Results tagged “Watchmen” from Modern Mythology

Yes, it may only be those of us who read the graphic novel that noticed or even cared that "Tales of the Black Freighter" -- the comic within the comic --  wasn't included as part of "Watchmen" the feature film.

No matter what you think of "Watchmen," the word around the net-o-sphere is that the animated adaptation of the Freighter story isn't bad (see this review at Robot 6).  The featurette above, courtesy of Empire, offers background on the creation of the animated project and its relation to the overall "Watchmen" universe.

Freighter features the vocal talents of Gerard Butler from "300" and will be released on DVD April 6.

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think.  Are you as interested in this as I am?  

Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig and Dwayne Johnson from Disney's "Race to Witch Mountain." (AP Photo/Disney, Ron Phillips)

Movies: 'Watchmen' is No. 2, `Last House' is at No. 3 and `Miss March' is No. 10.

By Derrik J. Lang
Associated Press

Disney's "Race to Witch Mountain" rushed to No.1 at the weekend box office, bypassing expectations with $25 million in ticket sales.

The PG-rated sci-fi flick starring Dwayne Johnson as a cab driver with a pair of alien teenagers along for the ride topped the R-rated superhero epic "Watchmen," which earned $18.1 million in its second week.

Mark Zoradi, president of Disney's motion-picture group, said analysts had predicted that "Race to Witch Mountain," director Andy Fickman's re-imagination of the 1975 live-action film "Escape to Witch Mountain," would fly away with $20 million or less. Now he expects this "Witch Mountain" to maintain a high orbit in theaters with kids on spring break.

"I think audiences this weekend were really drawn to the action adventure of `Race to Witch Mountain,"' said Zoradi. "There was also this element of parents over 30 who remembered the original and were drawn to this one, so I think that combination is what helped us exceed what folks in the industry thought this movie was going to do."

Ticket sales for "Watchmen" plummeted 67 percent from last weekend's $55.2 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. Jeff Goldstein with Warner Bros. said the studio anticipated the big dip for director Zack Snyder's comic book adaptation about a team of subversive superheroes.

"It's very common with higher profile, highly anticipated movies," said Goldstein.

Also opening this weekend in wide release was "The Last House on the Left," the Universal horror remake, which turned up at No. 3 with $14.7 million in ticket sales, and "Miss March," the Fox Atomic comedy in the No. 10 spot with $2.4 million. 20th Century Fox's thriller "Taken" remained at No. 4 with $6.7 million in its seventh weekend in theaters.

Factoring in 2009's higher admission prices, the weekend box office total was down 16 percent compared with last year, making it the first down weekend in six weeks.

BOX OFFICE TOP 10

1. "Race to Witch Mountain," $25 million.

2. "Watchmen," $18.1million.

3. "The Last House on the Left," $14.7 million.

4. "Taken," $6.7 million.

5. "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," $5.1 million.

6. "Slumdog Millionaire," $5 million.

7. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," $3.1 million.

8. "He's Just Not That Into You," $2.9 million.

9. "Coraline," $2.7 million.

10. "Miss March," $2.4 million.

The anxiety the headline may have caused you is justified but unnecessary... sorry.

This YouTube viral spoof featuring the opening of a "Watchmen" Saturday morning cartoon is hilarious and so spot on.  If you have NOT READ THE BOOK OR SEEN THE MOVIE then you may wanna come check this out later. If you are familiar with "Watchmen" and don't mind an inside joke or two, then check this out!

This is a joke... right?

By DERRIK J. LANG
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fans should plan to savor every visual morsel when "Watchmen" swoops into movie theaters Friday because the subversive superheroes of the landmark comic book series may never return to the big screen.

"There's no way I would be involved in a sequel or prequel," said director Zack Snyder, who turned the graphic novel "300" into a 2007 blockbuster.

"Will they make one? I have no idea how you would. The work is the work. This movie is about ideas. Anything else you would do, if you did a sequel to it, misses the point entirely of what 'Watchmen' is," he said.

