Watchmen @ WonderCon

My mission was clear on Saturday: get into the "Watchmen" panel. By the time I reached Moscone Center South, the line was out the door. But I got in, so YAY!

Billy Crudup and Malin Akerman

Dave Gibbons, Patrick Wilson, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan

LA Times blogger Geoff Boucher moderated the panel which included directer Zack Snyder, artist Dave Gibbons, and the whole cast -- minus Matthew Goode (Ozymandias/Adrien Veidt).

Attendees were treated to the first 20 minutes of the film, which was definitely unexpected. Amazing, awesome, and any other adjective along those lines do not even begin to describe how, uh, amazingly awesome the first 20 minutes were.

Snyder gave the scoop on a few things related to the movie including the DVD release of "Tales of the Black Freighter/Under the Hood" (we blogged about it, remember?). Everyone who is familiar with the graphic novel knows that "Tales of the Black Freighter" is a comic within a comic and it's story mirrors that of what's going on in the Watchmen's universe. Getting to my point, a 3 and 1/2 hour version of "Watchmen" will be put together along with the animated footage of "The Black Freighter" put in where it appeared in the original graphic novel. Snyder also wants to do a theatrical release of a director's cut version sometime in July. This'll include things like **SPOLIER ALERT** Hollis' death (which won't be shown in the original release) and more of Dr. Manhattan's "naked blueness."

Oh, and if you're one of those people that are wondering about the sequel, you can forget about it. Snyder, along with everyone else in the Esplande Ballroom, hissed at the thought.

"It's like a sequel to Moby Dick," he said.

Sadly, my camera's SD card was acting up so I only have one video from the panel to share with you all. Here's Patrick Wilson talking about how his character, Dan Drieberg/Nite Owl II, is the one that most fans identify with and root for . . .

[all photos and video courtesy of Nina Penalosa]

I think my favorite question asked was directed to Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays the Comedian. During the Q&A a fan said that his portrayal of the Comedian was awesome (apparently this kid got to watch the special WonderCon midnight showing on Friday), but wanted to know if he would ever consider playing someone who doesn't die.

Y'all know his brief stint on "Grey's Anatomy" right? Okay then. 'Nuff said.

Don't forget, "Watchmen" is out this Friday, the 6th!