EXCL: Zack Snyder on Watchmen's Blu-ray

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EXCL: Zack Snyder on Watchmen's Blu-ray

Source:Silas Lesnick

June 25, 2009

Gearing up for next month's home video premiere of Watchmen and "300: The Complete Experience," Warner Bros. invited Zack Snyder to show off some of the innovative special features that are set to debut with both Blu-ray editions.

Hitting July 21st, Watchmen boasts a new twist - Director's Commentaries with something called a "Director Walk-On". Watching the film in the mode actually features Snyder stepping in front of the screen and offering video insight. Unlike the standard commentary, the video of Snyder can pause or rewind segments that need greater focus as well as link to various featurettes or still images. 300 offers a similar feature, letting the viewer choose one of three different "commentary" modes, either focusing on the graphic novel, the film's production, or the history behind the story.

Though WB confirmed that an "Ultimate Edition" will be hitting later (around Christmas), Snyder emphasized that the July edition's features won't be repeated and that the later release will be a more or less "movie-only" version, incorporating the "Black Freighter" footage back into the film. Though the later set's running time will be the longest version possible, Snyder's preferred cut will be the version hitting July 21st and that that version will contain the greatest special features. While the "Ultimate" version will not include the walk-ons, it will have an exclusive audio-only commentary.

The Director's Cut version of Watchmen will, meanwhile, get a theatrical release the weekend of July 17th in four cities: Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Minneapolis. Theaters have not yet been announced, but check back soon for full details.

CS/SHH!: Were you aware, the whole production, that the Blu-ray would end up this involved?
Zack Snyder: We knew. We were constantly having meeting and planning, "Oh, this is going to be on the Blu-ray. Because when we did "300," we asked, "Can the Blu-ray do this?" and they were like, "Yeesh. Not yet." Because they were still developing the technology to make the Blu-ray. Like on the "300" one, they couldn't go between the different threads. All that craziness. They couldn't really do that. Now they're like, "We've got this thing where you basically walk into the movie and the movie shrinks back and you start talking about all these aspects of it." We were like, "Wow, really? That seems kind of impossible." They said, "No, no. I think we can do it." Sure enough, they showed us a little animatic they did and we all thought it would be cool. For me it's really cool because it's not like there's any aspect of "Watchmen" that I haven't gone over. For instance, in the Comedian's apartment, everything is designed. I talk about the things that are happening, but there's a whole other level of stuff I could talk about. It's kind of the perfect movie for saying, "Oh, we built that Kleenex box" or "We built that table" or "The symbol for whatever was based on the original Crimebusters or the original Minutemen." It's cool on a movie like this to be given the format and platform to really go, "If you want to come on and come go and get it in there, you can just put in this thing and you won't hit the bottom." It's kind of fun.

CS/SHH!: There was talk at one point of the Director's Cut getting a theatrical release. Is that still happening?
Snyder: It is, actually. The weekend before Comic-Con which, I think we determined, is the 17th. It will be at a theater in L.A., one in New York, one in Dallas and one in Minneapolis. It's a Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

CS/SHH!: So people should start lining up right now?
Snyder: (Laughing) If they care. Now, at Comic-Con, when people line up to ask questions, I can be like, "Next question. Okay, before you ask, did you see the Director's Cut in theaters, by any chance? Really? So you don't care? That's fine. Whatever. Next."

CS/SHH!: Any thought of going back and doing a badass Blu-ray version of "Dawn of the Dead"?
Snyder: I don't know. I'll talk to Universal and see if they're interested. If they care. One thing about "Dawn of the Dead" is that it was one of their first Blu-rays. It's not a bad Blu-ray, but I saw it the other night and I was like, "Man, I can do another transfer of
that pretty easily." But they haven't talked about it. I'm desperate to do like a maquette series. Like a sort of three-film maquette series with one of the cool maquette companies. Sideshow or one of those guys. Of the three. Like, "Dawn of the Dead" with a cool action scene. Something from "300" and something from "Watchmen" all in the same scale. Similar size and format. That would be real cool.

