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The LA Times recently conducted an interview with Watchmen star Jackie Earle Haley, who plays the misanthropic masked crime-fighter, Rorschach in the upcoming film. A former child star, Haley was probably best known as the character Kelly in the Bad News Bears films from the 70's, as well as a plethora of guest-starring appearances in popular shows from that decade. After carrying a spotty resume throughout the years, he is finally experiencing the sweet taste of success with a 2006 Oscar nomination as a sinister sex offender in Little Children, and of course, his role in Watchmen.

With tackling the challenging role of Rorschach, Haley reveals that he first made an effort get himself in shape by adding muscle. Of his dramatic approach to the film, he models it more after Travis Bickle of Taxi Driver, rather than a traditional Bruce Wayne-type character. Director Zack Snyder remarks that the casting of Haley, among others, was part of a conscious effort to keep big-name stars out of the project:

"I think if you have a Tom Cruise, someone of that stature of fame, it makes it harder to present this other world and keep the viewer right there in it."

Snyder would go on to remark that Rorschach is the story's most important character, as he defines the psychological undercurrents of the events. Anyone who is familiar with the story would probably concur. While there are more prominently featured, as well as more powerful characters in the story, Watchmen could arguably be considered a tale told between two poles where Rorschach represents a complete adherence to a concept of justice at any cost, and Veidt representing an adherence to an idea of unity and peace at any cost. (Describing it any further is entering spoiler territory.) Because of this, the actor who portrays Rorschach must be someone who is able to credibly exude a scarred, dark, and uncompromising nature. Snyder apparently has full confidence in Haley's ability to do so.

Haley also remarks that the Rorschach costume itself adds an element of empowerment:

"You know, actually, there was something very empowering about the costume, about that mask and the way you feel when you wear it. At one point, we were filming a cemetery scene and I looked down and I saw my shadow -- the coat, the hat, the mask -- and I had this powerful jolt. "That's Rorschach." The costume is the challenge, but the costume is also the power."

If things go smoothly in the legal department (which appears to be the case), we will be able to find out for ourselves if Haley measures up on March 6.

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