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Watchmen Screenwriter Asks Fans To See Watchmen Again

Posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta

watchmen glass

Screenwriter David Hayter has been working on a big screen adaptation of Watchmen for almost a decade, which means he’s invested not only a lot of time on the project, but also a lot of energy. And like a lot of people in Hollywood, the fear of a one weekend payoff is scary. Hayter has written a letter to fans on HardcoreNerdity, where he asks for anyone who liked the film to return to the theater to see it again.

“If the film made you think. Or argue with your friends. If it inspired a debate about the nature of man, or vigilante justice, or the horror of Nixon abolishing term limits. If you laughed at Bowie hanging with Adrian at Studio 54, or the Silhouette kissing that nurse. Please go see the movie again next weekend. You have to understand, everyone is watching to see how the film will do in its second week. If you care about movies that have a brain, or balls, (and this film’s got both, literally), or true adaptations — And if you’re thinking of seeing it again anyway, please go back this weekend, Friday or Saturday night. Demonstrate the power of the fans, because it’ll help let the people who pay for these movies know what we’d like to see. Because if it drops off the radar after the first weekend, they will never allow a film like this to be made again.”

You can read Hayter’s full letter on HardcoreNerdity.

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  • freemachine
    I totally understand his concerns about the success of this film, but groveling will never get you anywhere.

    If the studio want's to boost the take on the film they'll have to do it the Peter Jackson way: release the theatrical version on DVD, then wait a few months and release the special directors edition box set with all kinds of goodies. History has shown that many fans will purchase both.
  • This is just pathetic. If it's good, I'll probably see it twice. I saw Dark Knight twice, I saw Iron Man twice. But him practically begging the fans to go see it again actually makes me want to not see it twice.
  • MichelCapricorn
    I completely agree. The film should succeed or fail on its own merits, not because of a cause. If audiences aren't dying to see it again, then too bad. The ones who liked it will probably guarantee it a cult following.
  • Which is what they're doing. In... june or July we get the Theatrical/Directors cut edition... then in the fall we get the Directors cut edition with Tales of the Black Freighter cut into it.
  • Solid Snake has asked... so I shall do. I can't say no to Solid Snake.
  • psbp
    Has the screenwriter really worked that hard on this movie which takes the majority of it's scenes, dialogue, and sets from the graphic novel.
  • As someone who has adapted a book to screenplay and has both read the book and seen the film, I have to say yes. It is true that almost everything in movie is straight from the book, but it is the crafting of what stays in and what goes out that makes a good adaptation.,,not to mention that he came up with a better ending than Alan Moore did. Adaptation is a very real skill that this guys has in spades.
  • Rom
    Yeah, what Mikey37 said.

    I have to listen to Snake. It just feels so wrong to let him down.
  • We can't let him down. God I need to buy MGS4 again. I also need to buy the MGS iPhone game... okay maybe not.
  • I guess now I'm kinda glad I waited to see the movie...
  • freemachine
    Are they really going forward with a theatrical release of the director's cut in summer? I doubt it for this reason. The current cut is nearly 3 hours running time. A worthy directors cut would certainly add 30 to 40 more minutes to fully complete the intended story. Theaters aren't too keen on films of that length because they can't squeeze in many showings per day, which means less of a profit. If interest in this movie drops any further between this weekend and next, you would surely not see a recut released in the theaters.
  • I think I've heard that the Directors cut is supposed to add about an hour of footage... So... yeah It's hard to see a normal theater rolling with that. I mean I'm sure there are some markets that will go with that but... not in most.
  • Kangaroo Be Stoned
    I believe the Director's Cut is 3 hours and 10 minutes long. That was reported on this site.
  • John
    I'll be there again. Probably a third time too. Loved the film. I really don't get why some wouldn't. Who cares if the ending is different. If you want the comic then go read the comic. This is something different and I think it still succeeds. The comic and the film are both great.
  • I think you misunderstand. He's not groveling, he's ASKING you to see it again because this film largely could dictate the way big exec's see these kinds of films in the future, and (in regards to the next big project) they might ask "will it be successful?" they'll remember Watchmen, then look down and say "no."
  • Pinball ball
    "nothing ever ends"

    just because a serious superhero film failed doesn't mean they all will. For crying out loud, have people forgotten The Dark Knight? Isn't that a huge incentive to do an intelligent, thought provoking and professionally made blockbuster with a strong director?

