'Before Watchmen' Confirmed: Will More Movies Follow?

With the announcement of 'Watchmen' prequel comics, the MTV Movies Team considers the future of 'Watchmen' as a film franchise.
By Josh Wigler

The Dr. Manhattan cover of "Before Watchmen"
Photo: DC Comics

Who watches the "Watchmen," you ask? Right now the answer appears to be everyone.

DC Entertainment announced Wednesday (February 1) that a new "Watchmen" prequel series is officially in development. Titled "Before Watchmen," the project spans seven different miniseries starring popular characters from Rorschach to Doctor Manhattan. The continuation of "Watchmen" had been rumored for quite some time, but today's announcement turns rumors into facts — and the reaction to those facts is divided, to say the least.

Some fans believe that more "Watchmen" is a great idea, especially considering the involvement of top-tier comic book talents including Darwyn Cooke and Brian Azzarello. For others, even excellent creative teams won't wash away the panic some are feeling at the prospect of revisiting the most successful, self-contained graphic novel of all time. Indeed, "Watchmen" writer Alan Moore has already spoken out against the existence of "Before Watchmen," telling the New York Times that it's "completely shameless." Artist Dave Gibbons' stance, meanwhile, is considerably warmer: "I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire."

From fans to creators and all the onlookers in between, arguments about whether or not "Before Watchmen" should even exist are sure to rage on in the coming days, weeks and months. But the MTV Movies Team is focused on a different question: Will "Before Watchmen" lead to more "Watchmen" movies?

Up front, it should be noted that the film adaptation of Moore and Gibbons' graphic novel wasn't a smash success at the box office, only yielding $185 million worldwide against a $130 million budget. But the film's high-profile release drew renewed attention to the "Watchmen" brand, propelling its ranking as the top-selling graphic novel for 11 straight months. "Watchmen" also pulled in strong initial DVD sales and rental figures. An unconventional success, perhaps, but success all the same.

Even with all those factors considered, would the "Watchmen" movie's creative team be on-board for sequels? Actors Patrick Wilson and Malin Akerman, who played Nite Owl and Silk Spectre respectively, spoke with MTV News about the topic in 2009, and both expressed skepticism. "I just don't know where you would go," Wilson said. "You would need one good idea."

"I don't really know how [a sequel] would ever be possible," Akerman added. "Because 'Watchmen' is 'Watchmen,' and we covered pretty much the whole novel."

Clearly, there is now more ground to cover than Akerman once realized, so future "Watchmen" movies based on original comics material are certainly possible. But if "Watchmen" does have a future on the big screen, director Zack Snyder will not be involved — if comments he made three years ago still hold weight, that is.

"I know that I wouldn't have anything to do with it," Snyder said in February 2009. "It would be like me going to ['No Country for Old Men' author] Cormac McCarthy and going, 'I have an idea for a [sequel]: You write a book, and I'll write a movie, and you can release it. You'll win a Pulitzer; I'll win an Oscar. It'll be awesome.'

"The attitude toward comic books, they show their hand a little bit," he added. "They would never say that about a real novelist, but they would about a comic book."

So will we see more "Watchmen" on film? At this point, it's simply too early to say. But where one would have thought the prospect impossible just three years ago, the possibilities are virtually endless today.

Do you want to see new "Watchmen" movies? Tell us what you think of "Before Watchmen" in the comments section!

Check out everything we've got on "Watchmen."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Katy Perry To Perform At Grammy Awards

Singer's "Firework" is up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Katy Perry will take the stage at the Grammy Awards on February 12. The two-time nominee was announced as the latest performer on Wednesday (February 1).

The currently blue-haired pop star is up for Record of the Year for her feel-good empowerment track, "Firework." The Teenage Dream single is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance. This is hardly her first time performing on the show.

At the 2011 Grammys, she performed her songs "Not Like the Movies" and "Teenage Dream." The Valentine-themed performance also included the debut of footage from her wedding to her now-estranged husband, Russell Brand. In 2009, Perry performed her breakthrough hit "I Kissed a Girl" surrounded by giant, glittering pieces of prop fruit. And in 2010 she took the stage at the Grammy Nominations show and sang her ubiquitous candy-coated track, "California Gurls."

The same day that Perry was announced as a performer, fellow nominee Drake was announced as one of the night's big presenters, along with Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley.

Adele announced her long-rumored Grammy performance on Tuesday. It marks her first performance since a November vocal surgery. "I'm immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year's Grammy Awards," Adele said. "It's an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all." Rihanna, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Nicki Minaj are also confirmed to perform live at the 54th annual awards show, which will be hosted by LL Cool J.

What performer are you most excited for at this year's Grammy Awards? Leave your comment below!

