Original Watchmen movie costumes and props...

These are the fantastic original costumes and props from the movie adaption of the best-selling cult classic graphic novel, Watchmen, created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

The brutal and graphic film, directed by Zack Snyder, is extremely faithful to the source material and is set in an alternate world of the 1980's where Richard Nixon is still President of the United States of America and the Cold War still rages, with the very real threat of nuclear holocaust looming. Once hailed as heroes, masked vigilante crime fighters are now outlawed.

Watchmen movie costume and prop

display at ArcLight Hollywood

The actual costumes for Nite Owl II, Silk Spectre II and Ozymandius were on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema on March 6, 2009, whilst there was an additional Watchmen exhibit for The Comedian, Rorschach and Ozymandius costumes at ArcLight Sherman Oaks, which were photographed on March 8, 2009.

Watchmen movie costume exhibit

at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema

Watchmen movie poster

Actual Watchmen movie props displayed

at ArcLight Hollywood

This amazing selection of actual Watchmen props (above) used in the movie include Nite Owl II's arctic mask and cowl (bottom right) and the book 'Under the Hood' written by Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl.

Original Watchmen movie props displayed

at ArcLight Sherman Oaks

This collection of original Watchmen props include the iconic bloody 'happy face' badge found by Rorschach in the gutter outside the apartment building of The Comedian, where he fell to his death.

It also includes a case history file on Rorschach's alter ego 'Walter Kovacs' and some actual 'Rorschach' ink blot cards, both props used by the psychiatrist who examines Rorschach in the movie.

Each case also contains a 'Tales of the Black Freighter' comic book which featured in the movie as an homage to the the 'Black Freighter' story elements that run through the entire original Watchmen comic series.

Watchmen - Silk Spectre II movie poster

Original Silk Spectre II costume worn by

Malin Akerman in Watchmen

Funnily enough my favourite costume is the one worn by the only current female 'Watchman', the second Silk Spectre, played by Malin Akerman in the movie.

It's such a sexy, sleek and striking redesign and updated version by costume designer Michael Wilkinson of Dave Gibbons 80's original Silk Spectre II comic book costume.

This super-heroine inherits the mantle of the Silk Spectre from her mother, who was part of an earlier incarnation of 1940's heroes, the Minutemen.

Watchmen - Silk Spectre II movie billboard

Watchmen - Nite Owl II movie poster

Original Nite Owl II costume worn by

Patrick Wilson in Watchmen

My next favourite costume from Watchmen has to be Nite Owl II worn by Patrick Wilson in the movie.

Even though his character is intended to have slightly 'gone to seed' since his retirement from the superhero lifestyle, this homage to Batman's costume still makes him look supercool and every inch the hero.

Watchmen - The Comedian movie poster

The Comedian original costume worn by

Jeffrey Dean Morgan in Watchmen

The Comedian is dramatically murdered and thrown from his apartment at the beginning of the movie and through the course of the story we learn what a nasty piece of work he was and why he was killed.

This costume worn by Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the film is another loyal recreation of the comic book character design.

Watchmen - Rorschach movie poster

Actual Rorschach costume worn by

Jackie Earle Haley in Watchmen

Rorschach is one of the biggest fan-favourite Watchmen and his iconic hat and trench-coat outfit evokes a classic noir detective style.

This unconventional and troubled vigilante wears a moving 'Rorschach' ink blot mask, a test that psychologists use to evaluate the personality characteristics and emotional state of their patients.

Watchmen - Rorschach movie billboard

Watchmen - Ozymandius movie poster

Original Ozymandius costume worn by

Matthew Goode in Watchmen

Ozymadius, may be the 'smartest man in the world', but is another character who gets a much needed makeover from his comic book origins.

This movie costume bodysuit, worn by Matthew Goode, with its Egyptian hieroglyphic motif is a vast improvement over his original 80's comic design.

Watchmen - Dr. Manhattan movie poster

Sadly no Dr. Manhattan costume was on display, mainly because his look was created digitally and he was a naked blue man with a perfect physique for most of the movie.

Watchmen movie billboard

Original Watchmen costumes on display

Watchmen billboard on La Brea Avenue in L.A.

Watchmen movie poster