:05 AM
finally I may see a decent Watchmen movie before croaking...I would've preferred an Oronofsky-frenchconnection-sty le-year one but this will do...make it dark, depressing, rain and blood and shit and heroes who don't always do the right thing...
If FOUNTAIN flops by Magnus_Steele	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:25:04 AM
It's bye-bye Aronofsky. Pi owned though.
it's going to be hard for ANY director to ensure that this film by mansep	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:30:46 AM
but having Aronofsky as director certainly gives it a good chance. but considering the history of this project ... i'll only start getting excited once they actually start shooting
Sigh - another comic book trash flick... What's next, a "Giant S by SalvatoreGravano	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:57:06 AM
Oh, and - Darren who?
is it a rite of passage? by ChickenGeorgeVII	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:54:45 AM
Is there a reason that all directors who show any promise are making comic book movies?...Is there a rule that they have to do it for their DGA card or something?...And thus, seriously! - - - George, The 7th Chicken!!!!
"I by Commando Cody	Apr 22nd, 2004 07:38:13 AM
What the hell kind of reasoning is that? If you can approve of the choice of Aronofsky based on THAT notion, then why NOT give just Hayter a chance? After all, he IS the one who nurtured the script along that (supposedly) the producers/studio are ultra high on and which (supposedly) played a major part in finally getting the film greenlit. Which means he started with the graphic novel... sat at his word processor or typewriter staring at a blank screen/sheet of paper... and transformed and condensed it all into something (supposedly) great. Which means he must have some strong sense of vision and execution. But of course, as is always the case in Hollywood, better to screw the screenwriter and go with the 'professional' director even though he's ALSO never handled any kind of major budgeted production, action or otherwise. Personally, I don't see why there should be such a lovefest over Aronofsky. I mean, PI was all right but just all right. And given its ups and downs, I'll believe THE FOUNTAIN will get made when I actually see it at my multiplex -- in fact, come to think of it, that's how I feel about WATCHMEN much as I'd like to see it filmed (though I still think it would make a better high budget HBO miniseries to handle each issue then a massively condensed 2 hour movie).
Wathcing The Watchmen by Ra Ra Rasputin	Apr 22nd, 2004 07:49:06 AM
While we will be watching the watchmen who will be watching us watching the watchmen without sounding pretentious just who is watching the watchmen bob dylan perhaps......help is their a doctor online
I'd rather this film just not be made. by rev_skarekroe	Apr 22nd, 2004 08:33:18 AM
Why does EVERYTHING have to be adapted to film? sk
Congrats Darren! Now, please don't do to this script what you d by CKnightShift	Apr 22nd, 2004 08:40:08 AM
...'cuz if you turn Doctor Manhattan into a 100-foot tall black man who yells "Slammen'!" a lot, yer gonna honk off a lot of people man.
ASS TO ASS. ASS TO ASS. ASS TO ASS. by Trevor Goodchild	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:44:29 AM
I can see Dr Manhattan being a CG creation. Rorscach-Barry Pepper/Ed Norton Comedian-Ray Liotta/MichealMadsen Nite Owl-Kyle Maclachlan
"We" watch the watchmen... by CellarDoor	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:46:37 AM
Through politics, outrageous conspiracies, journalism etc etc Our moral guardians require our protection and we, in turn, need to be protected from them. It's a mutual benefit deal, you scratch my back sort of thing. Which is a pretty simple definition of what morality is. Morality, in turn, is what Watchmen is all about. The film adaption will, however, be full of Pop-Bang-Whizz moments building to a plo-twist that is incidental while missing out on the devastation of NYC and the intimacies of the better characters (Rorschach, Manhattan). Make it, go ahead, just don't try and convince me a single movie will do the book justice.
Aronofsky by TokyoJoe	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:48:51 AM
Not a bad choice. At least he functions with a brain and won't bring the usual Hollywood trash. There is so little originality in Hollywood.
So What? by MachinaMan	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:52:44 AM
What is it about Darren Aronfosky that makes him the cat's meow? I saw his Requiem For A Dream, and while it wasn't a terrible film, nor was it something to shout from the rooftops about. I haven't yet seen Pi, if only because Requiem definitely tempered my view of his abilites. That being said, could someone please tell me why I should care that's he's doing Watchman (as opposed to being very, very afraid that's he's going to ruin quite possibly one of the best comic series ever written).
When (if) this film comes out... by Jotham	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:58:25 AM
we're all going to be pissed because there is no way Hollywood is going to plug BIG money down for such a downer of an ending. And the ending is a BIG part of what made that book so revolutionary. Hollywood will make some big hero ending where Nite-Owl and the nut job save the day.
"We" watch the watchmen... by Ra Ra Rasputin	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:59:18 AM
I must whole heartedly agree with your statement. We can only hope this does not become another Alan Moore movie turd.
The Watchmen are over. They had their chance in the early 90s. by PBJ Street Gang	Apr 22nd, 2004 10:14:28 AM
The story ain't timely no more. Watchmen stopped being cool in 1990. Gen X has all had kids and thrown away those jeans. Get a new cult comic. What next? A "Love and Rockets" movie?
Hmm...could be good. by Sod Off Baldric	Apr 22nd, 2004 10:20:54 AM
I'll wait until after I've seen The Fountain (can't wait) to pass the final judgment, but I think Aronofsky could be a good choice. I just hope the movie is good. Watchmen is my Lord of the Rings...I read it once a year, and I'm astounded by it each and every time.
V FOR VENDETTA by StarUnlit	Apr 22nd, 2004 10:34:26 AM
watchman is the penultimate super team story and I hope to god they dont fuck it up... but whoever said they should bring V to the screen is dead on. V FOR VENDETTA could be done on the cheap, no huge effects, just huge performances and it could be so... so... so... wonderful.
WhaWhaWHAT??? by TheKingInYellow	Apr 22nd, 2004 10:41:45 AM
i want gilliam. at least you can trust his vision, maybe not so much the acts of god, but gilliam will be true to the story. we'll see. don't expect me to be overly enthused because of aronofsky. don't get me wrong, i love pi and requiem and will probably love this batman thing maybe even lone wolf and cub, but i think if anyone is qualified to do watchmen it aint him; it's gilliam. in today's film making world, no comic book is safe. NONE I TELL YOU, NONE! EVER!
hmm? by TheKingInYellow	Apr 22nd, 2004 10:53:11 AM
i would much prefer to see it as a sopranos style episode series, maybe four to six 2hour episodes. also, i agree about the ending, there's no way in hell they can do that now. i'm scared, really scared. this story is too big. way too big. hmm? how about a cartoon network justice league style watchmen movie? again, several 2hour episodes. there you go!
Casting by SuperTooth	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:31:21 AM
They always try to get the big name or some whack bullshit, but this is a story that already has a fan base. I won't buy a ticket to see Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise in the Watchmen, I'll buy a ticket cuz I want to see the Watchmen on screen. They could use all unknowns and it could still do well if they make it right. Obviously they won't and I'm not saying that I don't want good actors that I know in this, I'm just trying to stress the point that, as I'm sure most people agee, it's important to get the right actor not the 'hollywood hot list.' League of Extraordinary Gentleman should be bullet point number 1 of how they can fuck this up. So just please do it right.
Dave Gibbons has already cast Rorscach! by POOPISTHESHIT	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:44:39 AM
William H Macy is Rorchach. He has the EXACT same face as the charactor, and has the ability to bring him to life. Open up the book, and the truth will hit you in the face bitch. It is so obvious that I am confident Darren will see it. Now, John Cusack as the Night Owl is a harder sell........
I think they should cast Hulk Hogan as Dr. Manhathan by Judge Doom	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:59:56 AM
"I am watching the stars, admiring their complex trajectories. Through space, through time! I am trying to give a name to the force that set them in motion, brother."