It's unclear whether Warner Bros. would ever take a cue from Dr. Manhattan, the blue-hued superbeing played by Billy Crudup who smoothly proclaims in the comic and the movie that "nothing ever ends." Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. production, declined to be interviewed for this story.

"Contractually, we are obligated," Crudup said. "I will do it. I just don't know what it is we would do."

Unlike superheroes with superhistories like "Batman" or "Spider-Man," decades worth of "Watchmen" source material doesn't exist.

In the 1980s, illustrator Dave Gibbons and writer Alan Moore (who has said he doesn't want to be associated with a "Watchmen" film) crafted only 12 chapters of the comic book-turned-graphic novel.

The nearly three-hour R-rated movie is faithful to the original novel, leaving almost nothing on the cutting room floor except "Tales of the Black Freighter," a comic-within-the-comic woven throughout "Watchmen." It will be released March 24 on DVD as an animated short film along with "Under the Hood," the tell-all memoir from "Watchmen."

Beyond that, Snyder can't envision any cinematic additions to the mythos.

For those who cannot wait for our review next week of "Watchmen," Comic Book Resources has put their review up and it is very exact and full of SPOILERS.

Once again, If you are not game to hear about the film don't click this link to the story. I don't wanna hear: Robert, you didn't warn us this would have spoilers!

If you are not going to read about it at CBR, please check out our review next week by Ryan Riley.

Maybe the cool Rorschach image above will pacify us until then.

Say what you want to say about "300" but it looked incredible.

I have great respect for the amazing work of the visual effects team on "300" and their director Zack Snyder.  You've seen the "Watchmen" clips and there's no doubt it looks as brilliant as the adaptation of Frank Miller's Spartan epic.

Will Snyder's "Watchmen" be a great film overall?  We will see.

This video interview is courtesy of COLLIDER and Snyder raps about his next film SUCKER PUNCH and a handful of other flicks he's involved with -- GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE, HEAVY METAL and (I'm jealous as heck) Ray Bradbury's ILLUSTRATED MAN.

Yep... I think I'll be seeing this on opening day. And check out Yahoo for a full gallery of "Watchmen" images.

The studios on opposing sides of the "Watchmen" rights dispute have reportedly reached a settlement.

This is via The Hollywood Reporter...

Warner Bros. and Fox have resolved their dispute over "Watchmen," with the studios scheduled to present a settlement to Judge Gary Feess this morning and request that the case be dismissed.

The lede to the story is "Geeks can rejoice."

Sure, it's good news, but I really hope folks realize that if "comic geeks" were the only ones who wanted to see this flick it would not make enough to justify that $150 Million budget... and the payout to Fox... and the undisclosed amount of boxoffice grosses they are about to get... etc...

This is good news for ALL audiences of filmed entertainment. Once again, the story from Reporter is here.

Pssst! The Carpetbagger Blog at the New York Times says that undisclosed amount is about 8.5 Percent of the boxoffice grosses (estimated at "tens of Millions") and some compensation on any sequels and/or "Watchmen" spinoffs that may result. 

Still awaiting word of rival studios (Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox) reaching an agreement over the copyrights issue for "Watchmen." I will post that as soon as I hear. But the new ad during the Golden Globes last night (and also during one of the NFL playoff games) is one positive sign we'll see the film March 6.

The other positive sign, as reported in the Carpetbagger Blog at the New York Times, is the friendly interaction between studio chiefs Tom Rothman (Fox) and Alan Horn (Warner Bros.).

You've seen some of this imagery in the commercial above before I believe, but it still looks good enough to watch again.

While some studio "suits" may give Malin Akerman, AKA the Silk Spectre II, a hard time about speaking her mind in the middle of the "Watchmen" legal tussle (or negotiations as the case is now), I would just like to say I dig this actress for telling it like it is.

What do you think about this whole legal thing Malin? "s--- happens," she said to MTV. Check out the video and see the story via MTV Splashpage.

