Patrick Wilson commends Zack Snyder's Watchmen and credits it for paving the way for The Avengers. Debuting in 2009, the film is an adaptation of the popular DC Comics series, delving into an alternative history where superheroes arise from 1939 to 1977 and profoundly shape the United States' trajectory. Faced with a peril that endangers all superheroes, a group of morally complex vigilantes embarks on a mission to confront it. Despite divided opinions among fans of the original material, Wilson staunchly believes in the film's groundbreaking aspect.-
He has nothing but admiration for Snyder's film, confessing that it is one of the few movies he has starred in that compelled him to watch it over again. Wilson proceeds to explain his belief that Watchmen played a crucial role in preparing the way for The Avengers.
"Watchmen is the only one of my films that I've watched from beginning to end since its premiere. That film is truly amazing. I wanted to share it with my son. I might have also wanted to skip past the scene with me and Malin [Akerman] in the spaceship. I needed to keep a close eye on it, you know. As an older guy and a filmmaker, I wanted to analyze it. I knew that Zack [Snyder] was really ahead of his time. It might sound strange to say that audiences weren't quite ready for it, but we need movies like that. We need them to delve into darkness so that movies like the Avengers can take us to the light. I genuinely believe in that. Anyway, I absolutely love Watchmen. The idea of working on that movie now would be absolutely incredible. Seriously, I think it would be so awesome to do it now."
How Watchmen Changed Superhero Movie History
Watchmen, an early modern superhero film, premiered before the creation of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and during the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Nowadays, the influence of Watchmen can be clearly observed in both the DCEU and MCU. It may seem unlikely that a dark and gritty film that exposed the darker aspects of heroes and society would have any impact on films like Aquaman and Ant-Man. However, Watchmen actually played a significant role in inspiring the DCEU.
Firstly, the film demonstrated the ability to successfully bring comic books to life and explore unique and thought-provoking subjects. Undoubtedly, this influenced Warner Bros. decision to select Snyder as the director of Man of Steel and initiate the DCEU. Furthermore, the DCEU has revolved around several of Watchmen's themes, particularly the portrayal of flawed heroes. Films such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Birds of Prey delve into the world of anti-heroes and the blurred lines between good and evil. These films bring back the central themes of Watchmen, focusing on questions of morality, the corruption of humanity, and the intricacies of right versus wrong.
Watchmen not only paved the way for the DCEU, but also left its mark on the MCU. The dark and gritty portrayal of humanity and heroes, as seen in Watchmen and The Boys, is captivating. However, it is natural to desire a more lighthearted and hopeful alternative after watching these films. Moreover, the profound commentary on humanity found in Watchmen can also be observed in Marvel projects, such as the recent TV series Secret Invasion. By offering a fresh outlook on superheroes, Watchmen played a significant role in shaping the history of superhero movies, serving as an inspiration for both the DCEU and MCU.
