In 2017, Warner Bros. Pictures (WB) announced they were developing an animated movie based on the DC Comics title, “Watchmen.” Since then, there has been very little information outside of another announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in 2023, giving it a 2024 release window and an R-rating.
On June 13th, DC and WB surprised everyone by dropping a trailer for the two-part film out of nowhere. Even though the trailer doesn’t give us much to go on, it does open with Rorschach narrating about the death of fellow superhero, The Comedian. So we think it’s safe to assume at least that comic plot point will stay intact.
The “Watchmen” Comics
Released in 1986, “Watchmen” was a limited-run comic series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins. The story takes place in an alternative timeline where superheroes have altered history. Changing little things here and there like the US winning the Vietnam War and preventing the Watergate scandal from being exposed.
“Watchmen” follows a group of disenfranchised superheroes forced into retirement by the Keene Act of 1977. This fictitious act outlaws vigilantism, except for those who work for the US government. During the exile, someone starts killing superheroes, including the group’s peer/friend The Comedian. The group now must find their friend’s killer while stopping the end of the world as we know it.
Previous Adaptations
This isn’t the first time “Watchmen” has been adapted from its comic form either. In 2009, Zack Snyder directed a live-action feature-length adaptation. While it didn’t set the box office on fire, it has developed a cult following. Ten years later, Damon Lindelof created a limited series for HBO. The show took home 11 of the 26 Primetime Emmy Awards it was nominated for.
Despite the trailer information about the cast, crew, and release date are still seemingly under wraps. But given the 2023 announcement, we may see chapter one of this film sometime this year.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about the “Watchmen” animated film as it develops. You can check out the trailer below:
