–Written by Jeff Jensen
While comic book aficionados wonder if Warner Bros. will release its controversial superhero flick Watchmen as scheduled next March, one famous fan of the groundbreaking graphic novel says he’s seen Zack Snyder’s $100 million opus, and judging from his reaction, it appears all the fuss the film has stirred up is worth it.
Clerks helmer Kevin Smith (pictured) — who apparently was invited to see the film at Snyder’s invitation shortly after Comic-Con last month — has posted an unabashed rave for Watchmen over at MySpace: “I saw Watchmen. It’s f—ing astounding. The Non-Disclosure Agreement I signed prevents me from saying much, but I can spout the following with complete joygasmic enthusiasm: Snyder and Co. have pulled it off. Remember that feeling of watching Sin City on the big screen and being blown away by what a faithful translation of the source material it was, in terms of both content and visuals? Triple that, and you’ll come close to watching Watchmen.”
Of course, depending on how you felt about Sin City, Smith’s assessment may or may not strike you as impressive. So EW.com asked Smith — currently prepping his R-rated lewd laugher Zack and Miri Make A Porno for a Halloween premiere — to expand just a smidge: “My God, the flick is amazing.” Okay. And? “Anything more and I start getting phone calls.” Fair enough.
Smith’s gush might be encouraging for those who’ve long doubted that even a good film could be distilled out of Watchmen’s dense, complex story, let alone one that’s “f—ing astounding.” But there is still reason to worry: as EW reported in July, Snyder is currently endeavoring to trim a nearly three-hour version of Watchmen (which is believed to be the iteration Smith saw) down to two hours and 25 minutes, the studio’s desired running time, even though Snyder’s preference is that the movie be released as long as possible.
In the wake of Twentieth Century Fox’s lawsuit against Warner Bros. over Watchmen’s distribution rights — a complaint that seems to be valid, based on available court documents — some fans fret that Snyder might be asked to cut even more to improve its chances at being profitable. The angsty logic, expressed on a different geek hub message boards, goes like this: if Warner Bros. has to settle with Fox, or is forced to share revenue with Fox, the $100 million movie becomes even more expensive for Warner Bros. Sure, Watchmen might be great at 145 minutes, but if it’s good enough at a shorter length, which could generate an extra showing per screen, per day, that’s more money for the studio. (We tried to run that bit of thinking past Snyder himself, but he declined to comment.)
As Watchmengate — perhaps the priciest whoopsie! in Hollywood history — continues to obsess fans and bloggers, there’s been much speculation about how much money might be at stake here. The Hot Blog’s David Poland at moviecitynews.com theorizes that Warner Bros. might have to fork over $25 million to settle with Fox. Then again, Fox might get even more if it becomes a profit participant in the film, provided the movie does blockbuster business, and especially if Fox gets dealt in on after-theatrical revenues like DVDs. Indeed, Warner sources indicated to EW last month that the property’s above-average potential as an ancillary media cash cow was a big reason why Warner Bros. greenlit the picture. Already, the studio could milk Watchmen for at least three different DVDs: the already-announced The Black Freighter companion disc, an animated film based on the graphic novel’s comic-within-a-comic; the theatrical version of the film; and possibly a separate director’s cut that restores Snyder’s three-hour vision and integrates the Black Freighter story into Snyder’s narrative, a kind of “absolute edition” of Watchmen: the movie the director is very keen on making available to fans.
Regardless, even Kevin Smith believes that no matter how the Warner Bros./Fox flap resolves itself, fans will be able to see Watchmen on March 6, 2009. “Nah,” Smith tells EW.com. “There’s no way that situation doesn’t get ironed out.”