    The difference between The Dark Knight and Watchmen as a film adaptation was that The Dark Knight had better creative choices. I'm convinced a better Watchmen film could have been made, even by Snyder, had he put a little more critical eye towards his own work, regardless of all the stuff that was cut out
  • freemachine
    @ theRedPress

    Not groveling, huh?

    "Please go see the movie again next weekend...please go back this weekend, Friday or Saturday night."

    Also, his argument isn't really coherent or persuasive:

    "If it inspired a debate about...the horror of Nixon abolishing term limits."

    WTF is this guy talking about? It's a friggin' graphic novel, not some commission dealing with human rights violations in Darfur. Please...

    If this is the guy who was responsible for the screenplay, which according to fans went over the heads of those people who didn't like the movie, then he's not worth his salt. Writers should be able to reach their audience, but given his raving statements I doubt he ever will.
  • Alex
    If they really want people to see the movie twice, then send out some discount ticket coupons.
  • Have no fear of the "Mission Failed" memo Mr. Hayter.
    Gotta see it again, maybe this time in IMax.
    :D
  • No offense to Mr. Hayter, but we showed that movies with brains and balls will do well already - just look at TDK last year. If anything, that movie may be the reason as to why WB felt so confident in Watchmen.

    I already spent $14 on this in IMAX. I did my part.
  • Justin
    Watchmen can do 40m this weekend, and I have a feeling it might, if everyone has done what I've done (tell everyone you know that the movie rules).

    Plus, what's coming out this weekend anyway? Race to Fail Mountain? I'm seeing it again, but not because Solid Snake said so.
  • Merlin Missy
    I am suddenly and strongly reminded of Joss Whedon begging people to go see "Serenity" again.
  • Lawdog
    I've seen Serenity at least 20 times by now. I own it on DVD, and I have it protected on my dvr. I'm waiting patiently for a sequel or (knock on wood) the return of Firefly. I do none of these things because Joss Whedon wants me to. I do them because Firefly gave a gritty, witty, more realistic than most look at human space colonization.
  • Merlin Missy
    This would be my point. The diehards went to see it repeatedly regardless. (Assuming time and money --- I went in costume opening night but didn't see it again until the DVD.) The rest of the audience didn't and wasn't going to, although a few Jossfans who weren't Browncoats may have been swayed by the plea. Meanwhile, the on-the-fence crowd, seeing that the movie makers are begging people for sales, may get the impression that the film can't stand on its own legs, and thus go see something else or save their movie funds for the next Harry Potter flick.
  • Thanks for spoiling parts of the movie!
  • Thrillhouse
    That's the only problem. Probably just as many have been telling people that the movie stinks. This movie seems to be heavily dividing moviegoers.

    Of course, it doesn't help that some of them know nothing about what this movie was supposed to be. It disheartens me to hear "The costumes were cheesy and there wasn't any action in it!!!!" oh yeah, and "Why did we have to see a penis for 3 hours?!?! GAY!"

    *eye roll*
  • It doesn't deserve a second viewing in my opinion.
  • Hayter, sorry to say it, but stick to MGS.

    I really did not appreciate what happened to the Graphic Novel in the movie. The film felt like a shell of what the novel put out there. Waiting patiently for a 5+ hour cut.
  • kynes
    I wish I had an extra 3 hours every weekend. But I don't I'll see this on DVD in bits and pieces for years to come, sorry bro
  • Amen Brother! I always do what Snake commands.

