Watchmen
This came in on 9/26/03:
Hayter Talks Watchmen David Hayter (a writer on X-Men) confirmed for fans at ManiaFest that he will make his feature-film directorial debut with a movie version of Alan Moore's classic Watchmen graphic novel, according to a report on CountingDown.com. "The cool thing about Watchmen is that it is a complete story, ... and it's really a murder mystery that has a great beginning, middle and end," Hayter said. "And for years, people have been saying, 'Oh, that's unfilmable. You'll never be able to translate that.' And I disagreed. This is the greatest movie I've ever seen. So I'm looking forward to doing that, something with such ... profundity." Hayter also discussed his ideas for costumes. "We've got Rorschach, who's basically in a trenchcoat and a fedora, but he's got that awesome mask," he said. "And it's going to be such a great visual that's still half-real and half-costume." As for Dr. Manhattan, a blue superhero who spends most of the story wearing nothing at all, Hayter said, "We've had a couple of actors in their 40s say, 'Yeah, I'd like to play Dr. Manhattan.' I'm like ... I don't know if I think we need to see you naked." Thanks to sci-fi.com for the heads up! This is wonderful....he isn't my first choice for director, but it means that the film is finally getting on its way! Do you guys think the New York ending will be cut or altered due to the recent events in New York? (Desperately avioding the use of a spoiler tag...) Does anyone have any feelings on casting? |
I have feelings. Not about casting, but about this project finally coming together: what a shame.
The only way to do this great book justice is to film it as a mini-series, on cable TV. If you know anything about writing a screenplay and how much time each page translates into screentime, to do this as a two-hour or so feature film, much of the meat of the various stories is going to be either given short shrift or excised completely. While this is true of all books adapted for film, in the case of The Watchmen with such a grand and epic story which has all been pre-visualized because of the medium, it's just a waste. Terry Gilliam was attached to this property for years, and he eventually passed on it because he didn't want to do exactly what they're going to have to do now: chop up and change the story. And as a first-time filmmaker's maiden project, I have no faith that this will work. After all these years, now it's going to somebody with zero experience? Gee, that sounds like a good idea. And this guy has no clout, so the Studio isn't going to give him jack or *****, with a miniscule budget. So far, this promises to be worse than the recent film adaptations of Moore's From Hell or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Ugh. Hopefully, like many times film projects in pre-production are mentioned at comic book conventions or on websites, this will never, ever come to be. Not like this. |
I dunno...I've been waiting for this project for a LONG time...you are right about the depth of the material.....but I have faith in the project (which fails me on an almost regular basis....but still...). I'm very glad to hear this.
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You mean one of the guys who gang contributed to the X-Men scripts and The Scorpion King directing for the first time gives you faith in the project????
Uhhhhh, yeah, sure. Do you know the phrase "whistling in the dark"? |
I have faith in the project because the story is so wonderful. I would rather have someone else direct (thats for sure!) but even so, I think that the story is so great...well...actually all of my hopes are based directly on my love and admiration for Mr. Moore's original tale....but thats still hope....sort of......
Anyway, it could be much worse off.....like having Paul W. S. Anderson write and direct ;) . |
Oh, yeah, I definitely see where you're cioming from: ANY movie version of The Watchmen, even a dreadful one, will be better than none at all!
No wait, I guess I don't see where you're coming from? |
Originally Posted by Holden Pike
The only way to do this great book justice is to film it as a mini-series, on cable TV. If you know anything about writing a screenplay and how much time each page translates into screentime, to do this as a two-hour or so feature film, much of the meat of the various stories is going to be either given short shrift or excised completely. While this is true of all books adapted for film, in the case of The Watchmen with such a grand and epic story which has all been pre-visualized because of the medium, it's just a waste.
Originally Posted by Holden Pike
Oh, yeah, I definitely see where you're cioming from: ANY movie version of The Watchmen, even a dreadful one, will be better than none at all!
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Well, if Tolkien had written in graphic novel form and the entire thing was basically storyboarded out, maybe you'd see what I'm talking about?
