Well, we probably all should have seen this coming when you consider that Alan Moore seems to hate the movies Hollywood makes from his works just as much as Hollywood loves to make them. In an interview with Wizard Universe, the comic book legend spoke about his current involvement (or lack thereof) in Zack Snyder's big-screen version of Moore's Watchmen. According to Moore, he has officially (read, legally) washed his hands of the whole thing. Moore says, "I got a piece of paper a couple of months ago saying, "I, the undersigned, hereby give you permission to take my name off of the film and to send my money to Dave Gibbons." So I sent that back to them all signed and sealed, which means that now I don't have to rant and spew about the film. I'm just simply not interested in it". Watchmen is one of the most respected comic books out there, so you can imagine there is a lot riding on Snyder getting it right. There has already been plenty of discussion about casting choices, but so far, most fans seem to be cautiously optimistic about the whole thing.In the past, Moore has battled with filmmakers over other film versions of his books like V for Vendetta and the famously crappy The League of Extraordinary Gentleman. But it would seem that Moore has learned something this time around, and instead of kicking up a fuss, he just walked away from the whole project. As for Moore's original Watchmen collaborator, Dave Gibbons, he seems a lot more positive about the whole thing. On the official production blog for the film, Gibbons waxed poetically after viewing the sets, saying, "Finally, tired but happy, arms around my new buddies, costumed and otherwise, it's my turn to smile for the camera. A month later, I'm smiling still". Well at least someone sounds happy about the whole thing. So while this is the last we are going to hear from Moore on the subject, that doesn't mean there won't be plenty more Watchmen updates to come before the film hits theaters on March 6th, 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-03-2008 @ 2:32PM
bovious said...
The moviemakers have no excuse for what they did to "League..."
And as I was reading V for Vendetta, I remember thinking, "Wow, for a graphic novel this would sure make a lousy movie."
However, count me among the cautiously optimistic. Moore's departure changes that opinion not one iota.
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1-03-2008 @ 2:49PM
RP said...
I was pretty appalled by the V film, but even more so for Moore's involvement. I know he wanted to wash his hands of the thing some time before it was released, but at what point did he realise it was going down the pan?
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1-03-2008 @ 3:10PM
EJ is an Idjit said...
God Jessica, your site just regurgitates and reprints stuff that you read on the nets, most of which isn't even true.
- League was a fun movie. It wasn't the comic but it was fun. Made $200 million worldwide so someone like it.
- Moore never had a problem with the people who made League. I defy you to point to a place that says that. You won't because you just made that up.
- Moore had a problem with the producer of V for claiming he was involved. It was a damn good film though.
Please- I know you are just here so losers can order Moviephone tickets and have something stupid to read, but either do original journalism or shut down.
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1-03-2008 @ 3:50PM
Koby said...
Considering that Hollywood tends to butcher the man's work, I can completely understand why he wouldn't want anything to do with the films.
However, I think he should have waited to see the final product before having his named removed. Just my 2 cents though.
As for the "EJ is an Idjiit" person, yea the movies made money but they were suppose to be movie representations of a man's work. And from that prospective League was a disaster and V was fine until the 3rd act where someone appears to have missed the point.
Also, ever wondered why we never saw a second League film even though there are (now 2) other stories involving the characters? Please "EJ is a Idjiit" why not do your own research before making claims that someone else should do the same.
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1-03-2008 @ 5:17PM
RP said...
EJ is an Idjit said... - "Moore never had a problem with the people who made League. I defy you to point to a place that says that. You won't because you just made that up."
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JSb_ZPliu3Q&feature=related
You're welcome.
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1-03-2008 @ 5:28PM
E said...
Thanks RP for the link. EJ is an Idjit, maybe you should do some research in the future. I will say that I always get really hungry when Hugo Weaving makes the eggs in the basket (just like when Paul Sorvino is cutting the garlic in Goodfellas).
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1-03-2008 @ 5:39PM
Lola said...
Why does he keep selling the rights to his comics if he hates what people do with them so much? Is he just doing it for the money? If so then he doesn't have much integrity as an artist and has lost any right to bitch. Sorry, I'm still thinking about David Cross from yesterday.. the AV Club article definitely convinced me of their viewpoint much better than your article did.
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1-03-2008 @ 7:57PM
Chris said...
Moore does not own the rights to the comics or the characters that he created while working for DC, so he has no control over the film rights either.
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1-03-2008 @ 8:08PM
Franklin said...
Surprised no one has mentioned the movie adaptation of "From Hell".
It's understandable why Moore has not been happy with any of the movie versions of his work. But the one question I've always wondered: Has he even tried, or been invited, to be more involved in the movie making process? Overall, I just have this impression that Moore has never cared much for filmmaking and films in general. He seems outrightly dismissive of it as a legit artistic medium.
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1-03-2008 @ 9:05PM
Tor said...
Again with this. Just get him some 'how-to' screenwriting books and problem solved.
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1-04-2008 @ 11:18AM
EJ is an Idjit said...
RP
You are of course an ass. I played your link. He hated the film. He never mentions any problems with the producers.
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1-04-2008 @ 4:10PM
Chris said...
I don't think Moore is against movies, but he does not think that his work translates well to film. He doesn't want people thinking that he endorses films that are about something barely recognizable from his work.
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3-11-2008 @ 12:16AM
Thomas said...
V for Vendetta was horrid, The film focued on the action rather than the story, Made the leader a card board cut out image, rather than just one more person who thought he was doing the right thing
I have passed up on League of Extraordiary gentelmen ..and shall continue to do so
As for Chris's comment regarding Mr Moore's stance with the film versioins, you can find it on wikipedia, he basicaly said that Watchmen is what the comic book can do to its fullest, If Terry Gilliam said this story is not filmable - a man who made a successful verision of an unfilmable book (Fear and Loathing in las Vegas) that should be a sign to just let the original form stay the way it is How it was intended to be absorbed. I am sure Alan Moore could write a screenplay if he wished, but the man loves the comic book form, why should he write a screenplay if he does not wish to?
His disavowment makes sense, and i for one, am going to avoide this pile of crap Zack cannot direct to save his life, Tyler bates has no musical skills what so ever All add up to a recipe for disaster
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