Last week, I posted about Keanu Reeves' new movie Night Watch. Its title recently changed from The Night Watchman to Night Watch to avoid confusion with Zack Snyder's upcoming superhero movie called Watchmen. I found it odd at the time that the filmmakers aren't concerned about getting mixed up with Night Watch, Nightwatch, or Nightwatch. Believe it or not, this title hopping is about to get even more complicated -- Keanu Reeves has been offered a role in Watchmen! My head hurts. Sources say Reeves has been offered the role of Doctor Manhattan, AKA Dr. Jon Osterman -- the "big blue superbeing" with god-like powers like superhuman strength, telekenesis, the ability to teleport, and clairvoyance. In the immortal words of Reeves himself: "Whoa!"
Jude Law is expected to take on the role of Adrien Veidt, or Ozymandias -- "the smartest man on the planet." Law is a longtime Watchmen fan, and was expected to get the role, although Chris reported a couple months ago on rumors that fellow fan Tom Cruise was interested. Little Children's Patrick Wilson is expected to play Dan Drieberg -- Nite Owl, a hero similar to Batman. Watchmen is a twelve issue graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the form. It is the only graphic novel to have been featured on Time Magazine's 2005 list of the 100 best English language novels from 1923 to the present. Zack Snyder is directing Watchmen as his follow-up to the smash hit 300. The star of that film, Gerard Butler, has been linked to Watchmen as well, but now that three of the leads seem to be nearly finalized, that may not come to pass. What do you guys think -- are these good choices?There are still a lot of Watchmen roles up for grabs, who would you want to see round out the cast?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-22-2007 @ 2:55PM
Sam G. said...
If Keanu is involved in Watchmen I swear to God I will set fire to the Interwebs with my mind.
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5-22-2007 @ 3:15PM
Andrew said...
I could see Butler as the Comedian. Or maybe Ron Perlman. Seriously though, Reeves and Law would be terrible. What has Jude Law even done that remotely comes close to the personality of Ozymandias. Next the rumors will be Katie Holmes as Silk Spectre
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5-22-2007 @ 3:31PM
RP said...
Stallone would be a great Comedian, although probably just visually, you'd have to dub him.
Personally i think Law would be great in the part of Ozymandias, but what are they thinking with Keanu Reeves? I bet they don't even want him to shave his head. I'd rather they just use a CG creation to be honest.
Oh, and Damien Lewis for Rorschach pleaaaaaaaase!
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5-22-2007 @ 4:09PM
Jonathan said...
If they stay true to the story, then you are spending most of your time in 1985 with retired superheroes. Thus, this could be the one time that some great actors get to make both a superhero movie AND adapt one of the greatest stories in the past 50 years.
That being said, here are my choices
Doctor Manhattan - Michael Clarke Duncan
(He is an immortal, has to be strong and MCD's voice would be great)
Silk Spectre #1 - Diana Rigg
(Nod to the past action heroine and could be #2's Mom)
Silk Spectre #2 - Demi Moore
(Certainly looks like a kick-ass in shape but retired superheroine to me. Plus, she gets it on with both Dr. Manhattan & Night Owl #2)
Nite Owl #2 - Bruce Willis
('nuff said)
Nite Owl #1 - Clint Eastwood
(again - I can see it.)
Ozymandias - Brad Pitt
(Looks younger than he should for his age, peak physical condition, blonde = Brad)
The Comedian - Burt Reynolds
(Was based on Burt, he's the right age, why not?)
Rorshach - Robin Williams
(Spends most of the time masked, so need someone who can act extensively with voice and body)
Captain Metropolis - Tommy Lee Jones
(Struggled with this, but think it would work well)
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5-22-2007 @ 4:51PM
Paul F. said...
Wilson and Law wouldn't be my first choices (too young, and no gravitas), but they work fine. Keanu looks like a disaster, though the distant and wooden Dr. Manhattan DOES play to his strengths. Just can't see him PHYSICALLY in the role.
I'd guess Butler for the Comedian, though my favorite for that role remains Robin Williams (right age, can play dark).
Hillary Swank was rumored to be interested in Silk Spectre on an earlier production. She'd be great.
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5-22-2007 @ 7:27PM
teknokracy said...
And don't you forget "The Watcher"!
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5-22-2007 @ 9:48PM
Faenwyn said...
So far so good, I would add Butler as the Comedian and Andrew Tiernan as Rorschach, might as well stay with a proven formula.
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5-26-2007 @ 6:23PM
stephen martin said...
Silk Spectre #2=Linda Carter
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5-28-2007 @ 1:42PM
PIslander said...
K Reeves as Dr. Manhattan!????????????
That is so rediculous that I can't get my brain around it.
I think that role must be filled with a TALL person, like REALLY tall.
Don't think there's much acting needed, tho.
As for Gerry Butler, I would have liked to see him as either Nite Owl 2 or Ozymandias.
Gerry's natural physique isn't bulky like he was when making "300".
He's actually quite slender and elegant in appearance.
I don't see him as The Comedian, because of that fact and many others.
But, I'm not Zach Snyder nor his casting agent, so my op is as important as a dustbunny under the bed.
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