The wait for Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal graphic novel WATCHMEN to take the leap from the printed page to the big screen has been going on for almost two decades. Now that the film is on its way for real (pending Fox’s lawsuit against WB), the light is at the end of the tunnel for comics fans who have waited so long to see the story come to life. The graphic novel, originally published in 12 individual issues by DC Comics in the 1980s, became the benchmark by which all other similar works would be judged for years afterwards. It turned the superhero genre, and indeed the comics industry, on its head, it became a New York Times bestseller, and it achieved that most rare of accolades for a comics based story: Actual respect.

Zack Snyder's take on the legendary comic book series seems to have captured every frame within its running time. The makers of the film have been meticulous in their approach and the end result is something that looks truly spectacular. The comics industry and it's fans are holding their breath until the movie finally gets released. Could the impossible have been achieved? It certainly looks as though the movie is going to be incredible, and that the graphic novel has been brought successfully to the screen.

It has long since been the concern of fans that the characters and the depth of their interplay would be much too complicated for movie audiences, but it does seem to be so that Snyder and his cast and crew have created a feature film adaptation that will amaze everyone that sees it.

For much of the production a veil of secrecy was drawn over the day to day shooting, but when the first promo photos started to emerge from Warner Brothers, excitement began to grow and fears that it wouldn't be faithful to the source material began to fade. Then came the trailers, which blew everyone away. Watchmen was at last going to be transformed into the definitive comic book feature film. But then...

As Warner Brothers prepared to release the WATCHMEN movie they had spent so much on creating, it came to light that FOX were claiming they still owned some of the rights to the movie property, dating back to a deal in 1991. A lawsuit was filed and FOX have attempted to stand in the way of Warner Brothers releasing the completed film.

In December 2008, FOX won the first injunction against WB releasing WATCHMEN, with the judge ruling that yes, they do still own a portion of the rights to the movie adaptation. It yes yet to be seen whether or not Warners will be able to go ahead with their advertised March release, or if Fox will take foreign distribution rights, or what.

This has caused a huge outcry in the public, with fans threatening to boycott Fox releases. A campaign against the court case has been launched online, with many fans believing that Fox should step back and let WB release the film that they never apparently attempted to make.

This page will be updated whenever more news on the release of the film comes to light! Here's hoping we actuially get to see the film! For now at least, it does seem to be that the so-called 'film that couldn't be made' has become 'the film that can't be released'.

JANUARY 2009 UPDATE: It appears that Fox and warner Brothers have come to an arrangement regarding the rights and release of WATCHMEN, and the film will indeed get it's US release in March! 

The Watchmen movie has thrilled millions of fans the world over. The critics have largely loved the film, but as expected there are several critics who didnt really get it. I can understand people not liking it for whatever reason, but dismissing it outright is impossible.

I'm on the side of the critics that loved it- the Watchmen film is nothing short of incredible, a work of cinematic art that perfectly captures the themes and feel of the graphic novel even though it misses some elements out.

Remember- a longer version of the film is due out this summer! For many fans, Watchmen is now the definitive comic book movie. How very appropriate.