This week, Darren Aronfosky is having the best week ever! by ScreamingPenis	Apr 22nd, 2004 12:32:23 PM
...and Superman II has definitely been upgraded.
In Hollywood people just fail upward by Silver Shamrock	Apr 22nd, 2004 12:35:57 PM
The 70 million dollar Fountain movie collapsed because of Darren's inability to articulate his vision to Pitt. You've gotta be smoking crack if you're helming a movie and have a star the magnitude of Pitt walk off after months of growing a bin laden beard. I thought we'd never hear from the guy again but now he gets some pretty prime comic book real estate. DC must be really desperate to compete with Marvel on the big screen.
The Watchmen are the sexiest tomboy beanpoles on the planet!! by jimmychitwood	Apr 22nd, 2004 01:12:31 PM
always thought it would make a better HBO minseries too...i like the madsen suggestion...not macy, too old, buschemi's better...i'd like an overweight pierce brosnan for night owl...and get sharon stone...she'd jump at it..she's the right mix of good looking but almost too old...what about robert redford for ummm...what's his name...the north pole guy...and wasn't this just MADE for stanley kubric(sp?)...too bad the cats dead...what about peter jackson...or dare i say it... spielberg...
Aronofuck Yeself by Ford Fairlane	Apr 22nd, 2004 01:49:30 PM
Backflip? What has this cock done other than PI (zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz) and Requiem for a Afternoon Snooze? Are Dr. Midnite and Rorschach gonna do an anal-double-dildo scene? As interesting as that sounds...I will pass...
you mean oil by lopan	Apr 22nd, 2004 01:58:47 PM
no i mean black blood of the earth. FOSKY!
I thought by HailDaHypnoToad	Apr 22nd, 2004 02:05:03 PM
That Alan Moore wasn't going to let Hollywood touch anymore of his properties after the horrid mess they made of LXG. And to whomever said that HELLBOY wasn't a true adaptation of the Mike Mignola stories. PLEASE ASK MIKE after all he Exec Produced the movie. I thought it was great. PS, And while we're trying to save franchises with great directors.... GIVE BRIAN SINGER STAR TREK!!!! PSS. Willam H Macy IS the man to play RORSCHACH
William H. Macy!!!!!! by manwiththedogs	Apr 22nd, 2004 02:07:45 PM
!!!!yes!!!whoever came up with that is a fuggin genius.
The only way to not alter the ending and water down the whole st by oceansized	Apr 22nd, 2004 02:15:54 PM
...to make it as an animated film. It could be Hollywood's first foray into anime-style, adult themed animation (unless Tarantino makes his animated Kill Bill prequel first). And if it were done in Pixar style CG it could truly be unlike anything previously seen.
Clancy Brown as Adrian Veidt by Johnny Smith	Apr 22nd, 2004 02:34:06 PM
Watch "Carnivale" and dye his hair blonde and tell me that he isn't the PERFECT Ozymandias. Seriously, this man can do it. Wayne Pygram as Doctor Manhattan. Robert Blake as The Comedian (watch Lost Highway then bust him out of jail and watch him be the perfect Eddie Blake). And I'm taking back what I said about Macy as Rorschach. Someone go back in time, grab Elia Kazan's Marlon Brando, and grab a ton of prostethics and you'd have Rorschach. Seriously, he's got almost the perfect voice for it.
Okay, what about Jason Statham as Dr. Manhattan, Val Kilmer as O by SpyGuy	Apr 22nd, 2004 02:54:31 PM
And Aranofsky, if you're reading this, you damn well better use the Jimi Hendrix version of "All Along The Watchtower" during the scene where "two riders were approaching, and the wind began to howl"...
even Aronofsky can't make this work by Rupee88	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:06:11 PM
Requeium for a dream was a badass film and Aronofsky is very cool, but I doubt anyone can make a good film of Watchmen with anything less than a $200 million budget. The budget for this film will probably be less than half of that and it just won't work.
How many times do I have to say it? These characters are suppose by mortsleam	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:06:41 PM
William H Macy, though perfect for the role, is fifteen years too old. He would have been perfect for a 90's version, along with half of the other people you've all suggested. The rest belong in an 80's version. (Robert Redford? The man's pushing seventy!) Rorschach HAS TO BE Steve Buscemi. Nite Owl HAS TO BE Sam Rockwell. Silk Spectre HAS TO BE Maura Tierney. The Comedian can be Denis Farina or Harvey Keitel, Dr. Manhattan can be Malkovich or William Hurt, Ozymandias can be any somewhat paunchy former golden boy. Hell, Pierce Brosnan in a wig, whatever. But the main three have to be the above choices. And in three to five years, when this thing finally gets made, you'll see what I mean.
casting by zer0cool2k2	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:28:05 PM
Y'know, I wish they could go back to the late '70s and grab william Smith and bring him to 2005 so he could play the Comedian. With that not being possible, how about Ian McShane, who plays Al Swearengen on HBO's Deadwood? He certainly looks the part. http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/ca st/character/alswearengen.shtm l ............. William H Macy could be great as Rorschach, but I think he's a little too old too. If you want to go by looks alone, watch that Sigourney Weaver flick "Copycat". Harry Connick Jr. always reminds me of Rorschach the way he's made up in that flick. ............ I think Susan Sarandon would be a good choice for Sally Jupiter. And if you want an Adonis type for Ozymandias, why not cast Pitt? I can see john Cusack as NightOwl, just don't stunt cast Jeremy Piven as Rorschach.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" by Darksider	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:32:36 PM
(Pause to catch breath)"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Huh.... by zer0cool2k2	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:33:06 PM
I remember NightOwl being paunchy, but I thought Ozy was still in top physical condition. Guess it's about time to reread the series.
Eh.... by JustinSane	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:43:08 PM
...I haven't liked anything Darren's done yet. I say they should dump him and get Gilliam back after he triumphs with BROTHERS GRIMM and Hollywood finally lets him have final cut.
"AronFOsky" by Recognizer	Apr 22nd, 2004 03:58:51 PM
Fix the spelling especially if it's in a big header -- that said, he knows how to build paranoia and internal monologue, and thinking of the Go scenes and computer scenes in Pi, I think he can pull it off. His direction of actors in Requiem was likewise pretty skillful. And he does irrationality well. "JUICE BY TAPPY" indeed. I still concur that this is absolutely Gilliam stuff in the ideal world, but Aronofsky is more of a "young, hot" proposition, not Bay or Fuqua but not as daring a choice as Gilliam.
"Watchmen Has A Director" by Big Jim	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:01:44 PM
I guess that's progress but I just can't seem to get excited by this news. There's still a lot to do before they start filming and a lot can happen before then to derail this project. I'll believe it is true when I see a trailer.
At least the studios are starting to get mostly smart about adap by alchemist	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:06:03 PM
I've never actually read The Watchmen, but from what I've seen, it seems like Aronofsky's a perfect pick... Besides, David "Voice of Solid Snake" Hayter is an untested director.... And I don't think he'll ever quite live down that "toad hit by lightning" line from X1..... (Snake rawks, though)
whoever said Watchmen is "comic book trash" needs to be shot, dr by Tall_Boy	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:25:50 PM
yah, that means you.
Joss Whedon wrote that "toad hit by lightening" line. by Shigeru	Apr 22nd, 2004 04:43:40 PM
And why does this movie have to be made? It's already in a visual medium, so it's not like visualizing a novel. It's too damn long to make it one movie...NO FANBOY is gonna be pleased with the adaptation. Oh, and even if it does suck, the comic WILL NOT be ruined...go flip through it again...nothing is gonna change it. btw, Pi and Reqiuem rule.
Snake!? SNAAAAAKE!!! by Surf Ninja	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:02:50 PM
David Hayter is the fucking shit.
