There is a S.Q.U.I.D in the Watchmen Movie

There is a S.Q.U.I.D in the Watchmen Movie

Zack Snyder did indeed include a squid in the Watchmen ending. It's just not the one you think...

By ComicBookMovie - Feb 18, 2009 04:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Watchmen
Source: Chud

Sharp-eyed CHUD reporter Devin Faraci found it in the preview he saw...

Some fans have been up in arms that Zack Snyder changed elements of the end of the story, specifically removing a giant alien squid from the climax (told you it was a spoiler if you hadn't read it). More reasonable fans understand that a giant alien squid wouldn't quite work in the movie.

But eagle eyed moviegoers will realize that Zack DID keep the squid. Just maybe not in the way you might expect.

In the film Adrian Veidt and Dr. Manhattan are working together on a project that will replicate Manhattan's energy, providing free and unlimited power to the world. That project? SQUID, the logo for which is briefly visible.

"I'm glad you caught that," Zack said when I complimented him on getting the squid in the movie. And what does SQUID stand for? "Sub Quantum Intrinsic Device."

As for how that SQUID plays into the larger film... You'll have to wait until March 6th to find out.

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imandrew
imandrew - 2/18/2009, 4:58 PM
Thats cool I guess, but doesn't that mean that the squid just ended up changing another part of the movie, LOL. Its cool I don't care what they changed at this point, as long is it is a kick as movie and stays at least some what close to the Graphic novel I will be happy.
MisterNiceGuy
MisterNiceGuy - 2/18/2009, 4:58 PM
ok?
CyborgNinja
CyborgNinja - 2/18/2009, 5:01 PM
Giant alien squid becomes an acronym for a science project. Totally uncool trade-off... A movie about a bunch of dinky super heroes and you're worried about how a giant squid would affect it?
ManOfIron
ManOfIron - 2/18/2009, 5:18 PM
i really wish i was a fan of Watchmen prior to the announcement of the movie. Then i wouldn't feel like a tool who all of a sudden becomes a fanatic. ya know what i mean? kinda like Twilight. i never read the books or saw the movie but a lot of people i know only read the books b/c everyone was reading them cuz they heard a movie was being made. not true fans. o well i'll probly get this when it comes out on dvd. idk enough about it to spend 8.50-11 dollars on this :) but i'm not dissing it in any way! promise!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 2/18/2009, 5:19 PM
Actually Dr Manhatten is the only element of Watchmen that is in any way "other worldly" until that [frick]ing phsychic 5th dimenstional phalomod turns up! I always thought it seemed a bit out of place in the book and to be honest im glad they replaced it because it would have been WAAAAAY out of place in a movie..[frick] CALAMARI..now fanboys, commence puffing
ManOfIron
ManOfIron - 2/18/2009, 5:23 PM
yeah see i have no clue what you're talkin about Rorsch lol
Hyson
Hyson - 2/18/2009, 5:23 PM
"Some fans have been up in arms...."
You know what? What the hell? I'm going to go ahead and get up in arms about this. You wanna see crazy, Devin Faraci? You'll get crazy. You know what movie they kept the ending the same as? The Passion of Christ. Watchmen is my Passion of Christ, and the squid is my Jesus. How the hell're you going to do that movie without Jesus? You don't, do you? No, you don't. You might as well crucify me here and now. Toss me into the sea so I can live with the giant squid. It'd be much more pleasant than listening to dull-witted reviewers and "more reasonable fans."

"More reasonable fans understand that a giant alien squid wouldn't quite work in the movie."
Really now? Because I'm pretty effing sure that I've seen plenty of movies with squids in them. You know, I watched this one movie with this guy in blue tights and a red cape. LOL. HE LIKE... STOPPED A PLANE FROM HITTING THE GROUND AND CHUNKED AWAY A HUGE FORMATION OF A MATERIAL THAT HE WAS WEAK AGAINST. LOL HE FLIES. Hell, I thought you could do anything in a movie. I guess more reasonable fans are lacking an imagination.

"But eagle eyed moviegoers" a.k.a. himself. What a cocky prick.

"SQUID, the logo for which is briefly visible."
Yay, an easter egg instead of the correct ending....

