So, When Can We Expect First Class?
Fox wants to get moving on their next projects as soon as possible as they’re guaranteed profit makers and they want to continue the momentum with more frequent franchise installments. The hold up for Singer and First Class is his contract with Warner Bros. (they own Marvel’s competitor, DC, remember) for Jack the Giant Killer which he is also set to direct.
The other two films we know are happening are Wolverine 2 and Deadpool but the leads for both of those flicks are busy shooting other projects at the moment while the scripts are being worked on. So, out of these three X-Men titles, we’re likely to see Hugh Jackman’s solo sequel first on his adventures in Japan – This is where it gets interesting. From the interview, we know that Donner has pitched the X-Men 4 idea to Bryan Singer as well, and on top of that, Jackman sat down with the director to entice him on to another project which may just be the Wolverine sequel (or X-Men 4).
“I wish I could be four people… I could make everybody happy.”
The only thing which will hinder all these things happening for Singer is his schedule and he wishes he was able to do them all. My guess is that Singer will focus on First Class only while someone else takes on Wolverine 2 and after that (and his other duties with Battlestar Galactica, Excalibur, etc.) he will work on bringing back the original cast for the fourth installment to the main X-Men series.
The article also states that Wolverine 2 could be out next year, in the summer of the superhero. We initially thought Wolverine 2 would be a 2012 release so this would mean it has to film later this year so it can compete with Thor, Captain America and Green Lantern for the summer of 2011.
The Story of the First Class
Since the start of rumors about Singer possibly coming back to take on X-Men: First Class and that it would include Magneto as one of the characters, I figured the story would be about him and Xavier working together to build the school, teach the first group of mutants and build cerebro. The story could then follow how their views on the future of mutantkind part ways and the event(s) that turned them against each other could unfold, leading to how we know them as in Singer’s first X-Men.
According to the LA Times piece, Singer’s response confirms at least some of that we expect to happen. He explains his affinity for the dynamic between the two leaders and how they are able to keep that bond despite having opposite extremes in their views.
“Just doing younger mutants is not enough. The story needs to be more than that. I love the relationship between Magneto and Xavier, these two men who have diametrically opposite points of view but still manage to be friends — to a point. They are the ultimate frenemies.”
Singer’s ideas for including more back story for the characters of Magneto and Charles Xavier further confirm my theory on why X-Men Origins: Magneto is unlikely to happen and why it less important (read: unneeded) when compared to all of the other projects in development at Fox.
As for the characters to be included in the First Class roster, I imagine that whoever they end up choosing, it will not sit right with a lot of fans due to the continuity differences between the series and the comics and their respective timelines.
We can say for sure that Cyclops, Jean Grey and Beast will be involved and we’ve also heard they’ll be making up new characters for the flick. I don’t understand why’d they do the latter but we’ll have to wait and see. Singer shrugged at the question of a Hugh Jackman appearance but for obvious reasons that wouldn’t make sense. Save him for X-Men 4.
Check out Part Two of this feature where Bryan Singer talks Wolverine 2 & X-Men 4!
Follow me on Twitter @rob_keyes
Source: LA Times
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I stilll think they should go ahead with an AOA trilogy, done right, it would be epic….just sayin!
So Brian lost his way for awhile and has now rediscovered what, as a director, he's really all about. I'm so happy for him. Pity it took wrecking two franchises to find that out. Couldn't he have done right by everybody and did X-3 and then did a smaller movie to explore his ability to showcase and tell a personal individual story?? Really since failing to hit a home run with Superman, just exactly how would he perform with any of the individual hero stories in the Marvel line up? It's about the kind of story he's telling and a Wolverine centered story from that angle is no different than a Superman story! So really Fox still has problems that they have no solutions to and a whole bunch of the fan base ticked off at them for messing up two good franchises. They need to think on this harder…
I am just glad Singer is back on board.. Wow, what a relief !!! He'll bring a depth to the story, the characters, tie it all in, neat and tidy.. and really hit home with the subject matter. OK – I can finally get some sleep now ! LOL
What's the word of the day? Re-boot.
Go back to the drawing board and start fresh, new actors, new director, and the actual origin. I know comics need to change a great deal in order to translate to the big screen but is it so hard to satisfy the fans AND develop a money-making movie?
The first two movies are a given! x-men 1:prof. X, iceman, jean, scott, beast and angel
x-men 2: add colossus, nightcrawler, storm, banshee, wolvy, thunderbird.
They should've done this from the start but NO…… they had to have wolvy in there. I think the continuity of this franchise was twisted from the beginning. Ratner shouldn't get all the blame for screwing up the story. Singer had his part in that mess too.
