Jeffery Dean Morgan (Denny in "Grey's Anatomy) as The Comedian in "Watchmen"

Last weekend, “The Dark Knight” passed the $500 million dollar mark, shattering another movie record. (Why do we care how much something has made? I guess that’s another post)

The success of the Batman sequel is having a very dark impact on the future of comic book movies. In March 2009, Warner Bros. is set to release the darkest of dark comic book movies with the release of “Watchmen.”

“Watchmen” is based on the graphic novel of the same name. Graphic novels are what they call comic books these days…and the name change is justified. Comic books were much simpler and appropriate for youngsters. These days, graphic novels are not written for kids but for adults. And “Watchmen” released by DC Comics in the 80s, is widely regarded as one of the very best graphic novels ever published.

A friend recently loaned me his hard bound book edition and I re-read it. If you thought “Dark Knight” was too dark, “Watchmen” is pitch-black! Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, this is an inspired piece of work.

Here’s the premise…what if superheroes did exist? How would they be accepted by the public? Would they be accepted…or rejected?

A very different take on superheroes in "Watchmen"

Or would the public just think these people are off their rockers? That is part of the concept behind the story. It’s set in an alternate version of the 80s. Nixon has just been re-elected to a fourth term and the world is on the brink of World War III. (I told you it was bleak.) Superheroes have been outlawed. And someone is eliminating the few superheroes still around. 

As I write this, I can’t help enjoying the similarities with Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” the CG masterpiece released a couple years ago, written and directed by Brad Bird. Course, that animated classic was  light-hearted and told for laughs. There are very few chuckles in “Watchmen.”

This is not Superman. It’s not Spiderman. It’s not even “The Dark Knight.” This is a totally unique POV on the whole comic book genre written especially for adults.

I’m looking forward to the movie adaptation based on the trailer released earlier this summer. You can watch the “Watchmen” trailer here on TheIndyChannel.com. It looks faithful to the source material. And that means its gonna be very dark.

We’ll find out next March.

*****

Looks exciting…and incredibly dangerous.

Should be fun. Have a great weekend!

Heyyyyyyyyy!

After this summer’s stunning superhero success on the silver screen (how do you like that alliteration!) you can expect plenty more rubber-suited superheroes at the movies over the next couple years.

Earlier this summer Marvel Comics led off with “Iron Man” and the re-booted “Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man” took off…literally. Marvel then took charge with reports of sequels to “Iron Man” (no word on “Hulk” yet) a Wolferine sequel to “The X-Men,” and eventually an “Avengers” movie. Can “Spiderman 4″ be far away (no word on if Tobery Maguire and director Sam Raimi will be doing that one…and when…but it will surely come.)

Recently, published reports say DC Comics and Warner Brothers had a “superhero summit” to develop a strategy for their comic catalog. DC publishes The Batman and Superman among other titles. Marvel and DC are the two major comic book publishers and in the recent movie successes are any indication, Marvel has been Kryptonite to DC…at least until “The Dark Knight” came out.

Many have complained Warners and DC have been too slow to unlock the treasure trove of characters like Marvel has done. Well, now they plan to catch up and exploit their characters.

So what can we expect to see from D.C.? A sequel to “The Dark Knight,” the biggest movie of the year is no doubt going to come. Christian Bale has said as much before “Knight” opened saying this Batman was conceived as a trilogy.

Another “Superman” movie (possibly called “The Man of Steel”) again starring Brandon Routh and directed by Bryan Singer (”Superman Returns”) will begin shooting in the next few months. (Hope its better than “Returns.”)

There is also talk of movies based on “The Green Lantern,” directed by Greg Berlanti, producer of TV’s “Brothers and Sisters” and “Eli Stone”) “The Flash”, “Aquaman” and finally “Wonder Woman.”

According to USA Today, all plans, though, depend on the course the studio charts in its summit. The studio is keeping details of its meetings under wraps, but issued a statement saying, in part, “We’re constantly looking at how best to exploit the DC Comics characters and properties.”

 Since Warner Bros. owns DC Comics,, they have first take on any DC heroes.

IF you saw “The Dark Knight,” you got a preview of what could certainly be the next big comic book movie. Zack Snyder, the visionary director behind last year’s sword and sandals graphic novel/movie “300″ is adapting “Watchmen,” the graphic novel many say is the best in the genre into a movie that will be released next spring. (I’m re-reading “Watchmen” and will post my take on it soon.)

Have a great weekend!