"In the film Adrian Veidt and Dr. Manhattan are working together on a project that will replicate Manhattan's energy, providing free and unlimited power to the world."
Taken from comicvine.com; Dr. Manhattan's powers:
Complete awareness and control of basic atomic particles.
• Size alteration.
• Can change the coloration of his skin, as well as the composition of his clothing.
• Density Control.
• Can reverse entropy.
• Precognition/Post cognition (in terms of his perception of time).
• Can augment his strength to unknown limits.
• Does not appear to age.
• Does not seem to require food, water, or air.
• Immortality.
• Invulnerable.
• Can create copies of himself which act independently of each other, but operate in an intelligent collective fashion.
• Creation of Force Fields.
• Can transmute matter into different states or even different types of matter.
• Can create matter.
• Teleportation.
• Telekinesis.
Now, tell me... WHY would he need Veidt's help? He exerts a pretty amazing amount of skill over his own powers and seems to be aware of the potential and manipulation of them.


Only a couple of weeks until the movie. I stand by my opinion. I hope that this movie is still very satisfying for the majority of you though even if it isn't for me. This will be the last Watchmen article I post on until after I've seen it.
ManOfIron
ManOfIron - 2/18/2009, 5:30 PM
as much as this movie has been through, you need to watch what you ask for. They may push this movie back again b/c they read something on here lol knock on wood for fans of this lol
Spoon366
Spoon366 - 2/18/2009, 5:42 PM
Hyson
I think you need to go see a shrink man.
haha
Are you really calling the squid jesus ?

I mean, I'm just as big of a fan as any of you.
And I don't care what you say about my obsession with watchmen, cause you don't even know me.
So you can't tell me you love it more.
But anyways
I can see why they took the squid out.
It makes more sense without it.
I just don't see it working.
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 2/18/2009, 6:10 PM
Agreed Spoon...I could see it working, however it would be another 30 minutes of explaining it, and the big wigs won't allow a movie that long, the thing is already over 2 and a half hours...Now, don't get me wrong, i would rather watch a 5 hour long movie than a cut up one, but this is one adaptation that looks like it was done right. I think that the new ending will be fine, in keeping the same essence. Veidt still gets away with it, The world is united due to a false scare and Doc M can leave to make his own "earth." I cannot wait for this movie, I'm just as big a fan as anyone else, and have full faith for this movie
NoobMike
NoobMike - 2/18/2009, 7:03 PM
davidzuck, if what he needed was half an hour to get the squid, knowing Snyder and from what we have heard he could have cut his slo-mo effects and he'd probably have had more than his 30 minutes needed to develop whatever he wants.

I feel they pulled a DBE on us, look it is a squid, it just evolved into S.Q.U.I.D. now that's lame.

As for Hyson, well many people could get offended with you comparing Jesus to a squid, but everyone can have their own religion and everyone should be respectful of that.

Spoon366, you tell Hyson to go see a shrink, he can believe whatever he wants, as for you... well not only are you judging Hyson for his beliefs, but you are delusionally sure that it makes more sense without the squid in it and I'm guessing you haven't even seen the movie yet, maybe you should be the one sitting on the shrink's couch.

Ror, you'll regret saying that... you will be drowning in calamari soon enough!
ElBeaster
ElBeaster - 2/18/2009, 7:15 PM
Wow, Hyson, that was actually very smartly written. I used to think you as a tool, but you're not a tool.
IonParallax
IonParallax - 2/18/2009, 7:35 PM
OK. Well, at LEAST it's evolved into something. An homage to the actual squid, which, like Ror, I felt it was always out of place, it seemed too fanciful for the Watchmen series and I was somewhat "meh" about the whole thing. I KNOW it was supposed to be "too fanciful" that was Veidt's whole idea, I got that part, I've read the comics and I own to paperback, I know what it was meant for.

As for equating the squid to Jesus, nice move Hyson. I don't mean that in any condescending way whatsoever, just making a statement that, that is a decent and understandable analogy.

I LOVE CALAMARI! It's the bomb. The 5th dimensional phalamoid probably wouldn't be as tasty. Although it is much more colorful, and color does entice hunger. That's a whole different subject altogether.