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Katy Perry 3-D Concert Film In Works

Paramount proposes bringing over-the-top stage spectacle to big screen.
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry
Photo: Splash News

Katy Perry is in talks to bring Candyfornia to a Cineplex near you -- in 3-D.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has reached out to the pop star's camp to do a documentary-style 3-D film a la the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and "Glee" before her.

While the deal is still in its early stages, according to sources, both sides are excited by the prospect of bringing Perry's colorful, over-the-top stage spectacle to the big screen. Right now, sources added, it's a matter of working out the logistics for the potential film.

Perry is not currently on tour: She wrapped up her California Dreams trek less than two weeks ago in Manila, Philippines. So, how and when Perry would tape the concert portion of the film is up in the air. This wouldn't be her first foray on the big screen: She voiced Smurfette in 2011's "The Smurfs."

Regardless of what happens with the project, Perry does have a busy few months ahead of her. She is up for two Grammy Awards on February 12 and will re-release her successful Teenage Dream album March 13.

Dubbed Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, producer Tricky Stewart said he and Perry re-worked a TD leftover for the release. "This song is really special. It's called 'Dressing Up,' so it's going to be a big record, I think," he said. "It definitely fits. It's right there in what her sensibilities are as a musician and a songwriter. She doesn't change much. She has a very keen musical taste. It'll be really good."

In between projects, Perry has kept everyone guessing about her hair. Currently, it's a sparkling shade of turquoise, which her colorist, Rita Hazan, said really does her justice: "I felt like it's the perfect color for her because her eyes are blue and she has the perfect skin tone to be a really vibrant, really cool, intense blue," she explained to MTV News.

Are you excited about the possibility of a Katy Perry 3-D concert movie? Tell us below!

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'Soul Train' Host Don Cornelius Dead

Iconic producer of music program was 75 years old.

By Rob Markman

Don Cornelius on "Soul Train" in 1973

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

"Love, peace and soul." Don Cornelius would sign off with those words after every episode of his famed dance/music program "Soul Train," and now the television show host and producer is dead.

On Wednesday morning (February 1), Cornelius was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Mulholland Drive after police responded to a shooting call, the LAPD confirmed to MTV News. According to TMZ, Cornelius was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Sources told the website that Cornelius' death appears to be a suicide, however the LAPD could not confirm this information as the investigation is still ongoing.

Police discovered Cornelius' body at around 4 a.m. PT on Wednesday and he was later taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 75 years old.

Love, Peace and "Soul": Don Cornelius Remembered in Photos

A former radio disc jockey, Cornelius created, wrote and produced "Soul Train," a popular dance/music show which spotlighted soul, R&B, and later, rap music. "Soul Train" was patterned after Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," but it helped to shine a light on black artists who many times didn't get the recognition they deserved. James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson all appeared on the show as well as more contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Alicia Keys and Ludacris.

"Soul Train" was most famous for its dancers who would show off the newest moves while partying to the latest hits. The "Soul Train" line, where dancers would line up on the left and right of the dance floor, allowing for one performer at a time to shimmy down the aisle, became a staple in American pop culture. Cornelius would go on to host the show for 22 years, between 1971 and 1993. He eventually handed over the reins to new hosts. The show ultimately went off the air in 2006.

Share your condolences with Don Cornelius' friends and family, as well as you favorite "Soul Train" memories on our Facebook page.…

Black Keys To Unveil 'Gold On The Ceiling' Video On MTV

Clip premieres Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, with exclusive interview to follow on MTV.com.
By James Montgomery

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach in the "Gold on the Ceiling" music video

The Black Keys continue to roll with their El Camino album, and now, they're taking MTV along for the ride. On Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, the band will premiere their brand-new video for "Gold on the Ceiling," during "MTV First: The Black Keys." And then, immediately following the clip's debut, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney will sit down for an exclusive 30-minute interview that will stream on MTV.com.

In that interview — filmed last weekend before the Keys' sold-out show in Berlin, Germany — the dynamic duo discuss their rather improbable rise to fame, the current state of rock music, and what's next (a new album already?!?). They also answer questions submitted by fans via Twitter.

After the premiere of the "Gold on the Ceiling" video (which features footage from the band's album release concert, which streamed live on MTV Hive), the clip will go into rotation on mtvU and MTV Hits, and will premiere on MTV.com, VH1.com and AMTV the following morning. The video will also debut on "MTV2's 120 Minutes With Matt Pinfield" on February 10 as part of a special Grammy-themed episode, and VH1's "Top 20 Countdown" on February 11.

It all gets underway Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m., with the world premiere of the "Gold on the Ceiling" video on MTV, and then rolls on with MTV News' 30-minute interview following immediately after on MTV.com. It's been quite a ride for the Black Keys so far, but trust us, you haven't seen anything yet.

What are you hoping for from the "Gold on the Ceiling" video? Leave your comments below!

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