Cheesy tape wins role; DON'T WATCH WITH MOTHER WALTER KOVACS/RORSCHACH.

Byline: JACKIE EARLE HALEY

JACKIE EARLE HALEY didn't wait to be asked to audition for Watchmen - he created his own home movie to prove he was the right man to play hero Rorschach.

The 47-year-old was obsessed with the character - a vigilante who prowls the night in a trenchcoat and mask.

The latter's pattern is like the Rorschach ink blot test, the method of psychological evaluation.

Jackie said: "I dived in and made my own audition tape - it is quite cheesy.

For the video, Jackie - who was nominated for an Oscar for 2006's Little Children - made what he describes as a Halloween version of Rorschach's costume. He said: "I went to a store and got the wrong rain jacket. There was this other one that was more expensive but I should have got it. It was similar but was more leather.

"Then a friend of mine came over and helped me to make the mask out of stockings and stuff.

"It looked pretty good and my friend made a Rorschach design for the mask that was probably more elaborate than was in the book. It looked pretty cool and cheesy at the same time."

The homemade effort impressed director Zack Snyder enough for him to offer Jackie the role.

He said: "I think what he liked most about my tape was the passion behind it.

"Which I think is the same as saying, 'Well, the tape sucked but the passion is there.'"

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Masked man: Jackie Earle Haley's mysterious Rorschach prowls at night