I thin the thing was, HE didn't need Veidt's help, Veidt needed his, ALSO, if I can so boldly make this "assumption", if Manhattan were to reproduce his abilities in a machine, he would make it as complex as he. I do believe the collaborative efforts are to dumb it down a little for the rest of humanity in case Manhattan "disappeared" as he did, and was nowhere around to explain to people how this machine worked. So, in all, the collaboration, as I stated would be to make t more user friendly and be able to be utilized by us mere mortals as opposed to the all-powerful Dr. Manhattan.
mativ16
mativ16 - 2/18/2009, 8:00 PM
This is stupid. Your not a true fan if you don't want the actual squid in the movie. I agree with Hyson. I think Snyder didn't have the balls to put the real squid in. I'm sick of these "fans" saying that a the squid wouldn't work like they know. Like the alternative is better. At the end of the graphic novel the world unites to defend itself from a possible alien invasion. How can they defeat Dr. M? He's practically god. How would the world be able to defend itself from that? Plus why would he leave at the end? He's got the world he could control. Not having the squid is stupid, And like I said your not true fan if you don't want it.
IonParallax
IonParallax - 2/18/2009, 8:25 PM
I'm so tired of hearing "you're not a true fan." that's such a ridiculous line people. SERIOUSLY, who the hell are YOU to judge the level of fandom any one person has? Oh, you're just another fan, or more appropriately titled "fanboy".

You are not one to judge the extent of how much someone is a fan of something, because they don't care to see the freakin' squid, seriously? That's absolutely ignorance there pal. You have no say in how much of a fan someone is, YES, if that person is saying they're a fan, yet don't know the last thing about the history of the comic/graphic novel, then ok, judge their fandom. HOWEVER, if it's someone like ME, who read Watchmen in 89, then read the graphic novel just recently, and can tell you what goes on in the story, who the characters are, what the subtext is, knows what the Black Freighter and Under the Hood are, can tell you where Rorschachs mask came from and WHO was wearing giant fake tits in the book is, then I think that makes me a fan. Since well, I know pretty much all you can know about the book by reading it, and I like it and am anticipating the movie, I think THAT makes me a fan. NOT whether some god-forsaken Phalamoid is in the damn movie.
JigJRod55
JigJRod55 - 2/18/2009, 8:41 PM
Mainly I just wish they had left the squid in the movie because the squid was awesome.
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 2/18/2009, 8:42 PM
yeah mativ16...who are you to judge? Did good ol' Alan tell you, "yes, you may judge who is truly a fan of my book."? NO! so shut your mouth.
mativ16
mativ16 - 2/18/2009, 8:45 PM
I'm sorry your not a true fan IonParallax! "Shut your mouth" What davidzuck? Are you like 8. I'll judge all I want. Welcome to the real world.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 2/18/2009, 8:47 PM
Fandom can't be measured, I know people who buy tons of toys from a series and they know nothing of it (Transformers comes to mind). Does that make them more or less of a fan than someone who has read and watched everything there is of that series?

Every fan has a different experience from whatever it is they follow, it happens in music, in books, in movies, in comic books. Everyone draws on different aspects of whatever they are fans of, anyway I agree with Ion a bit, but like I said I know people that know nothing of a story yet I wouldn't say they aren't fans of it, just that they have a different relationship to the series. There is no such thing as a true fan.
blacksword7
blacksword7 - 2/18/2009, 9:08 PM
It's 5th Dimensional Phalymapod!!!!!! just thought i would correct u guys.
JeremyBentham
JeremyBentham - 2/18/2009, 9:29 PM
I think that the whole Squid ending was awesome, but I'm also fine with it not being in the movie. As long as the general motivation of Veidt is the same, that's really all that matters, not the actual instrument he uses to go about doing it. In fact, the whole Squid thing is kind of over drawn-out...aside from the short scenes showing it being created in which you have no idea what's going on, you only see the Squid for like a second in the story. It's just suddenly there and all these people die. But in order to get that, you don't need a giant alien squid, Snyder's ending suffices. I'm just saying that a Squid is not needed to really carry out the message of the story...I think people get caught up in the fantastic image of this Squid creature, but the Squid itself isn't important, its what the Squid represents: uniting the human people, thus bringing peace and ending war. If Snyder's movie ending portrays that very important point, that's all that matters. Someone who really understands the novel will be able to read beyond the colorful picture of a squid and see it not for its literal presence but for its philisophical purpose, which can be carried out in other methods. I guess we'll just have to see how the movie pulls it off...
Joker1zero
Joker1zero - 2/18/2009, 9:39 PM
cool
FalconX2
FalconX2 - 2/18/2009, 10:37 PM
This gives me mixed emotions...

On one side, it means the movie is done by a person who respects the source and recognizes what something like the squid means to a lot of the fans.

However, it also means he knows what the squid means, yet he chose to appeal to the general audience.

