Fans eager anticipating the release of “Watchmen” in just over two months were given a lump of coal in their stockings this holiday season when the federal judge in the case issued a ruling that 20th Century Fox does have a right to the distribution rights for the film. Â
The ruling could signal a huge settlement by Warner Brothers to keep the much-hyped release date of March 6, 2009.Â
Or it could be far, far worse in its implications for not only “Watchmen” but future graphic novel adaptations.
The worst news for fans of “Watchmen” is that should the case go to court, it could push the release of the film back to 2011. According to AMC blogger, Nick Nadel the legal case and its various appeals would push the movie’s release back and back until 2011 or later.  Nadel points out that should the film be pushed back to 2011, there’s a danger of a loss of fan interest and going up against Marvel’s epic “The Avengers” film that is slated to open that summer. Nadel says that dividing the interest of comic book fans could end up harming both films in the long run.
In that time, “Watchmen” could also suffer from more studio interferance. It’s not likely that director Zack Snyder will be able to keep with the project duing the two to three year delay on the film, opening the door to Warner Brothers suits to re-edit or trim the film.  As we’ve previously reported, there has been an on-going battle between Snyder and Warner Brothers over the running time of the film. Snyder has a cut that runs close to three hours and while reports have stated that the movie’s current edit runs just over two and a half, should Snyder be off directing another film, it would be up to Warner’s suits to make any adjustments or changes they feel necessary without Snyder’s input.
Of course, that assumes that Warner Brothers is allowed to release the film. Should Fox win in court, they could take Snyder’s cut and lock it up along the lines of the 1980’s “Fantastic Four” film. Fox could decide to remake the entire project, assinging a new director to it and recasting the entire film. And given Fox’s track record with comic book adaptations (“Fantastic Four,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”), this could spell disaster for “Watchmen.”Â
“If he so chooses, (Fox executive Tom) Rothman could decide to can Snyder’s version altogether and turn the property over to another director — Brett Ratner, perhaps, or whoever helmed Elektra,” writes Nadel.
Another casualty could be other “risky” fare based on graphic novels getting a big-screen adaptation.Â
“Between the legal battle and the production cost, ‘Watchmen’ is going to end up being one expensive movie regardless of the outcome,” Nadel writes. “And despite favorable buzz and a nearly unanimous agreement on its potential, it’s still a bit of a gamble since people aren’t entirely convinced Moore’s sprawling work is even filmable. Witnessing this debacle, other studios could start to get antsy about giving the greenlight to challenging comic book movies in the future — especially ones that feature lesser known characters. Where does that leave projects like Sam Mendes’ recently announced Preacher adaptation? Well, I wouldn’t expect to see Jesse, Tulip, and that hard-drinking Irish vampire Cassidy any time in the near future.”
Finally, the delay of “Watchmen” could take the wind of the sails for Hollywood as a whole. With “Watchmen” as the tentpole film of the early Spring season gone, that could diminish the ability of studios to hype other genre-related films such as “Star Trek” and the other summer blockbusters.  Also, many fans are planning to boycott Fox’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” should the legal battle continue. That’s two potential blockbusters gone from the first half of the year in terms of revenue for Hollywood and the studios.
And maybe the fear of losing money will be what wakes up Hollywood and makes sure we all get to see and enjoy “Watchmen” in March.
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ejdalise says
Given the ending of the graphic novel, and assuming it is not changed for the movie, I’m not likely to go see the movie. Might wait for it to come to DVD, but even then, without giving spoilers, the resolution at the end for me did not flow with what was an excellent and engrossing story.
But then, I’m weird that way.
Lejon from Chandler says
Damnit! First Fox fouls up our TV shows, now it’s fouling up our Movies, too?
Can’t the learn that any genre media they deign to involve themselves with gets fouled up? Why can’t they just leave the geeks a decent movie? Why?
***Expletives implied***