Christopher Nolan praises Zack Snyder's groundbreaking superhero film ahead of its time
Director Christopher Nolan praises Zack Snyder's Watchmen as a groundbreaking superhero film ahead of its time
Zack Snyder's film "Watchmen" was considered "ahead of its time" by Christopher Nolan, well before the director's cut of Justice League became a running joke. Both directors are experiencing success in 2023, with Nolan's film Oppenheimer doing well and Snyder preparing for the release of his new film, Rebel Moon.
Despite mixed reviews, Snyder's work has not always been praised, with the director's cut of Justice League recently mocked in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. Nolan, however, has great respect for one of Snyder's earlier superhero films, calling it "fascinating."
Christopher Nolan says Zack Snyder’s Watchmen was “ahead of its time”
According to an interview in The Hollywood Reporter, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan said that Zack Snyder’s Watchmen was “ahead of its time.”
In 2009, Watchmen was released, depicting a team of superheroes uniting after one of them is killed, determined to uncover the perpetrator. Little did they know, their investigation would lead to a shocking revelation that could spell doom for the entire world.
Nolan expressed his belief that Watchmen was ahead of its time in an email from the interview, stating, "The idea of a superhero team, which it so brilliantly subverts, wasn’t yet a thing in movies. It would have been fascinating to see it released post-Avengers." The email coincided with Christopher Nolan directing The Dark Knight, and Zack Snyder described him as a "close director friend."
The interview also indicated that Synder was one of the few directors who had early access to Oppenheimer, along with Paul Thomas Anderson, Todd Phillips, and Denis Villeneuve.
"Agreed. Even the opening credits of Watchmen are better than most movies," one fan tweeted. "I believe it influenced Zack Snyder's work on the DCEU that followed, but regardless, Watchmen is a stunning film that withstands the test of time, free from the constraints of a franchise."
Another person commented, "It's amazing to hear Christopher Nolan speak highly of Zack Snyder's WATCHMEN as being ahead of its time. Nolan's recognition of the film's groundbreaking approach to the superhero genre and its original subversion of team dynamics, particularly before the popularity of superhero team movies, provides an important perspective."
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I grew up watching superhero movies and have always been fascinated by the genre. I think it's amazing that Christopher Nolan, one of the most acclaimed directors of our time, has praised Zack Snyder's Watchmen as a groundbreaking film ahead of its time.
I agree with Nolan's assessment. Watchmen is a unique and thought-provoking film that deconstructs the superhero genre and explores the dark side of heroism. It's a film that is still relevant and powerful today, and I think it's a shame that it wasn't more appreciated when it was first released. I'm glad that Nolan has spoken out in support of Watchmen, and I hope that it will help more people to discover this incredible film.