In the wake of Twentieth Century Fox’s lawsuit against Warner Bros. over Watchmen’s distribution rights — a complaint that seems to be valid, based on available court documents — some fans fret that Snyder might be asked to cut even more to improve its chances at being profitable. The angsty logic, expressed on a different geek hub message boards, goes like this: if Warner Bros. has to settle with Fox, or is forced to share revenue with Fox, the $100 million movie becomes even more expensive for Warner Bros. Sure, Watchmen might be great at 145 minutes, but if it’s good enough at a shorter length, which could generate an extra showing per screen, per day, that’s more money for the studio. (We tried to run that bit of thinking past Snyder himself, but he declined to comment.)
As Watchmengate — perhaps the priciest whoopsie! in Hollywood history — continues to obsess fans and bloggers, there’s been much speculation about how much money might be at stake here. The Hot Blog’s David Poland at moviecitynews.com theorizes that Warner Bros. might have to fork over $25 million to settle with Fox. Then again, Fox might get even more if it becomes a profit participant in the film, provided the movie does blockbuster business, and especially if Fox gets dealt in on after-theatrical revenues like DVDs. Indeed, Warner sources indicated to EW last month that the property’s above-average potential as an ancillary media cash cow was a big reason why Warner Bros. greenlit the picture. Already, the studio could milk Watchmen for at least three different DVDs: the already-announced The Black Freighter companion disc, an animated film based on the graphic novel’s comic-within-a-comic; the theatrical version of the film; and possibly a separate director’s cut that restores Snyder’s three-hour vision and integrates the Black Freighter story into Snyder’s narrative, a kind of “absolute edition” of Watchmen: the movie the director is very keen on making available to fans.
Regardless, even Kevin Smith believes that no matter how the Warner Bros./Fox flap resolves itself, fans will be able to see Watchmen on March 6, 2009. “Nah,” Smith tells EW.com. “There’s no way that situation doesn’t get ironed out.”
Comments (1-30) of 91 Add your comment
… Right now I’m more concerned with the other “…Man”. The Middleman! Monday nights at 10PM on ABC Family. Watch it! You’ll love it!
Watchmen does look visually amazing but I have integrity but for me to go see a movie that I know is biased in the way it was written is enough for me to NOT go see it. Most of you are comic book drones and will go see does about any crap Hollywood puts out so your probably shaking your head at me right now.
The problem I have with this movie is the fact that it takes a well known President, Richard Nixon, and turns him into a dictator.
this is going to be the greatest superhero film of all time…nuff said
Xinunus–I would like to send you a copy of Watchmen, just so you can better argue your provocative thesis. May I do this for you? Email me your mailing address (if you feel comfortable doing so) at: JeffJensenEW@aol.com
xinunus, you must not see many movies, provoctively portraying presidents happens quite a bit. You should listen to Jeff Jensen and read the actual graphic novel.
Jeff, I’ll take a copy!
Ive started reading watchmen for the third time in anticipation of this film its going to be great. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15008871@N00/
Xinunus, where did you get the information that Nixon is portrayed as a dictator? He’s barely in the story. Not only that, he is portrayed objectively. There is no real criticism of him.
Smith is a mediocre director and a barely passable comics writer but a genuine fanboy, so I trust his evaluation of the movie.
Though I’m sure that WB will eventually release every possible permutation of the movie to wring every last dollar out of our pockets, so no worries!
Why do studios insist on chopping up adaptations thinking that fans can’t handle a 3 hour movie? Watchmen is complicated, layered, and wonderful. A longer cut might diminish some initial returns, but a better cut means better reviews, more longevity at the theater, and higher DVD sales. WB has made the same mistake with the Harry Potter movies. They do a phenomenal job with the art direction, effects, etc., but the films always feel rushed and choppy, and they cut out some of the books’ best moments. I’m still sad about how they mangled the ending of Prisoner of Azkaban. Please don’t let Moore’s opus suffer a similar fate. Let it be. Let the movie unfold slowly and build deliciously the way the graphic novel does. It’s too important a work to mishandle. At the very least, release Snyder’s director’s cut on DVD. The version with The Black Freighter worked back in would be phenomenal.
Studios have little faith in the masses with good reason. Individuals may be smart, but people (groups/mobs) generally aren’t and will follow a pack mentality.
