October 05, 2006

Zack Snyder talks 'Watchmen'

(Posted In Action Cult Interviews Random Geek Talk Rumors Sci-Fi / Fantasy )

Snyder.jpgSomehow, over the course of his stay during TIFF, Maya managed to erase all my bookmarks - twice. And so here I am linking and bookmarking when lo and behold I see Empire has a short interview with one Zack Snyder, director of Dawn of the Dead and 300, which we linked to the trailer for earlier today. And this interview is about his next project, Watchmen, which some of our readers were commenting on in the comments section to the 300 trailer post. So read on you curious lot you...

“We’re getting ready to turn a script that we like into this studio,” says Snyder. “They’re pretty excited about it…I think the script that Alex (Tse) has done for us is the closest to the graphic novel it’s been [since development started], for better or for worse. I feel like Alex has done an awesome job. It’s keeping all the things that are cool about the comic”. And despite widespread assumptions, Snyder isn’t planning to update it from its Cold War setting to the present day, despite both eras sharing a political unrest.

“1985’s a problem for people,” he continues. “The Cold War’s a problem for people. But these are things I’ve been trying to [tell people] would be cool. I like that Richard Nixon is the president in it. I think that’s important. Those kinds of things tell you exactly what kind of movie this is – it’s not Fantastic Four, you know”.

Though Snyder’s adopted a heavily stylised, uber-true to the comic look for 300, he doesn’t plan to use any kind of similar blue screen technique for Watchmen. “There are places like Mars and Antarctica [which will need to be blue screen] and then there are certain places where you need to feel the reality…If you look at Sin City, a blue screen city, that’s kind of wrong for Watchmen…There are so many easter eggs in the frames (of the comic) so you want that level of detail in the movie itself. Even though it’s going to be harder to do…I did Dawn of the Dead and now I’ve done 300 and I feel like it’s a combination of the two. I feel like I know how to do it”.

Finally, though the script is almost ready, Snyder insists it’s too early for casting, despite numerous internet speculation (Paddy Considine for Rorschach! – sorry, it’s a habit). “I honestly don’t have anyone at all yet. But there are a lot of people interested. No-one’s seen the script, although I know there are people I could sign up without one”. Adds his producer, and wife, Deborah Snyder: “We’ve been getting a lot of calls since Comic Con…all the people who have clients who are fans of the Watchmen are like ‘Hey, just remember we’re here’".

» Posted by Mack at October 5, 2006 11:12 PM
Digg This / Add To del.icio.us

Reader Comments

I still don't see the point in making a film of Watchmen.

» Posted by robix at October 5, 2006 11:45 PM

1) Subjective, I know, but I'm not a fan of the flacid 'Dawn of the Dead' remake as it ditches the social commentary and critique of Romero's original for bloated action set pieces, sound design, and tiring (and pointless) fun house scares.



2) The '300' preview looks like 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' exploded all over 'Gladiator' and left us, somehow, in an ancient Greek 'Tales of Riddick'.



3) Screenwriter Alex Tse wrote the horribly mediocre Spike Lee mess, 'Sucker Free City'. And you should know, it was supposed to be an on-going cutting edge Showtime cable TV series, designed to be a competitor to 'The Wire' and its ilk. (Dumped as one off made for TV movie. Good riddance.)



Well, three strikes and you're out!!



Hollywood, please leave Alan Moore's works alone; somethings should just be enjoyed read.

» Posted by Nicholas at October 6, 2006 03:28 AM

Amen, Nicholas!

» Posted by DarkmanPoe at October 6, 2006 09:49 AM

Please dont ever make this film. It's unnecessary...

» Posted by fiskofury at October 6, 2006 10:47 AM

I am a huge fan of Alan Moore and, personally, i'd like to see Watchmen turned into an HBO miniseries where the story, characters, and events have room to breathe. Give it to David Milch or Sam Mendes. As far as I can tell, the biggest problems with Alan Moore film adaptations are the ridiculous shortcuts various screenwriters / directors have taken in squeezing down epic storylines into nice, neat 90 minute experiences. It just doesn't work. Contrary to popular opinion, I thought V For Vendetta was neutered.

» Posted by weezie at October 6, 2006 12:07 PM

after seeing V for Vendetta, i'm giving hollywood a benefit of the doubt.

but i do like weezie's idea. it's either a TV mini-series, or a multi-part movie. there's no way they can squeeze the Watchmen story in to a 2, or even 3, hour-long film.

» Posted by khy at October 7, 2006 12:24 AM

I managed to see an early cut of 300 and I can easily tell you that Snyder has what it takes to do justice to 'Watchmen.'

» Posted by Sirand at October 7, 2006 06:51 PM

1) Subjective, I know, but I am a fan of the awesome 'Dawn of the Dead' remake as it ditches the boring social commentary and critique of Romero's original for heart pumping action set pieces, brilliant sound design, and flashy (not pointless) freak show scares.

2) The '300' preview looks like what 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' should have been. 'Gladiator' look out, and Riddick only wishes it could be sooo good!


3) Screenwriter Alex Tse is a great writer teamed up with a horrible director, plopping out a Spike Lee mess, 'Sucker Free City'. And you should know, it was supposed to be an on-going cutting edge Showtime cable TV series, designed to be a competitor to 'The Wire' and its ilk. (Dumped as one off made for TV movie. Good riddance Spike Lee please give us more Alex Tse.)


Well, 3 home runs and your on your way to a great future!!!


Hollywood, please do more of Alan Moore's works; somethings should just be mass produced and slapped on the BIG screen!!!


» Posted by Farrell Kurlish at October 8, 2006 11:01 PM

yagniub odnmbie iyrbk vrqzx ftlr aenmphx echalbtzo

» Posted by pqktdn hqucpdizr at January 17, 2007 07:05 AM

Post Your Comments

Remember Me?   

(You may use HTML tags for style.)

  

Buy DVDs At The Twitch Store

Our Latest Reviews

Archives

Our Latest Interviews

Archives

Our Latest Entries

Stuff We Like

Shop at our affiliated sites and support Twitch while feeding your pop-culture addiction.

Find your favorites


eThaiCD