By Iain Blair

Watchmen has got to be one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year. Since its initial release as a 12-issue limited comic book in the ‘80s by DC Comics, it has been republished as the now-legendary graphic novel. It was also considered un-filmable. As directed by Zack Snyder (300), it stars a largely unknown cast – Billy Crudup as Jon Osterman, Dr. Manhattan; Jackie Earle Haley as Walter Kovacs, a.k.a. Rorschach; Carla Gugino as Sally Jupiter, a.k.a. Silk Spectre; Malin Akerman as Laurie Jupiter, a.k.a. Silk Spectre II; Matthew Goode as Adrian Veidt, a.k.a. Ozymandias; Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Edward Blake, a.k.a. The Comedian; and Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg, a.k.a. Nite Owl II – and stays faithful to the book.

So Nixon is still President of 1985 America, the Vietnam War was won, not lost, and the USA and the Soviet Union are still fighting the Cold War. Joining Snyder behind the scenes were Director of Photography Larry Fong (300), Production Designer Alex McDowell (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Editor William Hoy (300), Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson (300), and Visual Effects Supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin, whose extensive credits include The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, Fantastic Four and The Kingdom. The team shot the film at several locations around Vancouver, Canada, and a number of sets were constructed on four stages at CMPP Studios (Canadian Motion Picture Park).  In addition, a new backlot was built from the ground up on what once was a vast lumber yard on the outskirts of town.  There, McDowell and his team built from scratch the New York City that Watchmen fans will recognize — from the Gunga Diner to Rorschach’s alley to The Comedian’s high-rise apartment. To complete the look, “DJ” told me they also used “about 1100 total” visual effects shots. The result is pretty amazing.

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