This means almost nothing. by Mosquito March	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:09:31 PM
Aronofsky seems to have even more trouble getting big projects off the ground than Gilliam does. Not only that, Gilliam at least has a strong and well-respected foundation in sci-fi and fantasy. Aronofsky has directed two small, ugly, bleak films (featuring maybe four or five main characters each), and written/produced one almost-straight-to-video sci-fi dud. Nothing he's done yet has shown that he has the imagination or vision to take on something this huge, so if this really is news, I'm not convinced that it's good news.
I bet you five bucks Alan Moore requests to have his name remove by CranialLeak	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:16:21 PM
Not because it will be a bad movie, but because he's like that. Also, having read the paperback a few years ago, I personally don't think this will be the ultimate movie experience for anybody other than the fans. I am not one of them. Not because I thought it was bad, I actually thought it was a pretty good read. But from a storytelling perspective in a movie, this will turn out to be one of those well-acted, well-paced stories with a so-so ending. I mean, read the book and you'll know what I mean. Anyways, geeks are gonna be caught up in the references, film fans are gonna be somewhat intrigued by the hero concept and possible directing flare, but outsiders (i.e. 70% of the audience) are gonna see a mystery/crime story that is rather passe. My personal opinion is, don't make the movie! Why do we always feel the need to make certain books into a visionary experience? And comic books no less? Don't they already have pictures? Isn't that good enough for you as a supposed fan? Oh well, I'm sure I'm not winning anybody over with my rant, so I will stop now.
on second thoughts, i dont think i want this film to be made. it by mansep	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:28:36 PM

ah screw, this isn't going to be made by spider-ham	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:31:36 PM
Aronfosky is a black plague just like Terry Gilliam. They join a film and funding dies away. This sucks.
i wish people would stop asking for this film to be directed by by mansep	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:35:44 PM

This Movie Is Not Going To Work by Barron34	Apr 22nd, 2004 05:40:35 PM
Hayter is a decent writer, but he has still not passed the test of time; he has just not been around long enough to take on a project that is near sacred to many fans-The Watchmen. Aronofsky is a cool director, but he is still too new and too low-budget for this project, which is going to be very expensive. But the real problem is that The Watchmen simply can not be adapted into a 2 hour movie (read the god-awful adaptation script by Sam Hamm-the writer of the first Tim Burton Batman movie-if you doubt me..you can find it online). The story is way too complex to be captured by a two hour movie. Justice can not be done to it, and a bastardized version of The Watchmen is far, far worse than no Watchmen film at all. The Watchmen is the single greatest comic book ever written about superheroes, hands down. It has the density, length, and texture of a novel, with visuals built right in, as it is not merely a novel, but a GRAPHIC novel. It is simply not going to work as a 2 hour film (ask Terry Gilliam if you doubt this...Gilliam is a brilliant director and is highly experienced in making big budget fantasy and science fiction movies..if Terry says it is unfilmable, trust me, IT IS UNFILMABLE). The Watchmen is a great work of graphic literature, and is a huge personal influence on me as a writer and a fan. If a studio tries to make this and inevitably fucks it up, I will be mighty pissed, and so will many other Alan Moore fans. This is really Moore's masterwork (just about everything he writes is great, but this is his greatest, in my opinion). In any case, this film probably should not be made at all. The only way that I can conceive of it is if it is made into a high-budget, R-rated mini-series to be shown on HBO (Warners owns both DC Comics-the owner of The Watchmen property- and HBO, so it really wouldn't be that difficult to make this deal). Many other fans have suggested this, and I even think that Gilliam said at one point that the only way to go was as a cable mini-series. THAT is the only way to do it without screwing it up. An HBO Watchmen could be as dark, violent, and mature as the original graphic comic series, and could cover the entire series rather than bastardizing it, as a 2 hour film inevtiably would. DO NOT MAKE THIS FILM OR SUFFER THE WRATH OF THE FANS. The Watchemn is the Grail for many comic book fans, just as Tolkein's Lord of the Rings is the Grail for many Fantasy fans. Don't make this movie. Make it an HBO mini-series, or not at all. HBO could sell it as "A Superhero version of the Sopranos". The original comic books can not be done any justice with a 2 hour movie. I say it, Gilliam says it, many other fans say it. Trust us, and do not make this film.
Good news? by Gheorghe Zamfir	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:07:40 PM
As far as I can tell Arnofsky is the go to guy to put a project in limbo. If he can get this off the ground it's exciting stuff though.
Burt Reynolds as the Comedian? by Catbarf the 5th	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:21:34 PM
He sure fits the look and age of the character, and he can sport a convincing white-wall hairdo...
IMDB says Aronofsky is doing Lone Wolf and Cub by MattyBoomStar	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:29:34 PM
How many great comic franchises does this guy have his fingerprints on? Also....he hasn't made a movie in like 8 years....wtf. www.WhiteEyeLid.com
Aronofsky will improve on it by flossygomez	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:32:13 PM
The storyline of Watchmen was a little forced and psuedo high brow soap operatic for me. Especially considering all the protagonists were running around in silly costumes. Don't get me wrong, I love Alan Moores work, and I love movies in which characters run around in gay costumes. And no, I don't mean camp, which is just a sly wink from people with no talent. I just thought Watchmen took itself a little too seriously with its extremely forced ironic pose. I hope Aronofsky will improve upon this property and make the FORCED irony a little more subtle.
fuck by hank quinlan	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:33:39 PM
I like Pi. Requiem blew. But really, they should NEVER make this movie. I really dont want to see fucking DA's version. Or anyone elses. It will never measure up. And I am not sure how they can update the cold war element to a post 9/11 world. Do we really want to see New York destroyed again? ANd in case you didn't notice, half the world cheered when it happened. Kinda flies in the face of Ozymandias's plan. I think it's noble to try to give it to someone like Aronofsky. Just not him. Oh well...I guess it will depend on the Fountain. Which is gonna suck even if they do make it. Pitt was smart to do Troy. That movie is going to be huge.
and also and furthermore. by flossygomez	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:35:15 PM
Oh...and V for Vendetta is superior in every way to Watchmen. No friggin contest.
David Caruso... by DocPazuzu	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:38:42 PM
...would be the perfect Rorschach.
eh. by horseloverfat723	Apr 22nd, 2004 06:42:02 PM
I'm just gonna go ahead and assume the worst on this one. I loved Pi, but absolutely loathed Requiem for a Dream. Whatever amazing talent the guy had went down the toilet on that one. I just don't trust comic book adaptations, even with names attached to it that supposedly have some sort of 'integrity.'
Cash Bailey- What's wrong? Couldn't get into NYU? by Some Dude	Apr 22nd, 2004 07:19:43 PM
Ha, ha.
Big Job(oh er) by proper	Apr 22nd, 2004 08:22:34 PM
I agree with the talkbackers who feel this would work as a mini series.It would allow the film makers to cover all the tangents that the original series did(the pirate story springs to mind).As a film it would downsize the story too much.But to the guys who are to try and adapt this, get this right you will be kings,get it wrong ...........
Aronofsky has a seamless record by illegit	Apr 22nd, 2004 08:37:27 PM
Pi was absolutely brilliant, and Reqiuem was fantastic as well. I've been eagerly awaiting whatever his next project turns out to be, but the way things have been going for his projects, maybe he should keep it small/indy. It's a shame The Fountain's budget got chopped in half from it's original plan (when Pitt was on-board). But if anyone can make it work Darren can.
Ian McShane as Eddie Blake? by Johnny Smith	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:18:46 PM
Cool idea. Maybe Timothy Olyphant as Dreiberg? And I agree with the comment about Maura Tierney as Silk Spectre.
Casting, casting, casting... by Antonio Gramsci	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:24:42 PM
Clive Owen as Rorshach. Tim Roth? Mackenzie Crook? Hell, Mickey Rourke could give it a shot. As for The Comedian: if you're going big-budget, Bruce Willis or Kurt Russell. If you want to do it right, give William Forsythe or Ray Winstone the job.
