When Zack Snyder does an interview, the internet is gripped by what wild declaration he will make.
In the latest must-watch interview, this time with the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Snyder dives into all things Watchmen. Taking time from promoting Rebel Moon: Part Two – The Scargiver [read our review here], the filmmaker tells us that two massive Hollywood stars were up for Watchmen.
First, he touches on originally wanting Tom Cruise for the villainous Ozymandias, but he says the actor wanted to go for the more shocking and in-your-face role of Rorschach. The filmmaker casually lets it drop in the interview: “I wanted Cruise for Ozymandias; he wanted to play Rorschach,” said Snyder.
While Snyder knows that Cruise “obviously could’ve done” the role, he was locked into Jackie Earle Haley’s now-iconic performance. He added, “I certainly would’ve considered Tom, in retrospect, if I hadn’t had Jackie.”
As he drops one bombshell, Snyder also gives life to the long-standing rumor that Keanu Reeves was up for Dr. Manhattan, though it was nothing seriously considered. “I think — my wife is a huge Keanu fan; she’s always bringing up Keanu for every role,” Snyder said. “So it makes sense to me that we probably talked about that. He’s probably a good [choice for] Dr. Manhattan, but [Billy] Crudup is insane.”
Zack Syder infamously adapted Watchmen, the Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons’ acclaimed graphic novel, in 2009. The film received mixed to positive reviews from fans and critics, didn’t make a massive impression at the box office, but has lived on as one of the vital superhero works of the modern era.
Watchmen is one of the most acclaimed comic book works, recognized in Time’s List of the 100 Best Novels. In 2012, DC published Before Watchmen, a series of nine prequel miniseries, and Doomsday Clock, a 12-issue limited series and sequel to the original Watchmen series, from 2017 to 2019, without Moore’s or Gibbons’ involvement.
SEE ALSO: Zack Snyder’s Watchmen at 15
DC is reportedly revisiting Watchmen, this time through animation with a brand-new take on the classic. Meanwhile, you can check out Snyder’s appearance on Happy Sad Confused below…
Originally published April 20, 2024. Updated April 21, 2024.