It looks like the rival studio parties are close to negotiating some form of settlement over the "Watchmen" rights issue. I may not address this whole deal in the same colorful way Akerman did, but I do agree with her other points. I'm not really concerned about how this works out, I just want it to work out.

As a fan of the source material I hope to see a "Watchmen" movie adaptation in a theater this March -- not next year, not after the next Harry Potter comes out this summer... MARCH.

And that costume Akerman wears in the movie has nothing to do with it.

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Moviegoers may get to watch the "Watchmen" after all.

Attorneys for rival studios fighting over the release of the superhero flick told a federal judge on Friday that they're having fruitful settlement talks.

Attorneys for 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. asked the judge to delay a hearing Friday so those discussions can continue over the weekend.

U.S. District Judge Gary Allen Feess agreed to continue the hearing but says a trial over whether to block the film's March release is still set for Jan. 20.

Lou Karasik, who is representing Fox, told Feess that the delay would be "very, very helpful" to settlement discussions he deemed "productive."

Friday's revelation surprised Feess, who noted that Warner Bros. had been seeking to move up the Jan. 20 trial to next week, citing the film's marketing campaign and its March 6 release date.

An injunction barring the film's release also jeopardizes the $150 million Warner Bros. has invested in the "Watchmen" movie, the studio's attorneys argued in court documents filed this week.

Fox sued in February to stop the release of "Watchmen," claiming Warner Bros. violated its interests by filming the tale. Feess agreed last month that Fox appears to have the right to distribute the film.

Since then, the two sides have made concessions and according to court documents, conducted settlement talks last weekend.

Fox claims it never relinquished movie rights it acquired in the late 1980s to "Watchmen," the popular graphic novel of the same name. Warner Bros. has argued Fox lacked the right to stop the movie's release.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan stars as The Comedian in a scene from the film, "Watchmen." (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Clay Enos)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An attorney for 20th Century Fox says the studio will press its case to delay the release of "Watchmen," but a rival studio says it plans to release the film as scheduled.

U.S. District Judge Gary Feess last week agreed with Fox that Warner Bros. had infringed its copyright by developing and shooting the superhero flick, casting some doubt on its March 6 release date.

Feess said Monday he plans to hold a trial Jan. 20 to decide remaining issues.

Fox claims it never fully relinquished story rights for the graphic novel from its deal made in the late 1980s, and sued Warner Bros. in February. Warner Bros. contended Fox isn't entitled to distribution.

Warner Bros. said in a statement released Monday afternoon that it won't move the movie's release date and still thinks it will win the case, either at trial or through an appeal.

This is not the best holiday news for "Watchmen" fans who expected an easy resolution to the copyright dispute between Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox...
 

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A federal judge has ruled that 20th Century Fox owns a copyright interest in "Watchmen," potentially jeopardizing the superhero movie's March U.S. release.

U.S. District Judge Gary Feess of Los Angeles disclosed the decision in a written order Wednesday, The New York Times and Variety reported.

"Watchmen," based on the popular graphic novel of the same name, was shot by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Fox sued to prevent its release and Feess had set a Jan. 20 trial, but reversed course in writing that Fox at least owns the right to distribute the film.

Fox claims it never fully relinquished its rights to the story from a deal made in the late 1980s. Warner spokesman Scott Rowe declined to comment on the latest ruling.

A story in the New York Times provides a few more details.

For those of you who haven't seen this Alberto Vargas-style depiction of the original Silk Spectre played by Carla Gugino in the film "Watchmen" then check it out. Gugino plays the first Spectre and mother of Malin Akerman's current Silk Spectre we posted about here.

You can click the picture here for a larger version of the artwork.

Gugino's likeness is used and the actress commented in Rick Marshall's accompanying story via Splashpage that "physically I'm more from that time anyways, so it was cool."

Very cool indeed.