Casting Revisited by Barron34	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:54:14 PM
I do not think they should make this movie, but rather it should be made into an HBO mini-series (see my prior post: This Movie Is Not Going To Work, for a detailed discussion of why). That said, here are some casting ideas anyway.*** I think the prior poster might have been onto something with the idea of casting Bruce Willis as the Comedian. Gary Sinise or William H. Macy would be good choices for Rorschach, in my opinion. Alec Baldwin would be good for Dreiburg/Nite Owl. James Garner would be good for the original Nite Owl. Julianne Moore would be my choice for the new Silk Spectre. I would have to go with Val Kilmer for Ozymandias. Jude Law is way too young and lightweight for the role, and I can't think of any major movie actors who come close to looking the part and the age. Lastly, whoever suggested John Hurt for Dr. Manhatten is on the money. Hurt has the right appearance and the detached manner neccessary to play Manhatten, who must mainly appear to be out of touch with normal humans.* To the posters who feel Steve Buscemi should play Rorschach: I think you are wrong. Buscemi is way too tall and gangly for Rorschach. Rorschach is short but wiry/muscular. These physical attributes are key to his character. Buscemi is tall and skinny, not short and wiry. I think Gary Sinise is very close to Rorschach physically, and could really do a hell of a job with the voice and acting required for the role. Macy would be my second choice, but I am not sure he could portray the toughness and psychosis that is central to the character as well as Sinise could. Macy is good, but is a less intense actor than Sinise. Macy tends to project a softer, more likable persona that I think is off for Rorschach. So, I think that Sinise would be the way to go. *** As far as the other actors go: Willis is young enough to portray the younger Eddie Blake (CG should be used to make Willis "younger" for these scenes). Alec Baldwin would need to be "geeked up" a bit to play Dreiberg/Nite Owl, but he is paunchy enough and middle-aged enough to play the character. Dreiberg is key as the most sympathetic male character in the story, I think, and Baldwin has the ability to play the washed up nature of the character at the start, and then his re-transformation into a more dynamic hero later in the story when he decides to put on the mask once more and take to the skies as Nite Owl. I think that Julianne Moore has the capacity to play the tough-talking Silk Spectre and to also elicit our sympathy. She is a key emotional character, and the confrontation on Mars between her and Dr. Manhatten is critical to the Watchmen story. To those who suggested Maura Tierny: Maura would be great for this role if she were ten years older. I disagree with those who insist that all of these characters are in their 30s. They really range in age from the 30s to their 50s and beyond. Ozymandias, for example, is probably pushing 50, but still looks youthful due to his superhuman physical regimen and training. These are characters who were mostly in their prime in the 1960s. I strongly beleive that they should not be played by younger actors. Anyway, those are my casting ideas. Barron out.
Correction by Barron34	Apr 22nd, 2004 09:56:23 PM
I meant WILLIAM Hurt for Dr. Manhatten, NOT John Hurt, of course. I am tired (been a long day). Anyway, whoever suggested William Hurt for Doc Manhatten was on targert. Barron out.
Since we're playing the Casting Game.... by filker-tom	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:13:30 PM
... howzabout Ed Norton as Dan Dreiberg, Ron Perlman as the Comedian, Jonathan Hadary as Rorschach, Hugh Jackman as Doctor Manhattan, Katherine Zeta-Jones as Silk Spectre, and Jeff Daniels or George Clooney as Adrian Veidt?
Barron34 is right... by Johnny Ahab	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:17:18 PM
...this would make a brilliant HBO series -- but I don't see Joe Moviegoer plunking down $8 on a Saturday night to see something so dour and dark. And how do you cram the whole dang series into a decent 2-hour film? You don't. Twill suffer. I hate being the naysayer on this, but I'm reeeeeal skeptical about this working as a film although intrigued and hoping it comes out well. Good call on Aronofsky.
Tall_Boy, I concur!!! by Zombie Vig	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:38:16 PM

I re-read Watchmen tonight. It cannot be brought to film by CKnightShift	Apr 22nd, 2004 11:59:07 PM
First time I read the graphic novel I was fifteen years old. That book changed me on so many levels, made me think about things in a whole different light. Have probably reread it a hundred times over the past 14 years or so and after another one tonight... this can't work. Aronofsky can't do it. Gilliam couldn't do it and admitted as much. It's TOO DENSE a thing to take in visually and philosophically at the same time. I'd LOVE to see Watchmen come to life on the screen, but the only way that it could be done and still do it justice is to give the Wachowski Brothers a billion-dollar budget and let them direct a 24-hour long 12-part (one for each night) TV miniseries... and even then they'd miss stuff. But maybe it's a good thing: the sound of Rorschach's voice (or at least what I think his voice sounds like) will be something that I and I alone will know, forever. Just as the sound of his voice is yours forever. No movie could do justice to the scene where Kovacs stops "pretending to be Rorschach" (those who've read it KNOW what I mean) or adequately portray the friendship that evolves between the newsstand vendor and the boy. The innermost thoughts of being a real superhero that Night Owl reveals in the "Under The Hood" excerpts, Jon's loss of his humanity... those things can't be captured on celluloid the way the book did. As much as I'd love to see a faithful execution of Watchmen, I'll be content to let it stay on my bookshelf for many more years to come :)
ebonic plague by Barron34	Apr 23rd, 2004 12:14:44 AM
Yeah, I remember that HBO guy reference from "Fortune and Glory" also (Bendis is great). I still think WATCHMEN could be sold to HBO as a mini-series. Heres why: 1)comic books are hot in the entertainment industry right now, post-X-Men and Spiderman (did "Fortune and Glory" occur before or after the current comic book boom in Hollywood? Makes a difference, I think). Creative Execs want to get on board this gravy train before the gravy trains passes them by. So, even an Exec who doesn't like comic books MIGHT think twice now when presented with a pitch based on a comic book; 2) WATCHMEN is not just any comic book; it is basically the CITIZEN KANE of comic books; it transformed the idea of what a superhero comic book could be. It is acgknowledged by most discerning fans as the height of the art of what comic books CAN be. It is one of the closest things to literature that we have in the genre. In a sense, it is the Holy Grail of comic books. If the fact that this is "perhaps the best comic book/graphic novel that there ever has been" is sold properly to HBO, even an Exec who disdains comic books might take a second look at it; and 3) If we can just get the creative execs to actually READ the Watchmen, I am certain that they will either be hooked, or will at least recognize the skill, value, and talent in the work, and will see that it is worthy of HBO, or any other quality entertainment outlet. The work is great, so let the work speak for itself. We just need to get The Watchmen into the hands of the Readers and Creatives at HBO, and I think that the book can sell itself. 4) The Watchmen is owned by DC Comics, which is owned by Time Warner. HBO is owned by Time Warner. It is possible that Execs upstairs at Time Warner could push the project based on the idea of "synergy". Why should Warners and HBO go outside of the corporate entity to buy properties to adapt to film and cable when they have valuable properties like WATCHMEN inside the company? Anyway, all of these factors could be leveraged by a smart Producer who wants to sell WATCHMEN to HBO as a mini-series. It could be sold as "Superheroes meet The Sopranos". In other words, a dark, violent, mature drama. WATCHMEN already has a built in audience with the comic fans it has accrued in almost 20 years of history. Shit, I'd subscribe to cable just to see a WATCHMEN mini-series, and I sure as hell would buy the ultra-deluxe fan DVD box when IT came out. So, you have the fans, THEN you have the mainstream audiences that get hooked by the story itself, once it is presented on HBO. So, I think that an HBO mini-series is a marketable idea. Anyway, thanks for the smart response and the cool Bendis reference (for anyone that is interested in both comci books and Hollywood, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of "Fortune and Glory" if you already haven't. Good stuff).
