Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Coming soon (not)
Fans of Alan Moore’s graphic novel Watchmen have been waiting for the movie version. And waiting. And waiting. According to the official website, the release date is 3/6/09. What’s taking so long?
Moore’s graphic novels have led to other successful movies: V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and From Hell. Seems obvious that Moore’s greatest work should at least have the potential of becoming a successful film adaptation.
According to this story at MTV.com, the production has had trouble — it “has already chewed up and spit out such esteemed directors as Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass.” Now, Zack Snyder, director of 300 (adapted from the Frank Miller graphic novel) and Dawn of the Dead, is at the helm.
Man, that MTV.com story is one long (and from what I can see, empty) article. I WANT MY WATCHMEN. Its message of the dangers of well-intentioned fascism is more important now than ever before; I wish we could see a release date before the ’08 elections.
Here’s the IMDB writeup on Watchmen. Recognize anyone on that cast? I don’t, except maybe Billy Crudup.
Here’s a short and sweet review, and here’s Watching the Detectives, a Watchmen wiki. Enjoy.
D.
You may be surprised how much traffic this post gets, Doug. There are a a lot of folks out there holding out for this movie. My own post on it gets hit constantly.
Here’s a link to the complete 1989 unused screenplay by Samm Hann
which isn’t half bad. Worth reading if only because the ending is a bit different to the originals’.
And this poster of a “dream cast” is a bit of fun.
Hi, microsoar. I found that screenplay, too, when I went googling. Didn’t know if it was any good or not — thanks for the tip.
That wouldn’t have been my dream cast, FWIW. I’ll have to think about who my picks would be.
Jackie Earle Haley was up for a supporting actor Oscar for “Little Children” earlier this year. He was also in “All the King’s Men” last year.(You may remember him better from his child-star days, including the original “Bad News Bears.” He was an odd-looking kid who grew up to be one seriously weird-looking dude.)
I read Watchmen back in the ’80s, but I have to admit I don’t remember it well. I’ll have to dig it out.
Of them all, Walter Kovacs is a difficult one to cast. A short, ugly redhead with a suitably threatening demeanor….. Rorschach is IMHO, the most interesting character of all. Damaged, driven, rightious and relentless. Moral but yet totally amoral.
I will now have this song in my head all day. Which isn’t a bad thing.
I wonder if the Husband knows about this movie? He’s all things comic book that is good. Or so he thinks anyways.
Lyvvie, he just has to know about Watchmen. Along with Frank Millers’ “Dark Knight Returns”, it’s recognised as a masterpiece.
I’m partial to Kurt Busiek/Stuart Immonen’s graphic novel “Secret Identity”. The finale – part 4, (it stands on its own actually) left me choked up. High praise indeed.
I’ve been meaning to read this title for years, but have been caught up in keeping up with more recent ones, instead. Thanks for the reminder – I’m moving this to the top of my list.
P.S.: What about the Doom Patrol movie?
Jim: I remember him now. Kind of a ferret-faced kid, IIRC.
microsoar: how about David Caruso? Or perhaps Steve Buscemi with a dye job? And thanks for the tip on “Secret Identity” — that does look good.
Lyvvie: you ought to read it, too. Everyone should. Good for the soul.
DN: Doom Patrol? not one I’m familiar with 🙂
He still tries to get me to read Maus and Sandman, and I keep thinking I will one day and then something else comes along.