How Titus Welliver Wanted To Honor Jackie Earle Haley’s Rorschach When Voicing The Role In Watchmen: Chapter I

As a die-hard comic book fan and having had the privilege of portraying several iconic characters before, I found myself standing at the precipice of greatness when Titus Welliver approached me to voice Rorschach in ‘Watchmen: Chapter I’. The anticipation was palpable, knowing that Jackie Earle Haley set a formidable precedent with his portrayal in Zack Snyder’s live-action adaptation.

Taking on the role of a legendary comic book character is a significant privilege, yet it comes with a heavy burden of expectation. This is particularly true when someone else has already played that role brilliantly. Thus, Titus Welliver approached his opportunity to voice Rorschach in the animated Watchmen: Chapter I with utmost seriousness.

In a previous adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking graphic novel “Watchmen” from 1986, Rorschach (originally Walter Kovacs) was brought to life by Jackie Earle Haley. His portrayal is often cited as one of the key attractions that make the 2009 film worth rewatching. Eric Bana, who has previously worked with Ben Affleck on films like “The Town” and “Argo”, expressed his views about stepping into the shoes of the role previously played by the Academy Award nominee for this upcoming DC movie, stating:

As the character portrayed in numerous acclaimed novels, such as Harry Bosch, taking on such a role can be quite challenging. However, you must essentially trust your instincts. This was my approach with Bosch. I felt it was necessary, but when it came to Rorschach, I found myself thinking, ‘Given the massive success of the film adaptation, I don’t want to imitate Jackie Earle Haley’s portrayal of Rorschach, but I aim to honor and acknowledge the exceptional work he delivered.’

Here, Welliver ponders over his past role as the famed literary character, Harry Bosch from Michael Connelly’s novels, notably brought to life on Amazon’s hit show Bosch, followed by its sequel series, Bosch: Legacy. Unlike Bosch, Rorschach is a character Welliver played for the first time. He acknowledges that taking on this new role was no small feat. Fortunately, he was mindful of the fact that sharing the same creative space as Haley required equal caution.

Apart from his roles as DC characters, Welliver has also taken on unique roles such as Gotham City mobster Carmine Falcone in the animated Tomorrowverse movie franchise’s two-part installment, Batman: The Long Halloween, and a live-action Lex Luthor on Titans. However, it was his role as Rorschach in Watchmen: Chapter I that held a special significance for him, given his personal connection to the character. In this interview, he shared why this role was particularly meaningful to him through the following quote:

Upon learning I’d be portraying Rorschach, my excitement couldn’t be contained. After all, he has always been my favorite character due to his complexity. I’ve long felt that he is often misjudged yet possesses a great deal of humanity beneath his tough exterior. Therefore, it was an immense privilege and honor for me to bring this intriguing character to life.

I find Welliver’s portrayal of the masked antihero, who I consider central to the story, quite appealing. It is his character – relentless in his refusal to retire despite vigilantism being illegal – and his investigation into Edward “The Comedian” Blake’s (Rick D. Wasserman) death that initiates this grand tale.

For those who’ve already bought the digital version of the film, which is now accessible, before its Blu-ray and 4K launch on August 27th, you’re aware that the 83-minute movie concludes with Rorschach finding himself in a complex predicament. To stay informed about when this story will reach its end, keep track of our superhero movie schedule guide, as Watchmen: Chapter II is slated for release towards the latter half of 2024.

2024-08-18 02:37

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