More casting by SPlissken	Apr 23rd, 2004 12:31:46 AM
How about Greg Kinnear as Adrian. Julianne Moore as Silk is good... maybe Rene Russo?? Russell Crowe as The Comedian. Here's a stretch: Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue) as Dr Manhattan? For Rorschach... Cillian Murphy, if he was about 10 years older.
The best we're likely to hope for... by Dead Cowboy	Apr 23rd, 2004 12:36:19 AM
...is a movie that is BASED on the graphic novel and is good in its own right. From Hell is a good example -- the collected edition is as thick as a phone book. The movie was not extraordinarily faithful, but it retained a few key scenes and elements and told the same basic story. The rest of it was rewritten from the ground up. Unless Watchmen gets made into a miniseries or the movie runs four hours, there's no way it'll be faithful to the comic. The best you can hope for is that like The Crow and From Hell, the movie, while only marginally faithful, is good in and of itself.
I just read Sam Hamm's draft from 89 which was pretty decent -- by Tall_Boy	Apr 23rd, 2004 01:01:35 AM
http://scifiscripts.com/script s/wtchmn.txt In all honesty, I thought the script kinda kicked ass for awhile -- almost all of my favourite moments from WATCHMEN were there. Most of the dialogue was intact too. And then the ending. You all know how the book does it (which is what fucking rocks about it) but JESUS TAPDANCIN CHRIST WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY SMOKING WHEN THEY CAME UP WITH THIS ENDING?!!! I seriously can't stress how much any Watchmen geek should read this, enjoy about 70% of it and then fucking go insane with the end. for the ppl who are too lazy to read the whole script, I'll summarize the ending. Spoilers, natch. So yah, the script basically goes along the Watchmen plot fairly faithfully for the most part. Though in his draft, Laurie has cancer which is silly. There's a random action sequence at the beginning that isn't from the book, but I dug it. Aside from that, most of the attitute and style is in there. Anyways the end has the nuclear war starting, as opposed to Vrelt destroying New York, and they go up to his artic retreat and it turns out he has a FRIGGIN TIME WINDOW into the past and he's going to KILL DR. MANHATTAN before he's turned into the big blue guy. Now I watch alot of Star Trek so I dig time travel stuff but--- seriously, this is SOOO out of left field and has fuck-all to do with the end of the book. Argh. So retarded. And it ends on - LAURIE We'll tell them what's happened. They'll listen to reason, won't they -- ? RORSCHACH They'd better. And on RORSCHACH's final vicious HISS, we SHOCK CUT TO BLACK and THE END". ARGH!!!! FUCK!!! See is the big MOVIE CHEER MOMENT FOR THE HEROES. Did I mention the entire timeline is changed except for Rosharsh, Silk Spectre and Night Owl?! Good lord. Well anyways, yah, aside from that 3rd donkey-balls sucking act, the script is pretty decent. I think it can totally be done in a single movie. Just don't fuck with it and we'll be happy.
There's just no way they'll use the plot of the book (spoiler).. by FrankDrebin	Apr 23rd, 2004 01:40:58 AM
New York is intentionally destroyed in order to unite the country? No way! Instead, they'll just use the serial killer subplot, with superheroes getting bumped off instead of teenagers. Maybe if they include some of the other subplots (Rorschach driving his shrink crazy; the Comedian's backstory; Dr Manhattan losing his grip on his humanity), it'll be more than just a murder mystery. Anyway, if we're nominating other Alan Moore books for filming, how about something completely different...THE BOJEFFRIES SAGA! ("Skleek, skleek, skleek...The Rentman Cometh!")
WILLEM DAFOE - RORSHARCH - WILLEM DAFOE - RORSHARCH by THEWANKER	Apr 23rd, 2004 03:55:13 AM
WILLEM DAFOE MUST PLAY RORSHARCH. YOU DONT UNDERSTAND. JESUS CHRIST, IT HAS TO HAPPEN. AS MUCH AS I LOVE BILL MACY, HE CAN'T PULL OFF THE BADASSNESS THAT IS RORSHARCH. WILLEM FUCKING DAFOE, PEOPLE.
It fucking sucks when a great script is all go to get made, but by TheGinger Twit	Apr 23rd, 2004 04:49:41 AM

NEWS FLASH - SHAUN OF THE DEAD TOPS BOX OFFICE - by BlackHarryPotter	Apr 23rd, 2004 07:38:59 AM
Thank the maker! The great British public has answered the call of the undead and now...Shaun of the Dead has finally kicked box office shit out of Scooby Doo - WE ARE NUMBER 1 in the mid-week charts. There is a god after all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Requiem for a Dream" was "Reefer Madness 2001." That is all. No by Noriko Takaya	Apr 23rd, 2004 07:58:36 AM
And this site still sucks goat cock and swallows.
Watchmen Casting by Max Rockatansky	Apr 23rd, 2004 08:46:45 AM
To be honest, I'm pretty happy with the choice Warner made for directing this epic. What if R.Rodriguez or some other flavor of the month director were signed?Aronofsky has the right sensibility for this and Warner is proving that after Nolan was signed for BATMAN they have learned from earlier mistakes. As for Gilliam, he had his chance and admitted that he couldn't condense the story in a working script. Casting RORSCHACH I always imagined that Courtney gaines would be teh perfect choiice (you may remember him as a supporting player in COLORS and THE BURBS). Check him out http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies .yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/mov ie_pix/columbia_pictures/s_w_a _t_/courtney_gains/swatpre.jpg Although Tim Roth would aslo be nice. THE COMEDIAN I would like to see Tom Berenger as the reactionary enforcer (In Platoon he already wore the accurate make up). http://www.mats2go.com/images/ Large/05-07-5.jpg NITE OWL I liked the choice of one of the above posters, Alec Baldwin would be really good, I think he was, til the Oscars, always a bit underrated. DR.MANHATTAN Since he does not age, I suggest his appearance resembles a thirtyish, well built and tall guy. I think Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has the perfect physique for the blue boy (I know, this is a bit out of left field. He was a real cool Delta Force guy in Black Hawk Down. http://www.6omdagen.dk/newpic/ film/KB_Still_2.jpg
Sorry for the spelling mistakes, I'm kinda allergic to my keyboa by Max Rockatansky	Apr 23rd, 2004 08:51:10 AM

Damien Lewis or the dude from Road to Perdition for Rorschach by DannyOcean01	Apr 23rd, 2004 10:28:35 AM
Without a doubt
Someone here once said they could imagine a Watchmen Trailer wit by mortsleam	Apr 23rd, 2004 10:47:56 AM
That's obviously ridiculous, but has anyone listend to Radiohead's "Hail to the Theif" lately? That album is the fucking cast recording of Watchmen: The Musical. Also, I refer everyone to last week's episode of the Sopranos for conclusive proof that the ONLY person who can be Rorschach is Steve Buscemi. Just imagine Rorschach doing to Big Figure what Tony Blundetto did to the Korean Dry Cleaner. "Yeh. Human Bean Juice. Heh."
Aronofsky. Why did it have to be Aronofsky? by WarDog	Apr 23rd, 2004 11:24:36 AM
I'd rather get sick with the stomach flu for a week than watch another thing done by that pretentious, untalented, overrated hack. This adaptation of The Watchmen is gonna sssssssuuuuuuuuucccccccckkkkkk k-k-k-k-k-k-k!
Oh boy, another comic book adaptation by numberface	Apr 23rd, 2004 12:21:46 PM

Those saying "Hollywood would NEVER film its big, bold, shocking by Big Dumb Ape	Apr 23rd, 2004 02:44:06 PM
Sheesh, even Alan Moore knew it. In the comic it's even shown as playing on a background TV. But I did like WATCHMEN, but I would prefer to see it as an HBO or SHOWTIME or cable miniseries that took the story properly going book by book. In all likelihood, they could then easily condense 2 comics at a time into one 90 minute/2 hour episode -- so a 5 or 6 part miniseries. Actually, speaking of cable, I don't know why the SCI FI Channel never optioned this ages ago for development as an original programming event...
