Watchmen "comic-inside-a-comic": 03/10/09, Watchmen ultimate ed. later

[Grubert]

Tales of the Black Freighter, the metafictional comic-book being read inside the Watchmen graphic novel, is being made as an animated feature, to be released direct to DVD five days after the theatrical opening of Watchmen. Watchmen and TotBF will probably be editer together later on a "megamovie" edition.

Warner Tries a New Tactic to Revive Its DVD Sales

LOS ANGELES — Retail’s love affair with the DVD is on the rocks and Warner Brothers Entertainment would like to patch things up.
Faced with a decline in DVD sales, Warner Brothers, part of Time Warner, is planning an unusual effort around its upcoming adaptation of the popular graphic novel “Watchmen”. Directed by Zack Snyder and set for a March 2009 release, the big-budget movie tells the story of a group of retired superheroes who are tied to a conspiracy that could change history.

The twist is that Mr. Snyder, known for turning the Spartan comic book series “300” into a global hit movie, is also directing a separate-but-related picture that Warner plans to distribute exclusively on DVD.

The second film, tentatively called “Tales of the Black Freighter,” follows a side “Watchmen” storyline about a shipwreck and will arrive in stores five days after the main movie rolls out in theaters. The DVD will also include a documentary-style film called “Under the Hood” that will delve into the characters’ backstories.

Source: New York Times

[HDJK]

Interesting. I think the basic idea of making a movie of TotbF is great, but...

“It’s a fresh idea and it’s something that will be of value to movie fans.”

...the way they release it is only of value to WB. If you want to see it you have to buy or rent the DVD. If you want to re-experience 'Watchmen' you have to get the DVD/BD. And if you want the über movie you have to get yet another release.

If they released a regular edition of WM and a special edition with TotbF at the same time I would applaud the idea. This way WB won't be seeing any of my money until they release the whole affair.

But maybe they won't make it into one movie anyway (main feature 3 hours long, / live action-animation).

[Grubert]

My WAG timeline:

March 6, 2009: Watchmen (without TotBF) released in theaters
March 10, 2009: Tales of the Black Freighter released on DVD and BD
July 2009: Watchmen released on DVD and BD (without TotBF)
December 2009: Watchmen Ultimate Edition DVD and BD (with TotBF edited together with main movie)

I'm not sure where the "Watchmen Motion Comic" will fit in.

[Zyclone]

iv'e never read the comic but im looking forward to seeing the movie.

[Beast]

No clue why they don't release it before hand, if they're looking to increase interest in the film.