Summary
Watchmen Chapter 1is the first in a two-part animated adaptation of the acclaimed Allan Moore and Dave Gibbons comic set in an alternate history where costumed heroes emerge in the 1940s and 1960s and have an irreparable impact on America and the world. The movie follows former hero turned vigilante Rorschach as he investigates the strange death of government-sanctioned superhero The Comedian. As he delves deeper into the mystery, his retired colleagues, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, and Ozymandias must face their past and each other as their secrets are threatened and the world teeters closer to war.
The animation stays true tothe originalWatchmencomicsnot just with the animation style, but in adapting the story itself. The struggle of the former heroes as they attempt to discover what happened to one of their own and uncover dark truths about the world as well as each other. The voice cast includes powerhouse actors like Katee Sackhoff, Titus Welliver, Matthew Rhys, Troy Baker, and Rick D. Wasserman, who masterfully bring these complex characters to life through their performances.
Watchmen Chapter 1 & 2: Release Date, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know
A pair of new Watchmen animated films will be released in 2024, and a great deal of information about the upcoming release is now available.
Screen Rantcaught up with Katee Sackhoffto talk about her role in the animated movie,Watchmen Chapter 1. She revealed what stood out to her about Laurie Juspeczyk in the script and how she connected with her story. Sackhoff also touched on the responsibility she and everyone behind the scenes felt working on this adaptation. She also discussedthe future ofBattlestar Galacticaafter the reboot was scrapped.
Katee Sackhoff Connected With Laurie’s “Self-Doubt, Vulnerability, And Pain” In Watchmen Chapter 1
Screen Rant: I loveThe Watchmenand I think this is such a faithful adaptation of the graphic novel. It does such a wonderful job of putting you in the comic book panel and experiencing it as if you were reading the comic. Now, how familiar were you withThe Watchmangraphic novel before joining the project, and what were your initial thoughts on Laurie as a character?
Katee Sackoff: I was familiar in it that I don’t personally own it, but my brother did. So I had seen it and I knew of it very well because of the Snyder version as well. So for me, I think what was really important was I read the script, I tried to put myself in her shoes, and then I tried to figure out who she was at her core.
She’s an incredibly strong woman, obviously, but I think the thing that we see in her, or that I saw in her right off the bat was self-doubt, vulnerability, and pain. Those are things that I really wanted to have exist in her throughout the entire two parts.
This film was directed by Brandon [Vietti] and written by J. Michael Straczynski who is a genius when it comes to writing comics and television shows. How have you worked with both on this adaptation and how did their direction influence your performance?
Katee Sackoff: They’re both so talented and what they created in this was really special. I think fans of the book will see that they are also fans of the book and respected it so much, and the process was wonderful. I think that my job as an actor when I take a voiceover role is to make sure that the director in the writer’s division is coming through me and that they are getting what they want and that is my job.
So I took those things that we talked about earlier, that pain, that vulnerability, that self-doubt, and I made sure they knew that that’s what I wanted. And then from there, it’s them pulling out the story that they want and making sure that my voice pulls the audience in, and it was such a fun experience.
Katee Sackhoff Fully Understands “What It’s Like To Love Someone With All My Heart And Not Be Enough”
Reflecting on Laurie’s journey inThe Watchman Chapter 1, what aspects of her character did you personally resonate with?
Katee Sackoff: I fully understand what it’s like to love someone with all my heart and not be enough. I really do. I know what that feels like, and it is one of the worst feelings. So yeah, that right there was something that, I feel that in my core.
Laurie’s character undergoes significant growth, especially within the confines of both movies. Without giving away any spoilers, I mean, I’m sure a lot of folks have read the book, but how did you capture the evolution of Laurie throughout the film?
Katee Sackoff: So I think that honestly comes to trust. It is trusting the vision of the team that’s been assembled and trusting Brandon and really just staying true to what was written. I think we did a really good job. I think that the talent that they have assembled for this project is phenomenal. Not only just in the voiceover world, but in live action as well. I think that every single person plays their part perfectly, and I think that the fans are going to love this.
“There Are No Plans At This Point For Battlestar Galactica To Come Back”
You got me into modern Sci-Fi.Battlestar Galacticagot me into Modern Sci-Fi. I think it’s one of the greatest sci-fi shows out there. I never really watched the original, but I know there was going to be a reboot, but you want to return to that BSG world and are you excited to see their take on Starbuck?
Katee Sackoff: Actually, it was just announced last week that that fell apart. So there are no plans at this point for Battlestar Galactica to come back. I understand people’s disappointment, and I have always said because we were not involved in that re-imagining at all that I have always said that we don’t own this. We remade this 20 years after it was made the first time it’s been 20 years. It’s someone else’s.
They can do whatever they want to it, but I’ve always said as a person who loves the world, if they can find a story to tell, I’m on board. I can’t wait to see it. Obviously it didn’t work. So if someone else can come along and bring that to life, then all power to ‘em. I don’t know if I would have the ability to play Starbuck anymore in my life. It was 25 years ago, 20 years ago.
I guess I’m aging myself. I don’t even know how long ago it was. That’s how old I am kidding. But she was so angsty and so youthful and so I don’t know. I don’t know if I have that in me. It would definitely be a different Starbucks for sure.
More About Watchmen Chapter 1
In an alternate world history shaped by superheroes, once-celebrated “costumed adventurers” have been banned by a society disenchanted with vigilantism. Now, in 1985, the murder of The Comedian, a hero-turned-government operative, draws the attention of Rorschach, the last of the outlawed vigilantes. Rorschach’s investigation embroils his retired colleagues, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias, in conflict with their pasts, with each other and in a mystery that threatens their lives and a world on the brink of war.
Check out our otherWatchmen Chapter 1interviews here:
Watchmen Chapter 1is available on digital now and will release on Blu-ray and 4K on August 27.
Watchmen: Chapter 1
Cast
A mysterious murder in an alternate 1985 sets the stage for an unraveling conspiracy involving former superheroes in this animated update of the classic series. As tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalate, masked vigilantes grapple with their pasts while confronting a dark truth that could change the world forever.