Where are the boobz? by Le King Cock	Apr 23rd, 2004 03:12:27 PM
I think The Watchmen it is indeed a very good movie. They should make a book after it. The cover jacket should be designed by the guy who worked at the Kill Bill I poster, because it is not so gory but the movie was gory so, you know, it is kind of subtle. I like things this way. Subtle is cool.
New Del Toro by Mentok	Apr 23rd, 2004 03:18:42 PM
Over at dark horizons, they are saying that Guillermo Del Toro is scouting locations for a Ghost Town movie in New Mexico. This wouldn't be the Ghost Town movie that Harry's been working on, would it?
Who cares? Watchmen is overrated by flossygomez	Apr 23rd, 2004 03:48:17 PM
Costumed heros are gay, always were...always will be. Watchmen is sooooo deep. I just didn't pick up on the pathos when the owner of that auto garage keeled over with a heart attack while wearing fake boobs. It was just too subtle and not shoved up my ass the way I like it.
Casting List by pmarq	Apr 23rd, 2004 04:30:34 PM
Ozymandius: Has to be very likeable, athletic, but have a smarmy side. Remember, he's not the villian until the very end, so he can't be cast as one. My guess: Ewan McGregor. Nite Owl 2: Liam Neeson. Hands down, he has that sadness, plus the build, and he can put on a few extra pounds. And he's a terrific actor. Nite Owl 1: George Carlin. I think that would be a real coup, if he's willing to shave the goatee (maybe not). He's likeable, but ornery. Moloch: Gary Oldman. He can make the great transition from young evil magician to cancer-riddled elder very easily. Rorshach: William H. Macy, just for the looks and the chops. He's very sympathetic, and can produce an amazing amount of rage when he needs to. I would also say perhaps Kevin Spacey. Some might say Willem Dafoe, but he is too type cast into this kind of role, and it would ring false. Silk Specter 2: Angelina Jolie. She's got the body, but she's also a great actress. We'll see if she can age well enough playing Colin Farrell's mother in Alexander. If she can, then that's the ticket. If she can't, then go for Julianne Moore. Silk Spectre 1: Sigourney Weaver... she'll be able to play the range of age rather well. Or perhaps Faye Dunaway, but she'd need a standin for the early years. I'm really not sure about this role. Comedian: Ray Liotta. You know he's got the personality, and he can do the age gamut really well (ie: Goodfellas), but he also has that intensity (see Narc). If he isn't available, try Dennis Quaid. Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman: For his human roles, I think he should be played by a youngish actor like Jude Law or someone along those lines. I don't know and for the second reason I don't care. The second part, Dr. Manhattan, must be played by a CGI model based on the actor, but 'amplified', like he has improved upon himself in rebuilding. This will enable the obvious special effects involved with the character, as well as allow the animators to throw in some unsettling motion to the way he walks, moves. He would be simply STILL when he's thinking, never blink, never react like a human being. He would start out most human after he has first returned to life, but over the years, progressively lose his humanity. The voice actor would have to be a spectacular performer, who would lose his inflections/accent over the course of the movie. Nuff said. That's my take.
Casting List - maybe with some carriage returns? by pmarq	Apr 23rd, 2004 04:32:18 PM
Ozymandius: Has to be very likeable, athletic, but have a smarmy side. Remember, he's not the villian until the very end, so he can't be cast as one. My guess: Ewan McGregor. Nite Owl 2: Liam Neeson. Hands down, he has that sadness, plus the build, and he can put on a few extra pounds. And he's a terrific actor. Nite Owl 1: George Carlin. I think that would be a real coup, if he's willing to shave the goatee (maybe not). He's likeable, but ornery. Moloch: Gary Oldman. He can make the great transition from young evil magician to cancer-riddled elder very easily. Rorshach: William H. Macy, just for the looks and the chops. He's very sympathetic, and can produce an amazing amount of rage when he needs to. I would also say perhaps Kevin Spacey. Some might say Willem Dafoe, but he is too type cast into this kind of role, and it would ring false. Silk Specter 2: Angelina Jolie. She's got the body, but she's also a great actress. We'll see if she can age well enough playing Colin Farrell's mother in Alexander. If she can, then that's the ticket. If she can't, then go for Julianne Moore. Silk Spectre 1: Sigourney Weaver... she'll be able to play the range of age rather well. Or perhaps Faye Dunaway, but she'd need a standin for the early years. I'm really not sure about this role. Comedian: Ray Liotta. You know he's got the personality, and he can do the age gamut really well (ie: Goodfellas), but he also has that intensity (see Narc). If he isn't available, try Dennis Quaid. Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman: For his human roles, I think he should be played by a youngish actor like Jude Law or someone along those lines. I don't know and for the second reason I don't care. The second part, Dr. Manhattan, must be played by a CGI model based on the actor, but 'amplified', like he has improved upon himself in rebuilding. This will enable the obvious special effects involved with the character, as well as allow the animators to throw in some unsettling motion to the way he walks, moves. He would be simply STILL when he's thinking, never blink, never react like a human being. He would start out most human after he has first returned to life, but over the years, progressively lose his humanity. The voice actor would have to be a spectacular performer, who would lose his inflections/accent over the course of the movie. Nuff said. That's my take.
Carriage Returns!!!! Arrghghggh by pmarq	Apr 23rd, 2004 04:33:26 PM
That sucks.
Watchmen as an HBO mini-series by JBElliott	Apr 23rd, 2004 05:34:53 PM
The best way for Watchmen to be adapted to film would be an HBO mini-series in the same vein as "From the Earth to the Moon" or "Band of Brothers." There's not enough time in a two or three hour film to do the 12 issue mini-series justice.
Debra Winger... by Gislef_crow	Apr 23rd, 2004 06:05:09 PM
...as Rorschach. Anyone seen her in "Made in Heaven" as Emmett? I think that's the movie where she plays a guy who is a dead ringer for Kovacs.
Man... by hank quinlan	Apr 23rd, 2004 06:38:33 PM
...if they fuck this up, the fallout will be worse then Batman and Robin. If it is just little wrong, people will be screaming for blood, and the general public will laugh at it. It could set comic book movies back to the stone age. Fucking this up won't quite be on the level of fucking up LOTR because the fan base isn't as big but it will be a royal screw up of Schumacher proportions. Giving it to an arrogant prick like Aronofsky smells like trouble. If you wanted that sensibility I would have thrown money at David Fincher. He knows his way around a script and has a way with darker material other young directors aspire to. Nolan felt like the right fit for Batman as Jackson did for LOTR and Raimi for Spiderman. This thing is going to get mired in Aronofsky's bullshit the way the Batman movies got lost in Burton's crap. And a half good Watchmen is no Watchmen at all. We all deserve better. And Harry was sooooooo right on the Punisher. I wanted it to be great. It sucked.
re: ebonic plague by Barron34	Apr 23rd, 2004 07:07:51 PM
All of your points make good sense. There certainly are a lot of obstacles for a project like this, but there usually are plenty of creative and financial obstacles for any great project being adapted to film or TV. What this project need is a Producer who understands the material and has the tenacity to see this project through to its proper conclusion (God, how I would love to be just such a Producer, but I am not in the Hollywood loop, at least right now). I guess I am just hopeful when it comes to such a great property as WATCHMEN. I really do believe that Hayter is a great WATCHMEN fan, but I think that he might be too close to the project to see that it is not going to work as a 2 hour film. Hayter is inside the film world, so he is trying to make this as a film. To crib from Ozymandias' philosophy, this project requires some lateral thinking. The smart thing to do is to make this into a cable mini-series, not a two hour movie, as we have already argued. I really think the person to get to might be Hayter, as well as the creatives at HBO. Hayter is the driving force behind this project right now, and he is the one who probably needs to be convinced that a cable series is the way to go, not feature film. If Hayter can be convinced to change direction on the project, he could then act as a Writer/Producer on the HBO project. Just an idea. Anyway, this has been a real cool discussion. I would urge any Interns or Industry people reading this to go back and read my posts (Barron34) and ebonic plagues for the entire discussion (I think it starts with my post titles "Why This Movie Won't Work"). So, thanks for the smart responses, ebonic plague. Barron out.
JBElliott, you are correct by squidman	Apr 23rd, 2004 07:08:36 PM
Too many of the necessary nuances which made the Watchmen such a defining book would be lost in a 2-hour formulaic Hollywood interpretation. (I posted!!! - now I feel like a big man!) Anyhoo, JBElliott, I hope you are an HBO plant, or some kind of exec. that can make this happen. Nobody can build hype around a genre like HBO. Look at what they did for "the mafia" "sexually-empowered women" and "shallow comedies (the adult Seinfeld)". The super-hero theme is hot right now. Strike while the iron is hot. Or when Iron Man is hot. Whatever. I'm not funnny, I just have an opinion.
More Casting by Barron34	Apr 23rd, 2004 07:18:10 PM
Whoever suggested Tom Berenger for The Comedian: brilliant! His character from PLATOON was almost dead-on Eddie Blake. Just add the dark humor of the Comedian, and you have the character down. Perfect. My original choice was Bruce Willis, but Berenger, who is under-rated and under-used as an actor, would be great.***Whoever suggested Faye Dunaway for the older Silk Spectre: more brilliant casting! I was having a hard time coming up with an actress for this role, but you nailed it! Cast the aging Bonnie from BONNIE AND CLYDE as Sally Jupiter! Faye is a great actress, and this would be a great role for her.*Finally, whoever suggested Gary Oldman for Moloch: that's just about perfect casting also. Good job.***To reiterate my other casting choices: Gary Sinise or William H. Macy for Rorschach (I would prefer Sinise for his greater capacity to play menacing and psychotic. Bill Macy might just be too darn likeable to carry off the Rorschach role). William Hurt and CGI for Jon Osterman/Dr. Manhatten. Alec Baldwin for Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II. James Garner as Nite Owl I. Julianne Moore for Silk Spectre II. Val Kilmer for Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias. Did I leave anyone out? I think those are all of the main players. Anyway, I repeat my hope that this not be made into a 2 hour film, but rather into an R-rated HBO mini-series (sold as "superheroes meet the Sopranos"). WATCHMEN is a great, literate, unique comic book project. It is the CITIZEN KANE of comic books, and needs to be done right. Otherwise, fans will get mighty pissed off, I predict. I hope the project works out right. It really needs to be done right, or not at all. Barron out.
Aronofsky by dalgodaprime	Apr 23rd, 2004 08:38:26 PM
Okay...Requiem for a Dream was one of the most depressing pieces of crap I have ever seen. I can just hear it now, HOW DARE HE SAY THAT ABOUT A WONDERFUL PIECE OF ART. Yeah right... Hopefully, if he actually does film Watchmen he will not ruin what is truly an artistic masterpiece of modern literature. I don't think Watchmen can be encapsulated into two hours. I think it should be filmed as a cable mini-series with an episode for each of the twelve issues.
Big Dumb Ape by Johnny Smith	Apr 23rd, 2004 08:46:02 PM
Actually, and I bring this up every talkback where Watchmen is mentioned, the ending is more directly cribbed from the midsection of Kurt Vonnegut's The Sirens of Titan. Compare that with the old Outer Limits ep and see what I mean.
Rorschach actor by World dictator	Apr 23rd, 2004 09:36:29 PM
Is it just me or would Kevin Spacey make a great Rorschach.Think the usual suspects meets seven
Bruce Cambpell is... by THEWANKER	Apr 23rd, 2004 11:42:39 PM
The Comedian. Fanboyism aside. He would fucking rock this role to kingdom come, nigras.
Watchmen by Indiana Clones	Apr 24th, 2004 01:12:48 AM
Dr Manhattan = Jeff Goldblum. Rorschach = Mark Whalberg. Dreiberg = Bill Pullman. Veidt = Mel Gibson. Comedian = Tom Berenger.
Re: Watchmen Casting Baron 34 by Max Rockatansky	Apr 24th, 2004 12:27:47 PM
Thank you for the flowers, Baron, I had Berenger in mind for THE COMEDIAN since the day I first read WATCHMEN 10 or so years ago. As for your choices, I absolutely agree on James Garner as NITE OWL I, great pick. Same for Gary Oldman as Moloch. I already posted that I really liked the idea of Alec Baldwin playing NITE OWL II, but Tim Robbins akso sounds good to me, even if he may be a little too tall. I don't want to sound ike a nuisance but I would really like t o hear what you talbackers think of Courtney Gains as RORSCHACH. http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies .yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/mov ie_pix/columbia_pictures/s_w_a _t_/courtney_gains/swatpre.jpg Donnie Wahlberg was always my most hated NKOTB guy, but over the years he proved to be a worthy actor especially in BoB. In my opinion he could be a great RORSCHACH, even better than Gains.
cheesy costumes by SLEAZY DINOSAUR	Apr 24th, 2004 02:06:18 PM
I could be wrong, but I always thought the costumes were designed to look kind of cheesy. Watchmen was supposed to take place in the real world, so Moore had costumes that would be more realistic, and in the real world, people would look kind of silly running around in costumes. As far as casting, Berenger is perfect for the Comedian. John Malkovich would be great as Rorcshack. I would love to see Dennis Farina as the original Nite-Owl.
I still say this will never work by Wydok	Apr 24th, 2004 02:35:03 PM
They won't be able to capture the spirit of the story. In the end, they will have a cheesy superhero conspiracy movie. Also, do Moore and Gibbons get any money if this gets off the ground? I hope so.
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Doug Hutchinson = Rorsharch by Ribbons	Apr 24th, 2004 05:15:03 PM
The actor who played Tooms in "The X-Files" and, more specifically, Percy in 'The Green Mile.' I don't know if I spelled his name right, so feel free to take me to task on my laziness. He may not be a perfect fit, but he's the best one I've heard so far (I heard the suggestion on a previous 'Watchmen' talkback).
I've been thinking... by Johnny Smith	Apr 24th, 2004 06:56:28 PM
...and here's my revised cast, complete with suggestions from Talkbackers. Think about it, people. This cast needs to be comprised entirely of little known actors, actors well past their 15 minutes, or people who never really got the respect they deserved. OZYMANDIAS: Clancy Brown. He's perfect. RORSCHACH: Jeremy Davies, with prostehtics and aging makeup. DR. MANHATTAN: Wayne Pygram. Think about it. THE COMEDIAN: Robert Blake. SILK SPECTRE II: Julianne Moore. SILK SPECTRE I: Faye Dunaway. HOLLIS MASON: Adam West. NITE-OWL II: Jeff Goldblum.
Oh, two additions... by Johnny Smith	Apr 24th, 2004 07:00:06 PM
MALCOLM LONG: Avery Brooks. MOLOCH: Herbert Lom.
Thanks for pointing that out, Johnny Smith... by Big Dumb Ape	Apr 24th, 2004 08:26:36 PM
I had forgotten about that reference as well. Good call for bringing it up. My notion for posting the similarity to the OUTER LIMITS episode was not to knock WATCHMEN's ending at all, but simply to note that IF Hollywood was willing to film that story years and year ago and have that ending, I'm sure that current Hollywood -- which is certainly far more willing to be open or controversial -- would have no real problem keeping Moore's ending (and point to the story) intact in a new major budgeted movie. If they DO change Moore's ending, it seems to me they really are changing the story and at that point it's in danger of just becoming a souped up superhero murder mystery. But in condensing this down to a 2 hour movie, maybe that's what the producers are focusing more on. So all in all, I'd love to hear more about "what" Hayter's script actually kept in. Anyone heard more about the script itself?
