University of Minnesota physics professor James Kakalios was recently selected to be a “scientific adviser” to the upcoming Warner Brothers movie, Watchmen, a movie based on superheroes in the popular comic book.
In the movie, a main character, Dr. Manhattan, obtains super-human powers as a result of an experiment gone awry in 1959. His powers include changing his size, controlling matter with his mind, and teleportation.
Where does Kakalios fit in? The filmmakers flew him to Vancouver, where Kakalios was given the opportunity to talk about what the 1959 physics lab might have looked like. He uses his physics expertise to help filmmakers make sense of Manhattan’s powers and the science that creates an alternate reality. By helping filmmakers learn more about the science behind Manhattan’s super powers, they can make the film’s “alternate reality” seem a little bit more believable for audiences.
Along with advising Watchmen filmmakers on their movie, Professor Kakalios is also the author of The Physics of Superheroes.
So if you’re going to see Watchmen in the upcoming weeks (the film opens in theaters on March 6th), you can remember that some of the science behind the film comes from a U of M professor’s advice!
~ Trisha
In the movie, a main character, Dr. Manhattan, obtains super-human powers as a result of an experiment gone awry in 1959. His powers include changing his size, controlling matter with his mind, and teleportation.
Where does Kakalios fit in? The filmmakers flew him to Vancouver, where Kakalios was given the opportunity to talk about what the 1959 physics lab might have looked like. He uses his physics expertise to help filmmakers make sense of Manhattan’s powers and the science that creates an alternate reality. By helping filmmakers learn more about the science behind Manhattan’s super powers, they can make the film’s “alternate reality” seem a little bit more believable for audiences.
Along with advising Watchmen filmmakers on their movie, Professor Kakalios is also the author of The Physics of Superheroes.
So if you’re going to see Watchmen in the upcoming weeks (the film opens in theaters on March 6th), you can remember that some of the science behind the film comes from a U of M professor’s advice!
~ Trisha
Been reading all the hype and cannot wait for the film. It is supposed to be geared more towards the mature audience so looking forward to seeing how well implemented this is.
When I go I will spare a little thought for your Professor :)
Posted by: Matthew Franchise | March 01, 2009 at 11:51 AM
AHHH PHYSICS !
One of the best classes ever =)
Posted by: Mimi Thongphasavanh | March 03, 2009 at 03:12 PM