COOL STUFF
Check This Out: Dr. Manhattan Appears Over River Thames
by Alex Billington
March 5, 2009
As part of a final extravagant promotion for Watchmen, a gigantic 100 ft. tall Dr. Manhattan was project over the River Thames in London last night. This dramatic, one-off spectacle was created using the world's biggest water screen projector. The screen, moored especially for this occasion in the middle of the Thames between the London Eye and The Shell Building, created an enormous vertical screen of water on which Watchmen footage was projected in order to showcase Dr. Manhattan's translucent and shimmering form in dramatic and gigantic effect. I'm a sucker for unique one-off promotions and this was pretty cool.
We've added a few more photos below, including the projected version of The Comedian's badge, aka the smiley face, that also was shown. There are a couple of videos that can be watched here and here.
It's kind of funny that Dr. Manhattan (as in, New York City) appeared up in London. Why not do something like this in New York, too? Anyway, I love these kind of elaborate promotions. Sure it may cost a whole lot of money and didn't get that much exposure, but it was fun and it was unique, and I'm a supporter of marketing that is both fun and unique. Plus at this point, I don't think I need to tell anyone that Watchmen hits theaters tomorrow. I'm sure everyone in England knows, too, because that's where Alan Moore lives, so it's not like they're not familiar with the graphic novel. Anyway, bravo to Paramount for this publicity stunt.
Reader Feedback - 18 Comments
1
I was there, it was AWESOME
Kaiser on Mar 5, 2009
2
I like how you immediately assume that because Alan Moore lives in England, everyone in England is familiar with the graphic novel! 😐
Ganados on Mar 5, 2009
3
It was cold but I barely noticed because the show was wicked!
SYOCC on Mar 5, 2009
4
"I'm sure everyone in England knows, too, because that's where Alan Moore lives" 😆 The Manhattan projection is truly epic though o_O
Mister_Bubbles on Mar 5, 2009
5
Ive been watching some of the Youtube footage, and I wasnt too impressed. Infact, the comments on Youtube from people who were there were all negitive, as in in was really small and not impressive. Would have loved to see it myself though.
Marcus on Mar 5, 2009
6
"I'm sure everyone in England knows, too, because that's where Alan Moore lives, so it's not like they're not familiar with the graphic novel." Yeah, and that's why Led Zeppelin was such a huge hit when they debuted in England. :-\ (For those who are unaware, Led Zeppelin were completely ignored by the British so they left for America, became famous, and then the British wanted them back.) That was a pretty stupid comment, Alex. As far as this event goes, I've seen them project more impressive things by far.
Zso on Mar 5, 2009
7
too bad it didn't turn out well, that doesn't look "awesome" at all.
troy on Mar 5, 2009
8
Even if it didn't look that great; and I agree the youtube footage is underwhelming to say the least, I'm totally willing to mark out just for what an awesome idea it was. I think this is cooler than the Batman symbol in NYC before The Dark Knight, although I imagine it didn't look as cool.
melvis316 on Mar 5, 2009
9
Alan Moore lives and Dave Gibbons, the artist, is english and probably lives there also. Probably just as popular over there as it is here in the states.
B Mo on Mar 5, 2009
10
Pretty cool marketing technique, not sure if people got the reference the way they would with batman though.
Craig on Mar 5, 2009
12
Thats no projection, i will be in New York tonight.
Dr. Manhatten on Mar 5, 2009
13
Now THERES a Blue Man...
The Joker on Mar 5, 2009
14
I hate blue lights.
Francis on Mar 5, 2009
15
16
Well i for one remember a frame of Watchmen being set in England anyway! So damn right it should come here. Although seeing as Moore totally disowned himself from anything to do with the Watchmen Movie, its not really appropriate. But thats everyone reading too much into it, i agree, it is DAMN COOL 😛
Stuart Mellor on Mar 5, 2009
17
Who cares? Unless Dr. Manhattan killed off all those filthy fog-breathers, this isn't news. "Oh some British communists saw a light show." WOW EXCITING. I'm just kidding, that's pretty neat.
Syphous on Mar 6, 2009
18
Amazing, simply amazing, this is art more than anything. I envy you guys for beeing there
Jackie on Aug 2, 2009
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