    Except if The Boss say other thing.
  • I was going to go again this weekend anyway, so I guess Hayter wins. He's right though, there needs to be better communication between studios and fans in some cases.
  • itsoveryourhead
    ive seen it twice and to say the least i love the screenplay/dialouge...its powerful. i respect the guy for standing up for the film....i mean he's already been paid.... he is doing this cuz he believes in it and i believe in the watchmen!
  • and because as he admits he'll get more revenue from the DVD sales.
  • he need not worry...this movie will hit jackpot..its a no-brainer!
  • i doubt it. he wouldn't need to actively campaign for it if it was a sure thing.

    the film is getting extremely mixed reactions, from both the general public and fanboys alike.
  • Why doesn't David offer me a blow job already? I know its his life project but seriously, you shouldn't have to beg the internet to see your movie again just because you feel it deserves more.

    (Also, Peter, you should've listed Hayter as co-writer considering they didn't use his admittedly awesome draft but instead one that was polished by Alex Tse and given and uncredited make over by Orci and Snyder.)
  • except the movie doesn't rule to a general audience. Its slow, the 3rd act drags, and most people I've talked to didn't find most of the characters interesting or well portrayed. Watchmen the movie is the graphic novel, cut in half, stretched out, and slo-mo'd, then they attached goggly eyes, and finally made you read the entire thing while listening to "Greatest hits of the 70s, 80s, and 90s" on random. Oh, and they replaced one of the characters with a piece of wood that has bangs and a mole.
  • and because he admits he'll get more revenue from the DVD sales.
  • Weyland_Yutani
    I went to see Grindhouse twice. It didn't work.

    Besides, what is Hayter so upset about? Doesn't he realize that they will remake Watchmen in a few years regardless of it's current popularity or success?
  • watchmen has no current popularity or success
  • watchmen has no current popularity or success :(
  • keeeeeeffff
    This is pathetic.

    If I saw every movie that made me think and laugh twice just so the same shit can be shat again in the future, I'd be wasting not only my money but production company money too.
  • Lamp Post
    This movies marketing was awful. I really loved the film, and if you watch it and understand it, it is really hard to argue that it is not well made. The theater I went to last thursday and watched this at was sold out. A lot of people were drunk, because they thought this was another batman or ironman where action is the prerogative. The screen writer is right, the movie does have balls. We have a reflective superhero movie. The lead villain wants world peace for christsakes! How cool is that? We probably get to see the first person in film history on screen who does not view time linearly and he's blue and he's naked! (no, Im not gay) We have an exploration of morality! Unfortunately the action was really bad (the only thing my audience liked). We've got a marriage of realistic and abstract images give birth to an under-language in some parts. What are people not getting here? WHO IN GODS NAME WOULD WANT A DIRECT ADAPTATION OF THE MOVIE ON SCREEN? WHAT IDIOT WOULD WANT THAT? WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND? Did everyone that read the comic book miss that it is campy, and.....Im not even going to finish this comment because people dont want to talk about it. If anyone actually wants to talk about it, just respond to this comment.
  • nice thoughts man. all of these great pieces of the story didn't have the same effect for me watching the film. it definitely made me want to go back and re-read the book, and Snyder did state that he wanted this to be a trailer/teaser to go read the book.

    yeah, and it was marketed all wrong also. But I think there wouldn't have been such a big first week take if it had been marketed truthfully.
  • jamie
    Snaaaaaake!
  • Ben
    I saw it 3 times probaly ill go see it again you haters out there can suck Dr.Manhattan's blue penis
  • adE
    which one would win in a race........santa clause, the easter bunny, a happy fanboy or zack snyder?
  • Western Hemisphere
    This is pathetic. This movie, as with the british faux-comic from the 1980s, is propatainment trash intended to "stick it to America". It didn't sell when it was published and no one's buying it now. Meaningless, despicable and unreflective of anything in the comic world of America, it doesn't make you think and isn't intended for that. It's intended for hating America and Americans. Hater needs to get a real job, because he just lost his right now. And the marketing really sucked. We wanted a serious treatment of Wonder Woman. We got bogus boatshit and a writer who is lying to us. Don't do this again. And to think we thought Flash Gordon was bad.
  • I think I will see the movie again.
  • no
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