Zack Snyder talks Watchmen

[E-Mack]

http://www.superherohype.com/news/300news.php?id=4610

Well at least we know the guy has passion for the source material.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I'm also glad that most of the Hayter script will be used.

 

[Zinzoningen]

Wow, I'm really starting to like this Snyder guy. Glad to see he's still looking for the perfect "Watchmen" script.

 

[Agentsands77]

I really don't think Snyder is the right choice, and as of now, I have no faith in the project. I had faith during the Hayter/Greengrass session of the project, but now I don't have a whole lot of faith in the guy behind DAWN OF THE DEAD, and no matter how cool 300 looks, it's hardly going to be a masterpiece of artistry.

 

[Movies205]

I really don't think Snyder is the right choice, and as of now, I have no faith in the project. I had faith during the Hayter/Greengrass session of the project, but now I don't have a whole lot of faith in the guy behind DAWN OF THE DEAD, and no matter how cool 300 looks, it's hardly going to be a masterpiece of artistry.

Would you like to know why your opinion holds absolutely no weight? Because your an ignorant fan, first off what was wrong with "Dawn of the Dead". It was a zombie film, it did exactly what it was suppose to do, it was an entertaining film that told a different and worthwhile story out of the original Dawn of the Dead. Now 300 looks like it's going kick ass, yet you dismiss it under some deuche bag comment like "it's hardly going to be a masterpiece of artistry" when you haven't even seen it. You sir are an ignorant fan and as such your opinion holds no weight.

 

[Lobster Charlie]

I don't think Zack Snyder gets it.

Watchmen is a somewhat complex narrative, but the core of the entire story is simple---humanity. Its about how heroes deal with their humanity. Dr. Manhattan loses all of his humanity when he becomes a superhero, and has to learn how to get it back. Ozymandias feels that he is the only one suited to save all of humanity, because he is the ulitmate man. Rorsharch went nuts after he saw the dark side of humanity after finding that kidnapper. His psychiatrist realizes his humanity after his sessions with Kovacs.

Those are just a few examples. In essence, its one of those "with great power comes great responsibility" stories, only we see how this power (or lack of) has affected several different characters. Since most of the characters here have no super powers, it begs the audience to answer the question: What can YOU do for the sake of humanity?

Zack, if you're reading, I suggest you do this: Keep the plot the same, but build on this essential theme. Its part crime story/thriller/character-driven drama.

Scenes that are essential to this film:

-Comedian at Moloch's bedside, confessing
-Kovacs and his pyschiatrist (with flashbacks)
-Dr. Manhattan on Mars
-Rorscharch's escape from prison
-Comedian in Vietnam

Its also very, very important that it remains a murder investigation at its core. The Comedian is a fascinating character, even relevant to our present time. He represents that cynicism that prevails in our society, that whole jaded, "who gives a f--k" mentality that fails to see the *humanity* in the world. The scene with him and Doc Manhattan in Vietnam summed up both of the those characters to a "t", in that it had shown how far they've both slipped from their human-ness.

Zack, it's really not all that hard. Don't be too fascinated by the pretty pictures of the graphic novel. Focus hard on the character themes and their arcs. Tell as much story as you possibly can, and don't worry about being too action-packed. The Watchmen was always a thinking-man's graphic novel, so lets keep it a thinking-man's film. And don't be afraid of a near-3 hour cut.

 

[I Am The Knight]

I wonder if they shouldn't just make it a two movie affair, although I'd prefer just one movie. If he pulls this one off, the fanboys will hand their souls to him.

 

[Flexo]

Would you like to know why your opinion holds absolutely no weight? Because your an ignorant fan, first off what was wrong with "Dawn of the Dead". It was a zombie film, it did exactly what it was suppose to do, it was an entertaining film that told a different and worthwhile story out of the original Dawn of the Dead. Now 300 looks like it's going kick ass, yet you dismiss it under some deuche bag comment like "it's hardly going to be a masterpiece of artistry" when you haven't even seen it. You sir are an ignorant fan and as such your opinion holds no weight.

Dawn of the Dead was nothing short of trash. As a horror film, it was a failure. Besides not being scary, it wasn't even entertaining. What was worthwhile about the remake? Nothing, as far as I can tell.

I have the same doubts. Snyder does not seem to be the right material for the job.

 

[ZeroCorpse]

I liked the Dawn of the Dead remake. I love the original too. Same with Night of the Living Dead- I like both versions.

Personally, I think Watchmen is VERY tough to do as a feature film. I would almost rather WB make a deal with HBO to release Watchmen as a limited-run series. They could make it as long as necessary, and wouldn't need to tone it down or meet box office standards.

And the subsequent release on DVD would sell like hotcakes.

 

[Cinemaman]

Not so good news about script

http://latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=27

 

[Agentsands77]

Would you like to know why your opinion holds absolutely no weight? Because your an ignorant fan, first off what was wrong with "Dawn of the Dead". It was a zombie film, it did exactly what it was suppose to do, it was an entertaining film that told a different and worthwhile story out of the original Dawn of the Dead.

The DAWN OF THE DEAD remake wasn't a good film. It was a passable horror installment at best, and definitely not the caliber of film that says, "Hey, I'm the perfect choice for WATCHMEN!" In fact, it indicates the exact opposite.

Now 300 looks like it's going kick ass, yet you dismiss it under some deuche bag comment like "it's hardly going to be a masterpiece of artistry" when you haven't even seen it.

Now, I haven't seen 300, but I know the comic pretty well. And there's no way that comic as it's being adapted will truly be an utter masterpiece from which I would say, "This guy should do WATCHMEN." It's probably going to be a blast to sit through with some great visuals, but WATCHMEN is so much more than that - it's a character drama with heavy thematic material and it requires an incredible amount of skill to transfer that from the page to the screen.

WATCHMEN is the holy grail of comic books, and if the crew behind it aren't some of the finest filmmakers around, it shouldn't be made. Zack Snyder has yet to prove himself as an master filmmaker, and thus, I don't think he should be given this project.

You sir are an ignorant fan and as such your opinion holds no weight.

Well that settles that, then.

 

[Agentsands77]

Not so good news about script

http://latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=27

Yeah. I read the Alex Tse script... not exactly inspiring. In fact, it was frustrating to read because of how much it missed the boat.

 

[Cinemaman]

As I can understand Snyder isn't going to use some unnecessary scenes from Tse's script and that is great!

 

[Agentsands77]

As I can understand Snyder isn't going to use some unnecessary scenes from Tse's script and that is great!

I'll give Snyder credit for being unhappy with Tse's script, but I'm still extremely dubious about his suitability for a project on the level and artistry of WATCHMEN.

 

[Nightwing 52]

There are some great stories that are better served told in one medium. And are tarnished and lose there greatness if transcended. Watchmen may be one of them. This could either be really good, or really bad.

 

[Movies205]

The DAWN OF THE DEAD remake wasn't a good film. It was a passable horror installment at best, and definitely not the caliber of film that says, "Hey, I'm the perfect choice for WATCHMEN!" In fact, it indicates the exact opposite.


Now, I haven't seen 300, but I know the comic pretty well. And there's no way that comic as it's being adapted will truly be an utter masterpiece from which I would say, "This guy should do WATCHMEN." It's probably going to be a blast to sit through with some great visuals, but WATCHMEN is so much more than that - it's a character drama with heavy thematic material and it requires an incredible amount of skill to transfer that from the page to the screen.

WATCHMEN is the holy grail of comic books, and if the crew behind it aren't some of the finest filmmakers around, it shouldn't be made. Zackri Snyder has yet to prove himself as an master filmmaker, and thus, I don't think he should be given this project.


Well that settles that, then.

There, that is a good post I disagree with the last part though, Dawn of the Dead I don't think is a masterpeice, I liked it the first time I saw it but the second time I thought it was boring. But it wasn't something that really could show off what he might be capable of, who knows? All artists have some inner potential and it isn't till the right project comes along that they really show it so I'm just saying give it a chance.

 

[Movies205]

There are some great stories that are better served told in one medium. And are tarnished and lose there greatness if transcended. Watchmen may be one of them. This could either be really good, or really bad.

All stories can be told in any medium but here's the secret, recreation is sometimes impossible when changing mediums and in all honestly most of the time is. When you make something exactly the same as it was already told, not only is it going be stale but it's also an insult to the original work. You need to find the heart of the story, find the truth and theme it's trying to convey, then as an artist find that within yourself, and then tell that story making changes that keep the story fresh while not betraying it. Hey that's my two cents at least...