I wonder if the rights to the 60s TV show Batman will be resolved in the settlement? Fox produced the series, but hasn’t released it on DVD, apparently because Warners wants a cut of the pie. Now, Adam West likely does not equal Watchmen, but it’s an intriguing thought.
As to the director’s cut, just do what Peter Jackson did. Release one for the masses and put together an ultimate cut for the fanboys (who are going to buy the DVD whether they see it in the theater or not).
I think richard nixon would be thrilled that, at least in fantasy, his dream of being a dictator came true.
what an absurd reason to not see a movie. stay home and work on your “enemies list”.
I trust Kevin Smith. He was one of the earliest reviewers of The Dark Knight and he was dead on with how great that was, too. He knows what comic fans like
Hopefully we’ll get the full three hour version on DVD….
@xinunus
Man, you’re so WRONG…I wonder what comic did you read, ’cause it wasn’t Watchmen I guess…
I don’t get why they want to cut the length down. Fans (the main audience, the people who will go see the film more than anyone) want the three hour version. No one is asking for a 2 and a half hour version. Who are they cutting it down for?
If Watchmen is as faithful as Sin City was to it’s source material like Smith says, combined with Snyder’s visuals, I’m sold. Definitely concerned about all of the material the studio is making Snyder cut, though. It may be a bit selfish, but I honestly don’t care about large box-office numbers for this movie. The last thing I’d want to see is the studio push for a prequel or sequel if this movie were to be a big hit.
Jeff, thanks so much for continuing to update us regarding Watchmen. It’s good to hear that Kevin Smith loves the movie – that’s a great endorsement, and I trust his judgement in this. And I take your point in your previous article – it does seem that Fox made attempts to point out the issue regarding the rights before now. Thanks for your insight. Fox still isn’t on my Xmas card list, for a wide variety of reasons, but at least it sounds like the movie will still get released.
The reason they want to trim down the running time is not about the audience but about the numbers of screenings that can be squeezed into a day. Trimming out a half hour can mean an extra screening… in the movie business inventory = # seats X # screenings. Longer movies have smaller inventories…
He also raved about Die Hard 4 , which was beyond terrible.
Android Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM EST
The reason they want to trim down the running time is not about the audience but about the numbers of screenings that can be squeezed into a day. Trimming out a half hour can mean an extra screening… in the movie business inventory = # seats X # screenings. Longer movies have smaller inventories…
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Yeah, that’s why “Titanic” didn’t make any money. It was 3 hours and 14 minutes. At over two and a half hours, “Dark Night” is struggling as well. Hope they can break even.
for every theater multiplex that runs the shorter version on its screens, they should be required to reserve one theater for the longer version. It’d be a simultaneous release of the regular cut and director’s cut. I can’t be the first person to suggest this. If I am, I want my 1% of the gross revenue.
“for every theater multiplex that runs the shorter version on its screens, they should be required to reserve one theater for the longer version. It’d be a simultaneous release of the regular cut and director’s cut. I can’t be the first person to suggest this.”
Exactly my thought upon reading this. Every major city should have at least one theater running the three hour version. If I can sit through the underwhelming Dark Knight, I can stay in the theater for another half hour to see something good.
Just go watch the trailer for this movie… that was enough for me to sit down for 3 hours and enjoy it. It looks effing amazing.
who is this kevin smith guy? is he supposed to be relevant or something?
I don’t need Smith to sell it too me. what i saw in the trailer is good enough to sell to me. woot!
To be fair to Xinunus, even though Nixon isn’t portrayed as a dictator, the reason he remains in office into the 1980s is in part because he had Woodward and Bernstein killed.
Can we please just take a year off from superhero movies? And that request is coming from someone who used to collect comics as a kid.
Didn’t Kevin Smith think Daredevil the movie was astounding? An astounding piece of trash in all measures.
What I’d like to know, is how does a multi-billion dollar corporation not work out the contracts and rights before making the movie. I’ll never understand these people.