CS/SHH!: "Watchmen" looks like the standard Blu-ray case while "300" is Warner's "book" packaging. What's your ideal Blu-ray packaging?
Snyder: It's hard. I'm not really sure on the Blu-ray package. It feels like they're trying to brand Blu-ray and they're not ready to give that part up yet. DVD doesn't give a s**t. They make those cool metal tins. They'll do anything. But I understand that they've got to sell Blu-ray players and make people buy them. To get technology in people's homes before it becomes just downloads.

CS/SHH!: "Watchmen" is also getting a lot of retailer-exclusive packages. Best Buy has plastic Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach heads.
Snyder: Oh my God! Have you seen the Amazon Exclusive Nite Owl ship? It's ridiculous!

CS/SHH!: Is there already something special in mind for the Ultimate Edition?
Snyder: I don't know. There's this version that's coming out that's my cut and then the version that comes out at Christmas is basically "The Black Freighter" version which is probably a much-simpler giant movie release but without the walk-ons and everything. It'll be the only way to see that version of the movie. So if you're a fan of the complete experience, you'll have a chance to see it.

CS/SHH!: How does it compare, in terms of special features, to have Frank Miller's involvement as opposed to Alan Moore's? That is, I'm guessing Alan Moore didn't suddenly show up and say, "I'll do the DVD!"
Snyder: Correctomundo. But it is different. Frank is awesome. He and I get along great. He helped a ton on "300". Dave [Gibbons] has been nothing but a joy, though. He's a super-smart guy. He's just really good at what he does and instantly knows if it's Watchmeney or not. Is it different not having Alan there to tell us how he feels? I'm sure it is. I don't know how that experience feels. We've probably gone deeper into the material because we didn't have him. We were just assuming that it has to be awesome. I'll probably never know. Alan had said long before I came onto the project that he didn't want anything to do with the project. So the truth is that I said from the beginning that I would not -- because what Alan doesn't want is for anyone to make any assumptions about what his opinions would be. Don't go, "Oh, he'll love this!" because that's it. He'll kill you if you say that. What I said is, "I will make no assumptions." My stance to the press has always been, "I don't know. Zero. I have zero answer to that." Because I'll never know. I can't make any assumptions about if he'll ever see it or if he cares to see it or anything like that.

CS/SHH!: Todd Haynes said something similar about his Bob Dylan biopic, "I'm Not There". Even though he had Dylan's blessing, he knew he would never even know if Dylan had seen it or what he thought.
Snyder: Because he's never going to say. That's it. That's right, exactly.

You can also read what Snyder had to say about the possible 300 sequel here!

You can pre-order the 2-Disc Watchmen Special Edition Blu-ray here and the "300: The Complete Experience" Blu-ray here.

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Comments

Posted by: BSFM86 on June 27, 2009 at 15:31:14

What people don't realize about the violence and graphic sex is that they were more than likely highly thought out. They are there to comment on society (censorship, obsessed with sex and violence) and they were exaggerated as a means of commentary. Alan Moore did it in his graphic novel and Zak adapted that idealology to fit in with film.

Posted by: me on June 27, 2009 at 15:32:59

Alan Moore, thanks for the book. For the record, you are the crotchety-iest dude ever. People just want to praise your work and you are, well, I think I summed it up with crotchety.

Posted by: Blu-ray blows on June 27, 2009 at 18:39:05

blu-ray sucks balls it is just a waste of $$ will be picking it up on DVD though

Posted by: spiderfan on June 28, 2009 at 00:35:08

I don't think Watchmen was so much an adaptation as a traslation. It was masterfully done and the change in the ending is justified because a huge animal would look "ridiculous" in this movie. it has good acting all around, solid writing (again, from the source material) and I even liked the colors used. This extra features might merit having a look at it....