 
 

Zack Snyder director of the "Watchmen" film tells SCI FI that he has the current cut of the film to two hours and thirty-five minutes. Snyder says he is also working on the animated "Tales of the Black Freighter" which is a graphic novel within the graphic novel story.

'Freighter' will be released as a separate DVD when the film comes out in March 2009 and then integrated into the main film making the "Watchmen" DVD about "Three hours and forty minutes," Snyder says.

With our without "The Black Freighter" is "Watchmen" a big enough story that it deserves to be as long as it needs to be when it hits theaters? What do you think? Please drop me a comment and/or take the poll above and let me know.

The first trailer set the mood and this one fills in some of the blanks.

For those unfamiliar with the graphic novel this new release provides a sense of premise and more of that stunning camera work from director Zack Snyder and crew. Check out a larger version and more at Yahoo! Movies.

Let me know what you think.

Watchmen Exclusive: Girls Kick Ass


This video has been the best of the behind the scenes "Watchmen" stuff so far. The character of the Silk Spectre is actually represented by two generations -- the "golden age" version played by Carla Gugino and the present day played by Malin Akerman. This video does double duty of offering some insight into the tone of the film due March 2009 (skipping any legal snafu) and gives viewers unfamiliar with the graphic novel a great intro to one of the characters.

There's some great fight scene stuff in this video too. Also, I hope the movie is going to be as cool as the recently released Silk Spectre poster below. Click for a larger image.

Spike TV's Scream Awards rewarded their picks of the best in science fiction, horror and comic books. Yep, they award comics. Congrats to the creators of one of my favorites (The one I don't shut up about) "Y: The Last Man."

But please check out this clip from the Awards show of a special extended trailer from the "Watchmen" film courtesy of Slashfilm.

There are some more visual clues in this clip that relate closely to the "Watchmen" graphic novel.

I wish I was there to check out the screening but the good news is that the Warner Bros. "Watchmen" film is living up to being as good as its trailer.

At least 25 minutes of it is.

I watch a lot of movies and if any film has a really good 25 minutes in it, that could make it more than adequate.

Reading the praise for the considerable visual talents of director Zack Snyder ("300") here at Collider only confirms what everyone who saw that impressive movie trailer observed... The kid has game.

Yeah, Snyder can bring the fireworks, but does he have a chance of making a story this complicated work as a three-hour film? (I can't imagine it any shorter than that.)

Frosty at Collider writes that the opening sequence is a storytelling marvel. And I don't want to ruin what you could get if you read the post here. There are also audio clips of Snyder discussing the film.

There is little new word on the spat between 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. over the distribution of "Watchmen." Attorneys on both sides were instructed to collect their materials and prepare to appear in court (edit: go to trial) in January.

Despite all of the legal issues there is confidence it will work out and perhaps that's with both sides getting something out of it.

(Edit: A link to a New York Times piece that navigates the twisty details of the "Watchmen" legal struggle.)


Image courtesy Warner Bros.

 

Dakota in "Coraline"

The very talented Dakota Fanning is doing the lead voice duties in the animated film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline." She said she had not read this work prior to doing this gig or many other graphic novels except one... "300" by Frank Miller for a summer reading assignment. She, uh, loved it.

"Watchmen" Sequel?

There's a poll over at Comic Book Resources asking readers whether they would want a sequel to the unreleased "Watchmen" movie or not. I like CBR and I know they're doing this poll in response to a fired up fan base. But shouldn't we see if the film is going to be any good before we obsess about this?

So far, 52 Percent of those polled chose "Absolutely Not!" ... Darn right.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" lead car revealed

Remember this video that I shot and embedded here a month back? The silvery Chevy Corvette Centennial concept car in the front is supposed to be the autobot "Sideswipe."

More info from Movie Chronicles in the rumors section.

On "Heroes" Noah meets his new partner

A preview of sixty or so seconds from next week's episode was put up by CBR. "Heroes" has taken a bit of a beating by some fans I know, but I think we should watch this little plot twist play out. It gives SYLAR something to do and puts NOAH front and center.