Of course the movie does still have to make money, so the general audience is very important...

I guess really all this proves is that I would be a terrible director.
xaosjerk
xaosjerk - 2/19/2009, 2:24 AM
No falconX2, your conclusion is based on an assumption: The movie couldn't have the squid in it and make money.

The truth is that a Zack Snyder watchmen with the squid could easily make money. The general audience isn't as dense as people make them out to be. However this doesn't mean that the movie won't be great anyway. I don't know why everyone has to justify the decision or evangelize about it. Either it must have been done for some critical reason or it's a high form of treason, or both.

It can also be just something that is dumb to have been changed that won't prevent the movie from being fantastic. This is a perfectly logical analysis of the situation that only I seem to hold, in a more reasonable world I aught to have some company in that conclusion, but you're all totalitarians of one kind or another.
FalconX2
FalconX2 - 2/19/2009, 2:47 AM
"No falconX2, your conclusion is based on an assumption"

Well duh... :P
I've never had to make a movie, or a movie adaptation.

You think I would hang out on sites like this for movie news if I was involved in the business?...

Jeezus, if any of the movie makers read the posts on here there would be constant news of Hollywood suicides, we put them through the F'n ringer.

Though I am flattered that you apparently think I could be a director... ;)
xaosjerk
xaosjerk - 2/19/2009, 5:18 AM
RE: falconX2

I don't have any particular knowledge of you that you could or couldn't be a director other than your claim that you couldn't be, since that's my only info to go on I'll differ to your conclusion for now.

RE: Quagmire

I'm quite happy the site does so since I'm rather obsessed with this movie (moreso than I have been for anything since LOTR)
shiverman20
shiverman20 - 2/19/2009, 5:50 AM
This is good news, the squid would have been ridiculous in live action anyway but it's nice to see little touches like this for the fanboys!

I've been reading this website for years now and although I don't post much, I'm here everyday looking at updates and user feedback. I've just started up a blog with music, tv and film news and although it's rough at the moment I was hoping some of you guys could come join me on it while it picks up momentum?

Check it out at http://basementbrain.blogspot.com/
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 2/19/2009, 6:51 AM
Awwww whats the matter fanboys? did the bad snydey widey not put your ickle squiddy widdy in his big movie? Its ok, pick your toys up and put them back in your pram..iv told you time and time again now that he wasnt making this film just for you..."WAAAAAAAA"..now now thats very selfish and unreasonable "WAAAAAAAAAAA"...oh cmon now hes not burning every copy of the book, you still have "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"...ok take your dody now, good boy..its just a little drop of cyanide...
JorDAMN
JorDAMN - 2/19/2009, 7:01 AM
Not that I am saying this is right, but what really makes me laugh is that most of those who see their own opinions about this book and film adaptation as higher value than others' (so-called "true fans") will still go see the movie. I'm guessing some will not, but 99% of them will, thus reassuring Snyder and Warner Brothers that removing the squid was the right thing to do.
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 2/19/2009, 7:49 AM
This editorializing really pisses me off. "More reasonable fans understand that a giant alien squid wouldn't quite work in the movie". What an arrogant and condescending thing to say! I was under the mistaken belief that this is SUPPOSED to be a news site reporting straight stories about things related to movies about comic books and their characters, not what some arrogant little fanboy thinks from the depths of his mother's basement. Opinions belong in the comments section following the articles, unless the article is labeled as being an opinion piece.

The correct wording here would be more along the lines of "some fans believe that a giant alien squid just wouldn't quite work in the movie". That is much more truthful and is not condescending towards those of opposing viewpoints.

