The 'Watchmen' UK premiere

Things to Do

The 'Watchmen' UK premiere

Photos from the London premiere of the "Watchmen" movie.

Fanboys, it's here. Twenty-three years in the making, the 'Watchmen' movie premiered in London on Monday, Feb. 23. The main cast, from left: Jackie Earle Hayley, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, creator Dave Gibbons, producer Deborah Snyder, director Zack Snyder, Billy Crudup and Patrick Wilson.

Comic book illustrator and writer Dave Gibbons worked with writer Alan Moore on the original 'Watchmen' comic book in the mid-1980s. Although Gibbons acted as a consultant on the film, Moore has famously distanced himself from any movie adaptions of his work.

Silk Spectre II and I: Swedish actress Malin Akerman, left, and U.S. actress Carla Gugino play daughter and mother superheroines, respectively, in the adaption of the apocalyptic graphic novel.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays The Comedian, a superhero with questionable ethics. The 'Watchmen' graphic novel, called by some the 'Citizen Kane' of comics, examines how superheroes would change the course of history if they actually existed.

Billy Crudup plays Dr. Manhattan, an all-powerful, blue-glowing good guy who has lost touch with his humanity. Moviegoers will, hurm, see a lot of him. (His character spends much of the film in frontal nudity.)

Jackie Earle Haley plays Rorschach, a psychotic trenchcoat hero who suspects that someone is killing off superheroes. The story is set in an alternate version of 1985 where Richard Nixon is still president and costumed superheroes, once a vigilante trend, have been outlawed.

Patrick Wilson plays Nite Owl, a retired superhero who has settled into a quiet middle-aged life. Early reviews of the film have been mostly positive. Mike Rogogna of Huffington Post says: "It will demand your attention and intelligence as it entertains."

Malin Akerman plays Silk Spectre II, wife of Dr. Manhattan and a woman who grudgingly carries on her mother's superhero career. The movie's graphic violence and sexual content make this one superhero flick that you shouldn't bring the kids to.

Matthew Goode plays Ozymandias, an Egyptian-inspired hero who cashes in on his fame as a superhero and builds a business empire. The London Times calls the film "a movie that is reaching utterly beyond the confines of its genre."

Director Zack Snyder (seen here with his wife, producer Deborah Snyder) was previously known for his work on another graphic-novel movie adaption, "300." Other directors have tried to bring 'Watchmen' to the screen over the years, including Terry Gilliam and Darren Aronofsky.

1/10

Fanboys, it's here. Twenty-three years in the making, the 'Watchmen' movie premiered in London on Monday, Feb. 23. The main cast, from left: Jackie Earle Hayley, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, creator Dave Gibbons, producer Deborah Snyder, director Zack Snyder, Billy Crudup and Patrick Wilson.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Spring training Day 5 (Saturday)

PHOTOS: Day 5 of spring training for the Braves

Valentines for Veterans

Metro Atlanta students write valentines to veterans

GHSA Championship, Dance, Akins Ford Arena, Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

Spring Training Day 3 (Thursday)

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville