WatchmenComicMovie.com Forum

Now, I have nothing other than prior experience and intuition to guide me in this prediction, but I still think it's a very strong one...

I'm guessing that we're going to get our first real review/comments on the film somewhere around December 15. What makes me say this? Well, there's a little event going on down in Austin, Texas December 13-14 called "Butt-Numb-A-Thon."

In case you're not familiar, the annual event put on by Harry Knowles and Aint It Cool News is a 24 hour film marathon that frequently features high-profile directors bringing in their latest big projects (especially ones of the genre variety). In the past, they've been the first audiences to witness films such as Return of the King, 300, and other films. I'd bet piles of good money that Zack Snyder is planning on bringing Watchmen to show to the rabid geek audience of this years BNAT. Snyder brought 300 there early, and Watchmen stands to be the biggest possible exclusive the festival could offer. Anyone who's read up on, been to, or followed the history of BNAT can attest to how a move like this is too perfect and fitting to imagine not happening.

So... I'd wager that all this squid nonsense, as well as any other content related questions will be well on their way to being answered by mid December.

Then again, this is iffy given the ferociousness of WB's enforcement of the NDA's after the last screening. I hope not. That is pretty much standard procedure for any screening like that though.

I would guess this is far too high-profile (and certainly big budget) to risk putting it out to the geeks and having it bomb and blow any possibility to recoup with the mainstream. This movie makes cash off of our backs, no way they risk it without paying for the chance March 6th. No real good comes of this (save for clarification for the ending) but a lot of bad can.

Snyder seems confident enough about the film that he may very well want to show it to a total geek audience like that. He himself took 300 there, and it was just as early.

BNAT audiences are rarely that critical, even when it comes to a total geek property like Watchmen. They'd only want to hide it if they thought they'd made a shitty film, and I seriously don't think that's how Snyder and co. are thinking.

Now, WB might not want it shown bad enough, but far, far more shocking moves have been made at that event before.

Given that type of logic no film should ever be sent to reviewers early.

first i was not sure, but after reading that Return of the King was shown on BNAT....
could be... and i really hope that.

meh....well see i guess

::shrug::

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You did it, Zack. Thank you.

Ummm the big Butt festival has proven time and time again that it is the perfect place to do early screenings of tentpole movies. It has definitely got big movies with little fear of whether they'll get shitcanned by negative buzz. Harry for one is well known for loving films others hate.

I haven't checked the site, but has Harry done his usual cryptic clues report giving you a chance to guess the movies?

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This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face.

To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't dispensed with any cryptic clues yet. I'm sure that's coming very soon.

They let Phantom of the Opera screen at BNAT way early, and that wasn't the most flattering film.

I'd actually be surprised if they didn't screen it. This audience is practically guaranteed to spread overly hyperbolic praise for something like Watchmen, and aside from spoilers getting out, this could only serve to amp up interest in the film.

Snyder is very interested in and in tune with the geek audience, and seeing as how he already took 300 there just as early (since 300 was release around the same time as Watchmen) it seems obvious.

I'm having a hard time thinking of all the super-early screenings BNAT has had, but there have been lots of instances of filmmakers personally bringing high-profile films far in advance of their release.

Doubtful.

It wouldn't shock me at all, I mean 300 was there and Snyder I think by that point will be so anxious to get the movie out that even if this is it, he'll get some satisfaction, and hopefully so will we

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@RealSlimCAvery

I think it's a possibility. If they don't show the movie, maybe they'll just show part of it.

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"It would be a stronger world, a stronger loving world, to die in."

-John Cale

IF the PTB and Snyder are wrestling over the exact approach to how the ending is presented, then I can't imagine that they will release the whole shooting match including an unresolved final reel to a bunch of geeks.

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Ummmmm yeah, don't show the fan favourite ending to a room full of geeks. I mean it's not like it'll get support or anything.

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This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face.

So if they DO screen it then, and it has the one reported ending attached, will THAT convince you that there is no alternate ending?

Are you directing that at me, personally?


Squid or no squid, I'd be very disappointed in an ending which pins Veidt's ghastly plan on Jon Osterman.

For me, that is a very alternative ending indeed. One which I cannot consider ok, however they manage to mangle the message. That's not Watchmen.

So in answer to your question. Yes. Showing the same Portland test-screening version again would almost certainly mean that Snyder is going for a Jon/Adrian collaboration that would entail something resulting in Osterman getting the blame.

That ending would piss me off! I would feel as if I had wandered over a desert to a fabulous oasis only to find that I am chugging sand, when there was a perfectly working tap over the next ruddy dune.

That would make you very happy as you have been wrangling on about Snyder's closed-loop ending being the only one on offer. Fine. You "win". We lose.

That is, of course my opinion on the matter. It's not my position to tell Snyder what to do with the ending. I am surprised he even considered the ending flaunted so far. I don't get it, I'm afraid.

The threat has to be totally alien. Osterman is a little distant, but he does return to Earth after a change of heart.

But, heck! We still have the book...

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The last the world heard about Dr. Manhattan he was teleporting off the planet after figuring out he gave people cancer.

Agreed. I may still enjoy the rest of the film, but I will most likely feel that they fucked up the themes of the ending if they go this route.

Don't fix what isn't broken. That goes double when it came out of Alan Moore's brain. And it goes triple when your name is Zack Snyder and you're thinking of 'doing better' than Alan Moore.

Believing he gave people cancer. Let's get our facts straight shall we Nonfactor.

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This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face.

Absolutely.