Also, maybe if you ever bothered to read Alan Moore's The Watchmen, you'd know what kind of story details I'm talking about? But, maybe not. And I guess as a fan, I'd rather see it done right or not done at all. Maybe you'd understand if instead of Peter Jackson they had announced Joel Schumacher was going to do the LOTR adaptation....as a two-hour movie...and he had Schwarzenegger in mind for Gandalf? But again, maybe not. What tangible harm could that do? |
Originally Posted by Holden Pike
Oh, yeah, I definitely see where you're cioming from: ANY movie version of The Watchmen, even a dreadful one, will be better than none at all!
No wait, I guess I don't see where you're coming from? I'm not saying it'll be good, but at least there is a chance. The chance of seeing a good version of Watchmen coming out of a 2 hour adaptation by a first-time director is greater than it is if there is no film at all, and, for a story as grand as Watchmen, that is a chance I'll gladly take. |
Originally Posted by Holden Pike
Well, if Tolkien had written in graphic novel form and the entire thing was basically storyboarded out, maybe you'd see what I'm talking about?
Also, maybe if you ever bothered to read Alan Moore's The Watchmen, you'd know what kind of story details I'm talking about? But, maybe not.
Originally Posted by Holden Pike
And I guess as a fan, I'd rather see it done right or not done at all. Maybe you'd understand if instead of Peter Jackson they had announced Joel Schumacher was going to do the LOTR adaptation....as a two-hour movie...and he had Schwarzenegger in mind for Gandalf?
But again, maybe not. What tangible harm could that do? Ironically, the best argument you could employ is one you haven't: a conversion like this could be a one-shot deal. If a film is made, and it's poor, they may never get around to a remake, effectively killing any chance you might've had in seeing it brought to life |
Originally Posted by Yoda
I didn't say I don't understand. Certainly I do.
Ironically, the best argument you could employ is one you haven't: a conversion like this could be a one-shot deal. If a film is made, and it's poor, they may never get around to a remake, effectively killing any chance you might've had in seeing it brought to life |
As a boy who grew up loving the Howard the Duck comic books, I have absolutely no hope that this will be at all good.
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Originally Posted by Holden Pike
As a boy who grew up loving the Howard the Duck comic books, I have absolutely no hope that this will be at all good.
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Ah, for the heck of it. That's not nearly enough for me, thank you very little.
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Originally Posted by Holden Pike
Ah, for the heck of it. That's not nearly enough for me, thank you very little.
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I have to say I am a bit skeptical about the treatment this will get. This is like the holy grail of comics, and there are just so many levels to the story. Then again, take a look at what P Jackson directed before LotR.....
The guy might come through, but Holden's point about him not getting the support he needs from the studio are something that will come into play almost for sure. I mean exactly how much exposition will this film need to go through to introdude all the characters, get people to actually care about them, and still be able to tell a solid and involving story, covering all the bases with this one, in just a few short hours..... I have to agree with the mini-series idea. Jackson came out smelling like roses to be sure, but he was given a massive budget and 10 hours theatre time (more with the dvds) to realize his project. I HOPE it comes out well, but I don't have much faith so far.... I am a MASSIVE A. Moore fan btw. and I really like From Hell, even though it was changed drastically. On it's own, it is a creepy, well acted piece with some great atmosphere... |
Sorry for the double post guys.....
but I wanted to post this link and I wanted it to be it's own message so more folks see it. Didn't want to just edit it into the end of my other post...
http://www.countingdown.com/movies/307856 All the latest gossip on Watchmen. |
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Originally Posted by Sedai
I pray this doesn't get turned into a summer action flick. What a travesty that would be. |
I'm still hoping this never comes to be. With Aronofsky or anybody else. Not as a feature film. The butchering of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a shame, but there's not a deep love and enormous respect for it that exists for The Watchmen.
Ugh. Let it rest in peace, or have HBO pony up Angels in America-type dough to do it right, untruncated, with somebody who loves the material at the helm. Otherwise, please don't do it at all. Please. |
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