Anyway, I'm quite reasonable, and I see no good reason why the squid would NOT work in the movie. Why is it "good enough" for a story that has been universally acclaimed since its release 20 years ago but it's not "good enough" for a movie based upon it? It's cute that Snyder called the project Veidt and Manhattan are working on "Project SQUID", but it's not the same thing.
Shaman
Shaman - 2/19/2009, 7:57 AM
Well... i was all up for the non-squid ending. BUT, i hate to say this... Hyson has a damn good point(about Superman, not Jesus). None the less i'm sure Snyder will do a bang up job with what he "envisionned". The problem with this article to me is that...enough already, yaknow? Like, this is just adding insult to ingury here. He knows damn well that fans are up and arms about the "slo-mo", and even more so about the squidless ending. And yet, everywhere you look, his name has to be somewhere as the "slo-mo visionnary of 300" and now he manages to incorporate the squid in a manner that would make the "less reasonable fans" (LMFAO) want to lapidate his ass. He's really turning into one hell of a cocky prick, day by day!!! He should hire Bale or somethin for his next movie. Maybe that's why he has a hard on for TDKR LOL :P
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 2/19/2009, 8:14 AM
Mmmm...I could argue over the internet...but I have a brain...so, No. Let's stick to commentin on the article
IonParallax
IonParallax - 2/19/2009, 8:51 AM
Well, it has been stated by obviously someone wit superior intellect and judgmental skills than I; I am not a true fan. I'm sorry folks, I guess I've been posing this whole time and I have finally been found out...Tis a sad sad day when someone like myself comes to a true fansite and tries to put himself or herself off as a true fan, when there are a myriad of people who obviously know better. My apologies to all, especially the ones I couldn't fool with my dastardly wit and off-color responses...One mroe thing before I go.

BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS DUDE! Your opinion on my level of fandom is null and void. So, keep it to yourself, that is all.
TucsonRican
TucsonRican - 2/19/2009, 9:02 AM
As long as it ends with Rorschach's Journal being at the New Frontiesmen office, then all is well for me.
Hyson
Hyson - 2/19/2009, 9:49 AM
Well, shoot, I didn't stir up near as much trouble with my opinions as I thought I would. Needs more Jesus juice.

@Spoon366: I am majoring in psychology. Maybe, I should take a look at myself.
@ElBeaster: Thank you for taking me out of the tool shed.
@IonParallax: "I do believe the collaborative efforts are to dumb it down a little for the rest of humanity" This made me laugh because what I imagined was Veidt basically building a Mac. ;) "I'm so tired of hearing "you're not a true fan."" Agreed. In none of my posts do I attack anyone's level of knowledge or devotion to the novel nor should anyone else - it is irrelevant in the case of the movie because it is already made. Also, there will be plenty more fans that come AFTER they see the movie... and they will be much more annoying. I'll get a chuckle when they start telling people who have read the novel how it REALLY goes. ;p
@xaosjerk: "The general audience isn't as dense as people make them out to be." Which is why I always thought and still do think a squid could have made it.
@Rorschach01: "its just a little drop of cyanide... " It was tasty.
@JorDAMN: Your point is valid. I will consider watching this online only now.
@Shaman: I believe in the entirety of your post.
@davidzuck: The internet is a medium of communication and does not imply that any of us have any less of a brain than you. Fallacies are for the weak.
@TucsonRican: I would poop myself if that didn't happen. Literally.

As I mentioned in my reply to IonParallax, beyond Snyder, the true thing to fear after the lack of squid will be the new fans this movie spawns. They will be frighteningly ignorant. When they read the novel, I wonder if they'll say, "What the hell? A squid? Are you serious?" or "That was a master piece. Why didn't he put that in the movie?" Food for thought! Mm, food... breakfast... oatmeal time....
JorDAMN
JorDAMN - 2/19/2009, 10:48 AM
Shaman, I don't know if you picked up on it, but Snyder didn't say the, "less reasonable fans," bit. That was a comment from some silly reporter at CHUD. Though, I would agree, that is quite the condescending comment. Also, even though we would like to give the general movie-going audience the benefit of the doubt (that they are not dense), I have a hard time doing so. Maybe we live in such different parts of the world that the people surrounding your daily activities aren't 99% idiotic. And personally, I hope the action-movie junkies come out to see Watchmen, because one of a few things will happen. They will either love it for what is, love it for the cool effects (which we know will be there), or hate it because they don't like to think during movies (I HATE WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT...). Either way, if they go see it, it will help the comic receive more exposure from an audience it would have likely never reached. Meh... Rant over.
DarkAvengers
DarkAvengers - 2/19/2009, 11:03 AM
This isnt a bid deal. I think the coolest part is how Snyder has supposedly nailed almost every shot, panel for panel from the book. I'll be honest, I wasnt a huge fan of this story, but i never in a million years thought i would see it on the big screen. It always seemed too involved. I'm going to see how he did it. That is what i think will be the most amazing part. Thats just me.
ElJefeCosme09
ElJefeCosme09 - 2/19/2009, 11:03 AM
Hey Hyson, i was reading all the comments. You said you were'nt gonna post again 'till the movie came out 'till you saw it. What the hell!, why are you disappointing.
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