Watchmen: Here's The 2003 Test Footage From David Hayter's Planned Adaptation

Zach Snyder's Watchmen, which released in 2009, was not the first planned adaptation of Alan Moore's hit graphic novel--the first plans for a Watchmen movie trace back to the early 90s, with several other attempts happening between then and the eventual film release. David Hayter, who received a screenplay credit on Snyder's film, originally had plans to direct a version of it. Today, test footage he shot in 2003 has emerged, digitalised from VHS. The scene, from early in the story, depicts the first time we see Nite Owl (played by Iain Glen here) and Rorschach (Ray Stevenson) interact in the story. The score was arranged by Joe Kraemer.

Hayter, who also wrote the screenplay for 2000's X-Men, is best known to many as the voice of Solid Snake in the Metal Gear Solid series up until Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, when he was replaced by Kiefer Sutherland. This is the "final, color corrected" footage; Hayter tweeted it out after an earlier version, which was further from the book, was released. Rorschach's mask does not shift in this scene, but test footage is generally not heavy on effects.

The Watchmen television series currently airing on HBO is a direct follow-up to the original book, and has aired six of its nine episodes. If you're watching along, check out our list of Easter eggs and references from the stellar sixth episode.