Posted by: Vance Astro on June 28, 2009 at 11:02:07

Can hardly wait to see this extra footage in the theatres next month!

I'm holding off buying the dvd for the Ultimate Version.

Posted by: greatmovie! on June 28, 2009 at 15:04:26

just a quick question how long is the new directors cut?? is it indeed 30 extra min? i heard somewhere it contains mainly new scenes of rorshach?

Posted by: Phanboy on June 28, 2009 at 16:49:02

Its as simple as this if you were a fan of the comic then you loved it, if you are above the mindless masses you loved it, if you are in fact a mindless media zombie then you hated it. Im surprised that so many zombies didnt like the Superheroes + Sex. i mean thats all thats on most of there minds. Im not a media zombie but hell thats all thats on mine

Posted by: Vance Astro on June 28, 2009 at 23:27:21

greatmovie, it's said to be 25 extra minutes of footage. From what I read, it sounds like some of the extra stuff ties in to Black Freighter and Hollis Mason.

Posted by: Lot O lafs on June 29, 2009 at 00:50:40

I didn't even see watchmen even though I am a diehard fan. I refused to see it pretty much because I knew It wouldn't be the entire story. Hopefully the extended edition will be almost exactly alike.

Posted by: Alexander Quinn on June 29, 2009 at 18:50:45

I love how Blu-ray is just whored out as much as possible. I don't care what it features; it ain't worth that price, especially now when studios expect you to buy multiple versions of it. I'll stick with the DVD at half the price, cause when you break it down to basics, I want it for the film, not tri-lingual interactive commentary that plays while the deleted scenes are being shown as you play a trivia game and watch the movie all at the same time.

Posted by: Dave on June 30, 2009 at 00:49:26

This movie was based on a literary masterpiece. It's not easy to both appease fans and reach general audiences with work like this. The movie was more risk less reward and I applaud him for even trying. This is the most promising graphic novel adaptation ever, the dialogue and art literally jumped off the pages onto the screen. It was impressive. Anyone who dare say it's nothing like the source material should go watch Wolverine before they write anything stupid about Watchmen.

Posted by: its a movie for the fans on June 30, 2009 at 16:19:59

this movie is for the fans that read watchmen or watched the motion comic. if you didnt like it, too bad, you would rather watch Transformers 2. i cant wait for it to be released, its over 3hrs. long and all the extras, plus bdlive

Posted by: Great job! on July 1, 2009 at 05:32:05

This is what I did, I sit on you. Sit sit sit, sit on you.

Right on your head.

Posted by: Leo Jussila on July 1, 2009 at 13:52:25

I'll just tell you this thing.

Every fanboy on earth who thought Watchmen was a good movie, will think the Directors Cut is freaking AWSOME!

Cause i think it is.
Especially the fact that the conversation between Dan and Rorschach in the beginning is the full conversation, Doc teleports the studio away and not himself, just to mention 2 things :)

Overall the movie flowed better too, you got to know the characters better :)
Felt more like the GN in all aspects :D

Posted by: Leo Jussila on July 1, 2009 at 14:02:13

Oh, i forgot to tell you one thing.

The sex scene.

They don't go all nude directly, a bit more kissing. Better angels though (although it was a one-camera shot thingi, multiple takes though :D) and it's a bit less explicit.
It's more focused on the kissing, and it feels alot less like a porno.
Which is awsome.

Posted by: VILLAINCourt on July 1, 2009 at 19:15:36

I was more than ready to buy this DVD, I was even willing to wait and get the Ultimate Edition. But now that I know the "Black Freighter" Version will include no special features, I've decided I will be downloading/burning it when it comes out.

You're not getting ANY money from me WB and I hope the majority of the fans will do the same. When you decide to quit being so greedy (especially in such desperate times) and release all of this stuff together, maybe then I'll consider throwing down some cash for it.

