Warner Bros. Pictures today released a preview of their 2009 releases and two films based on comics were in the mix -- Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' "Watchmen" and Greg Rucka & Steve Lieber's "Whiteout." Find below descriptive information from the studio for each film, along with a handful of new stills.

WATCHMEN

In theatres on March 6

(Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures/Paramount)

Director: Zack Snyder

Writers: Screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse

Based on the graphic novel illustrated by Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics

Producers: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder

Executive Producers: Herbert W. Gains, Thomas Tull

Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson

Action/Sci-Fi. A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, the film is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the Watchmen?

This film has been rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.

WHITEOUT

In theatres on September 11

(Dark Castle Entertainment)

Director: Dominic Sena

Writers: Screenplay by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber and Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes

Based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka, illustrated by Steve Lieber

Producers: Joel Silver, Susan Downey, David Gambino

Executive Producers: Steve Richards, Don Carmody, Greg Rucka

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, Alex O'Loughlin, Shawn Doyle, Tom Skerritt

Suspense Thriller. Carrie Stetko, the lone U.S. Marshal assigned to Antarctica, is investigating the continent's first murder, which draws her into a shocking mystery. Now, with only three days until winter, Carrie must solve the crime before Antarctica is plunged into darkness and she is stranded with the killer.

This film has been rated R for violence, grisly images, brief strong language and some nudity.