Warner Bros. has released a brand new trailer for Watchmen Chapter 1. This brand new animated movie is a new adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal DC Comics miniseries. This time, it’s getting a two-part, R-rated feature film treatment in animation rather than live-action. Is that the right choice? How will it compare to Zack Snyder’s Watchmen from 2009? Check it out.
The footage is very stylized and certainly leans into the R rating. It also looks very faithful to the source material, much like Snyder’s divisive live-action film was. We first heard about this animated Watchmen movie way back in 2017. While it certainly took some time for the powers that be to make it happen, it has come to fruition. The first part of the two-parter will arrive in August, with Chapter 2 slated to arrive later in 2024.
Here is the synopsis for Watchmen Chapter 1.
“In an alternate world history shaped by superheroes, once-celebrated ‘costumed adventurers’ have been banned by a society disenchanted with vigilantism. Now, in 1985, the murder of The Comedian, a hero-turned-government operative, draws the attention of Rorschach, the last of the outlawed vigilantes. Rorschach’s investigation embroils his retired colleagues, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias, in conflict with their pasts, with each other and in a mystery that threatens their lives and a world on the brink of war.”
This is just the latest example of Warner Bros. trying to keep this franchise alive. The most important example in recent history was HBO’s Watchmen TV show, which debuted in 2019 and was met with rave reviews. While the series was a big hit, it only lasted a single season. So, WB and Paramount have teamed for the pair of animated films, which will arrive on VOD, as well as Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD.
The cast is led by Matthew Rhys (Nite Owl), Katee Sackhoff (Silk Spectre) and Titus Welliver (Rorschach). The ensemble also includes Troy Baker (Ozymandias), Adrienne Barbeau (Sally Jupiter), Corey Burton (Captain Metropolis), Michael Cerveris (Dr. Manhattan), Jeffrey Combs (Edgar Jacobi), John Marshall Jones (Hooded Justice), Yuri Lowenthal (Wally Weaver), Geoff Pierson (Hollis Mason), Kari Wahlgren (Janey Slater) and Rick D. Wasserman (The Comedian).
Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood) is in the director’s chair, working from a script by J. Michael Straczynski (Thor). Jim Krieg and Cindy Rago are on board as producers, with Dave Gibbons serving as consulting producer. Sam Register, Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin are the executive producers.
Watchmen Chapter 1 arrives on VOD on August 13 and Blu-ray on August 27.
What do you think? Do you dig the trailer? Are you looking forward to an animated take on Watchmen? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