Posted by: p3p3 skin on July 3, 2009 at 05:05:20

best comic book adaptation ever **** anybody that disagrees

Posted by: DAllen on July 3, 2009 at 22:11:41

This movie left such a bad taste in my mouth. I can't say that about very many movies because I see them coming and I avoid them. But I'm charting this movie right down there with Love Guru and Howard the Duck. Mystery Men was a better movie than Watchmen. Don't try and tell me this was a great movie if you aren't going to reference the cost to make versus the box office totals. By that measure this movie sucked moose balls.

Posted by: Pimpin Hod on July 3, 2009 at 22:26:15

Hah! I agree with how shockingly bad this movie was. I would say it sucked moose balls too, but then I wouldn't want to insult moose ball sucking.

I know. I don't get it so I must be dumb. Oh, that'll make me buy it. NOT. I got that joke from Borat.

So if you make a movie that sucks and I don't like it, then I must be dumb? Maybe the guys making the movie were dumb. Was there no way to make it, oh I don't know...better?

The way I see it, they owe me $13 for the complete waste of a ticket I paid to see this crap in Imax. Gimme back my $13 bucks! If anyone of you movie lovers love it so much, then you can send me $13 bucks and buy two DVDs - one for you and one for the one I wont be buying.

Posted by: loaloa on July 6, 2009 at 16:14:13

to Really: I have to say that it's always hard for a european to understand why American are so puritan with sex. Frankly, the sex scenes in Watchmen are NOTHING, there is not even one good reason to talk about them. Most of them were in the original material.

Posted by: GrampaGeezer on July 7, 2009 at 09:29:40

Is ANY movie worth releasing multiple versions of?

Watch, within a year or two after the "Ultimate Edition", they'll release the "Deluxe Ultimate Version" with the extended footage plus all the special features and special collectors DVD case.

When a studio gets this greedy, I hope the DVD sales tank just like it did at the box office.

Posted by: Pimpin Hod on July 12, 2009 at 00:32:41

I'm watching the Flash Grodon movie from 1980.

Flash is a better superhero movie than the Watchmen movie. Gues what? So was Robin Hood Men in Tights.

I want to keep reminding people of how bad this movie was. Blu Ray, extra scenes, cool enhancements, and dope commentary aint gonna make this peice of crap look like chocolate.

Rick Patino: All it takes is one spec of poop to ruin a bucket of ice cream. But there is no amount of ice cream you can dump into a bucket of poop to make it stop being a bucket of poop.

Posted by: Pimpin Hod on July 12, 2009 at 00:39:29

Is it me or do I remember some midget exploitation in the Watchmen movie?

I guess nothing says high quality screenwriting like a midget prison crime boss.

OK, so what did I like about Watchmen?

Answer: The trailer being played to that Smashing Pumpkins song and that is absolutely it.

Posted by: Dark Knight on July 21, 2009 at 13:13:11

Posted by: transcendant on July 21, 2009 at 09:20:48

dan is an idiot, ericinhb is an idiot and marverl4life fails at life. The movie was great. The variety of storytelling was brilliant, the action was well done, the acting was very good, the story was awesome. It actually had substance which is the very element that all of you are crying about with movies like TF2. Just cant please you children huh? Maybe some of you are just not intellectually developed enough for Watchmen and need to go latch on to mommy's boob some more.

-you get an action movie with substance=you whine

-you get an action movie with too much action=you whine

-you get a movie with not enough action=you whine

-you get a pg=13 rating with no gore/swearing= you whine

-you get an R rating with gore/swearing=you whine and call the gore senseless.

you should all just stop watching movies altogether and read. leave movies alone, its obviously not the format to please you...

^^^^^Exactly!

Posted by: Dark Knight on July 21, 2009 at 13:14:44

One of best comic genre films of all time....definitely ranks in the top 5 if not the top 3!

Those of you who didn't like this movie are plain and simply weird......

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