 

[Cinemaman]

Well, I love vissual style of 30, but I aslo hope story telling will be good.

If 30 is good movie, I will trust in Snyder.

 

[The Punisher]

There are some great stories that are better served told in one medium. And are tarnished and lose there greatness if transcended. Watchmen may be one of them. This could either be really good, or really bad.

I agree with that sentiment. I also can't wait to see Dr. Manhattan on the screen.

 

[Cinemaman]

I agree with that sentiment. I also can't wait to see Dr. Manhattan on the screen.

Yeah, that would be unbelieveble!!!

 

[Agentsands77]

But it wasn't something that really could show off what he might be capable of, who knows?

Of course it can show what he's capable of. He was in charge of that film. If he had taken it and done as good a job with it as was possible, I would have no qualms. But it was a half-assed movie, IMO.

All artists have some inner potential and it isn't till the right project comes along that they really show it so I'm just saying give it a chance.

I'm not willing to have blind faith in some choice that hasn't proven themselves. Maybe I'll be surprised, but WATCHMEN is not a work where *any* risk like that should be taken. Whatever director is given WATCHMEN should have turned out some great, acclaimed work beforehand that proves what they can do. Snyder hasn't.

 

[Movies205]

Of course it can show what he's capable of. He was in charge of that film. If he had taken it and done as good a job with it as was possible, I would have no qualms. But it was a half-assed movie, IMO.


I'm not willing to have blind faith in some choice that hasn't proven themselves. Maybe I'll be surprised, but WATCHMEN is not a work where *any* risk like that should be taken. Whatever director is given WATCHMEN should have turned out some great, acclaimed work beforehand that proves what they can do. Snyder hasn't.

Well I'd agree if you were in charge of choosing who gets the project, but we're not. As for Dawn of the Dead, perhaps but I the studio got exactly what they wanted with Dawn of the Dead which was a fun movie that turned out to be a real money maker if I recall, I don't know I'm holding off judgement because I wasn't that thrilled with Greengrass.

 

[Lobster Charlie]

Why do people think this is so hard to do on film? It's more or less like a "Magnolia" style film, only with heroes. ONE of which is an actual superhero.

An ensemble piece with a huge cast of characters, all of which have clearly defined character arcs *in the comics*. The comic book is a complex narrative, but the movie doesn't necessarily need to be. You can hammer out the gist of this story in 3 hours.

Sure, a mini-series would serve it better, and some serious justice could be done to keeping it faithful, but they've decided on film. Just stick to the central theme--humanity, and how people with power deal with it.

 

[Movies205]

Why do people think this is so hard to do on film? It's more or less like a "Magnolia" style film, only with heroes. ONE of which is an actual superhero.

An ensemble piece with a huge cast of characters, all of which have clearly defined character arcs *in the comics*. The comic book is a complex narrative, but the movie doesn't necessarily need to be. You can hammer out the gist of this story in 3 hours.

Sure, a mini-series would serve it better, and some serious justice could be done to keeping it faithful, but they've decided on film. Just stick to the central theme--humanity, and how people with power deal with it.

Watchmen is a great comic, that's really multilayer and has a lot of subtlies, and people want to get all of that in there, I think if a writer were to tackle this, what he'd have to do is craft his own "Watchmen" story based off the Watchmen book, and I'm not talking LXG, Guys, I'm talking more of less a Batman Begins approach in some respects, which is something that is very faithful to the source material but branches out into it's own piece of art. I think to do a recreation, is essentially would be what the Psycho Remake was which is a souless husk.

 

[Agentsands77]

Well I'd agree if you were in charge of choosing who gets the project, but we're not.

So what? I still have the right to complain about what they're doing if I think it's a poor choice. I think choosing an unproven guy like Zack Snyder is a terrible decision - they should be approaching the creme of the crop as far as directors are concerned, not somebody who did a zombie flick.

As for Dawn of the Dead, perhaps but I the studio got exactly what they wanted with Dawn of the Dead which was a fun movie that turned out to be a real money maker if I recall, I don't know I'm holding off judgement because I wasn't that thrilled with Greengrass.

I was ecstatic about Greengrass, and seeing UNITED 93 (which was a masterpiece) only made me want to see his WATCHMEN even more.