Could be interresting...Aronofsky could be a good choice by Hockenberry	Apr 24th, 2004 08:59:52 PM
and Tom berenger would be perfect as the Comedian
My 2 cents. I'd like a younger cast at first, then aged later i by Darksider	Apr 25th, 2004 08:37:05 AM
Barry Pepper as Rorshach. Christian Bale as Dr. Manhattan. Edward Norton as Moloch. Ray Liotta as The Comedian. Thomas Jane as Ozymandius. Jennifer Garner or Kate Beckinsale as Silk Specter. The Night Owl is a tough one. Maybe Jason Lee. He's got to be a nerd, but intelligent and heroic as well.
you guys hate everything by andersonfan	Apr 25th, 2004 06:38:11 PM
Aronforsky will be great for this as Requiem is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. But lets be honest Harry could have said any director and you guys would ahve trashed as the only thing these message boards do is foster cynicism. Everything sucks to you guys.
Casting by castaway	Apr 25th, 2004 06:49:56 PM
I believe that this movie will only be a big success if the following parts are cast thus so: The Comedian (old)- Stacy Keach; The Comedian (young)- Treat Williams; Nite Owl (the aged original)- Kirk Douglas; Nite Owl (Dan Dreiberg)- Jeff Daniels; Rorshach- Tim Roth; The Silk Spectre- Neve Campbell (acting experience aside I'm just going by looks on this casting choice cuz I can't think of anyone else); Sally Jupiter (young or old or with or without age make-up)- Vanessa Redgrave or Julianne Moore; Ozymandias- Billy Zane (he could probably nail that part at the end where he has a good cry about saving the world by having to kill so many people to do it) ; Dr. Manhattan- Billy Zane (I can't help it and I can't think of any other people for the Doc except for Vin Diesel but Dammitt outside of looks he just does not match with this part in any other way, is William Hurt to tall for this role, I think I could imagine his voice for this unless they just dubbed over the actor's voice for this part with a special sound effect made to make the big blue guy sound more ominipotent and near-god-like); I guess that would be the cast, can't think of anyone else I'm missing. I think Aronofsky's a good choice as long as he makes a movie and not go too far experimentally (I loved Requiem, thought it was the best of 2000 but I can see how some people can call it pretentious) I've got a good idea for a tag line but I think I will save it for my mock trailer for this flick. Here's hoping to seeing it before we die and here's to hoping they don't majorly fuck it up Queen of the Damned-style if you catch my drift.....anyone else have casting ideas or different director ideas besides the obvious fanboy wet dream alternate? (Peter Jackson)
Darren Aronfosky?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHO IN THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!?! by RickSlamu2	Apr 25th, 2004 07:29:06 PM
And if i havent herd of him, what in the hell would be the problem with letting Hayter Direct?!?!
Rorschach casting by Max Rockatansky	Apr 26th, 2004 07:02:04 AM
Vincent Cassell springs to mind.
Luscious by Pandas-R-Us	Apr 26th, 2004 11:51:16 AM
The word is "Grammar". Irony level...approaching...critical .
Pandas-R-Us + Casting by r_number6	Apr 26th, 2004 04:11:14 PM
"Irony level..approaching...critical. " Funniest damn thing I've read in I don't know how long. My 2 cents on casting: Love the idea of Tom Berenger for the Comedian, I'm just not sure who they could get to play him in his younger Minutemen days. Blake was only supposed to have been in his teens when the Minutement formed. Another great choice as the older Comedian - Jesse Ventura. As far as I know he's still in good shape, and I was imagining his voice when I was reading Blake's dialog. He'd be perfect for Blake from Viet Nam on. I also completely agree with Jeff Goldblum as Dreiberg. He's a bit old for the part, but he's aged well enough that he could play someone younger than he is, and he could play the part beautifully. Ditto Willem Defoe as Rorschach, although Kevin Spacey is intriguing. Doesn't really look like Kovaks in the book, but man he could play that part well. Back when Gilliam was involved I thought of Kenneth Branagh as Veidt, but he's a bit old for it at this point. Jude Law might be the right choice. Of course all this may be one big moot point, since this thing is a long way from even starting. The early 90's Gilliam version looked like it was an absolute lock to get made, then it just fizzled out, which, having just glanced through Hamm's screenplay, especially the ridiculous ending, was probably a good thing. Still wish they could get Gilliam on board if they do make it, though. He has the perfect visual and narrative style for the story...
Note to Naive Purists by flossygomez	Apr 26th, 2004 04:49:40 PM
Comix are about comic book frames and graphic storytelling and once it is taken out of this context, it will no longer be the comic book you're all so drooly about. No movie can possibly be true to it's source...it must be it's own animal or it will die on the operating table. Let's hope that the spirit of the thing is distilled, because everything else has to change. Sorry folks, nature of the medium.
one more for the chorus by Homer Sexual	Apr 26th, 2004 05:23:51 PM
1. Yeah, I'll believe it when I'm buying my ticket, as others have said. 2. And I think Aronofsky is an excellent director. 3. But no way can a feature film possibly do justice to the graphic novel. 4. Some excellent casting ideas posted: Julianne Moore or Neve Campbell for SS, Buscemi for Rorshach, McLachlan or Cusack for NiteOwl, and best of all Liotta as Comedian. 5. Some ludicrous casting ideas posted as well (all suggestions for Manhattan. Mel Gibson? Mark Wahlberg??) 6. I have been reading comics for so long that I remember reading a JLA Mailbag with such suggestions as Ken Howard for Flash and Lynda Day George as Wonder Woman. Har.
Whats with Warner Brothers by Pjdonnelli	Apr 26th, 2004 07:22:51 PM
Before Spiderman , Xmen, Hulk, Dardevil, Blade and all the other faithfull, critically acclaimed and (most importantly to the studios) box office hits came out i could forgive Warner Brothers for making Batman crap because as far as they were concerned comic book adaptaitions weren't financially viable. And back then I could see why they would be reluctant to make a Superman movie (and if they did, why they would change his costume among other things) and also other less recognised comic books. But surley someone in charge at that piece of shit studio has said 'oh, wow, all these Marvel films are doing really well and the fans love them and they have barely changed a thing and even less recognised comic books like Leauge and Hellboy are being excepted. Lets get Superman and all the others out there and lets do what Marvel have done and get people who love and respect the source material to make them'. But no, after years of abuse they have decided to try and make a good Batman film (which may not be as good as the sum of its parts) but have decided to counteract it with fucking Catwoman. They still wont make Superman without completley ruining it and they've made John Constantine into an American when we all know he's a Scouser (like me). I don't often say this because i know it normally wouldn't be true but put me in charge of Warner Brothers and I could, without a doubt do a better job. Respect your audience or don't bother at all Wanker Brothers!
New web project from maker of Kill Christ Trailer by PassionPlayer	Apr 26th, 2004 07:24:36 PM
Check this shit out. A series of funny political films. http://www.liberalpropaganda.o rg
casting by brockp	Apr 26th, 2004 07:54:42 PM
Charlton Heston = Nite Owl 1 Tim Roth or Giovanni Ribisi - Rorscach Jeff Bridges - Dr Manhattan Ozymandius - Brad Pitt
(Unrelated) Filmrot.com has a bit of an interview where Christia by Darksider	Apr 27th, 2004 12:48:17 AM
Cool :)
TalkBack Posters = Little Bitches by AlabasterJones	Apr 27th, 2004 08:54:33 AM
seriously, if this doesn't geek you out what does? Does anything really honestly excite you? man what a bunch of cynical haters
Viggo is Snake by Revolutions	Apr 27th, 2004 05:42:08 PM
Viggo Mortessen for Solid Snake! maybe Goldberg as the raven guy,charlize theron as sniper wolf, malkovich as revolver ocelot!

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