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Max Braden: The trailer for Watchmen left me baffled, and not in a "I need to find out what this is" way. I got the impression most audiences were left scratching their heads, too. It's got some nifty Silver Surfer graphics, but no clear hook to grasp on to. 300 had an overabundance of sweaty guys, but at least they resembled a rugby or football team. Naked ghosts and bird costumes? That's asking too much from general audiences. Batman was able to move away from brainless commercialized style because he was a known property. Broody and elitist isn't a recipe for success with unfamiliar characters in March. $28-32 million.

Scott Lumley: Max, you have to be kidding me. It's possible that I've oversold myself on this one, but I think you're seriously underselling Watchmen. Granted, I don't like the March release date either, but from what I've seen upcoming for the winter this movie seems poised to reap some serious coin from movie-going crowds that are now fully accepting and appreciating comic book films.

The marketing campaign is in full swing, and the book is being sold mainstream in places like Costco and Chapters. This one is going to be big. Really big.

Max Braden: I just don't see The Dark Knight automatically guaranteeing a market for graphic novels, and I don't see this publication suddenly becoming a national best seller, and I don't see the current trailer as a positive. When I saw the Watchmen cover of Entertainment Weekly, I briefly wondered if the whole thing was a parody. I'll keep my prediction at the low $30s until I see a more compelling trailer - one that appeals to popcorn audiences and not just the comic book niche.

Scott Lumley:

The Incredible Hulk - $134.5 million
The Dark Knight - $524 million
Iron Man - $318 million
Hellboy 2 - $75.5 million

Recent history states that you're way off on that prediction. Might there be a bit of a dip in revenue from the release date? Maybe. I don't think so, and I also think this may be some brilliant marketing.

As for the trailer, I don't have any idea what you're talking about. I've seen it about 50 times online and I think it's just fantastic. I have to stand by my earlier prediction that you are massively underestimating this one.

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