First off I just want to say that I think that X-men first class is a bad idea. We all know how everything began (from the comics and from the movies we get a general idea) and we do not need to have that image reiterated on a big screen. Furthermore, Wolverine has been the bread and butter for this franchise and I do not see any way they could include him in this film; automatic drop in box office gross. The only way that this film could slightly work is if it entirely focuses on Prof X and Magneto and that is even a stretch. Nobody cares about these “other miscellaneous “other” characters. I would just continue on with an X-men 4 and throw in Gambit somehow (say he was frozen for a bunch of years and his body was preserved who cares its a comic book movie remember, the boundaries are fairly unlimited) My opinion is worthless though we all know this movie is coming out one way or another.
Oh yeah and an fyi, Singer sold out on the franchise for Superman a while back, and just because Superman flopped and he was given a boot does not mean we should welcome him back to the x-men universe with open arms….he is a SELL OUT
Im sorry to say my friend but that kind of linear thinking is what ruined the last 2 X-men movies. I am an avid comic book reader and the two things that bother me the most is straying completely off the source material and focusing an entire story on one particular individual on a team demographic. I'm personally sick of the movies focusing on wolverine because in the comics hes not ever the center of attention. Heck he doesn't even spend all his time w the X-men. So a story not focused on wolverine (they all have) is something I'd definitely prefer.
So Brian lost his way for awhile and has now rediscovered what, as a director, he's really all about. I'm so happy for him. Pity it took wrecking two franchises to find that out. Couldn't he have done right by everybody and did X-3 and then did a smaller movie to explore his ability to showcase and tell a personal individual story?? Really since failing to hit a home run with Superman, just exactly how would he perform with any of the individual hero stories in the Marvel line up? It's about the kind of story he's telling and a Wolverine centered story from that angle is no different than a Superman story! So really Fox still has problems that they have no solutions to and a whole bunch of the fan base ticked off at them for messing up two good franchises. They need to think on this harder…
I am just glad Singer is back on board.. Wow, what a relief !!! He'll bring a depth to the story, the characters, tie it all in, neat and tidy.. and really hit home with the subject matter. OK – I can finally get some sleep now ! LOL
What's the word of the day? Re-boot.
Go back to the drawing board and start fresh, new actors, new director, and the actual origin. I know comics need to change a great deal in order to translate to the big screen but is it so hard to satisfy the fans AND develop a money-making movie?
The first two movies are a given! x-men 1:prof. X, iceman, jean, scott, beast and angel
x-men 2: add colossus, nightcrawler, storm, banshee, wolvy, thunderbird.
They should've done this from the start but NO…… they had to have wolvy in there. I think the continuity of this franchise was twisted from the beginning. Ratner shouldn't get all the blame for screwing up the story. Singer had his part in that mess too.
First off I just want to say that I think that X-men first class is a bad idea. We all know how everything began (from the comics and from the movies we get a general idea) and we do not need to have that image reiterated on a big screen. Furthermore, Wolverine has been the bread and butter for this franchise and I do not see any way they could include him in this film; automatic drop in box office gross. The only way that this film could slightly work is if it entirely focuses on Prof X and Magneto and that is even a stretch. Nobody cares about these “other miscellaneous “other” characters. I would just continue on with an X-men 4 and throw in Gambit somehow (say he was frozen for a bunch of years and his body was preserved who cares its a comic book movie remember, the boundaries are fairly unlimited) My opinion is worthless though we all know this movie is coming out one way or another.
Oh yeah and an fyi, Singer sold out on the franchise for Superman a while back, and just because Superman flopped and he was given a boot does not mean we should welcome him back to the x-men universe with open arms….he is a SELL OUT
Im sorry to say my friend but that kind of linear thinking is what ruined the last 2 X-men movies. I am an avid comic book reader and the two things that bother me the most is straying completely off the source material and focusing an entire story on one particular individual on a team demographic. I'm personally sick of the movies focusing on wolverine because in the comics hes not ever the center of attention. Heck he doesn't even spend all his time w the X-men. So a story not focused on wolverine (they all have) is something I'd definitely prefer.
I totally agree. Well said.
Really???? IMO Bryan Singer is an extremely over rated director. He has completely ignored MARVEL'S history of the characters, their ages, character development and continuity.
Adaptations that veer too far from the original source material might as well be called something else because it ain't the X-Men I've been reading for the last 40 years.
For a storyline with real depth and continuity all tied in we need to have a REBOOT by MARVEL STUDIOS and an experienced director who respects the original source material.
You're absolutely right. I've been reading Marvel comic books since the mid seventies and I'm dismayed at the level of arrogant disrespect and contempt certain film studios, writers and directors have towards the original source material.
The original source material can be adapted and translated into a realistic dramatic storyline. You can still have ACCURATE, FAITHFUL & AUTHENTIC films based on the books and be a financial success at the box office.
Deviations that introduce alternatives and saying they are based on the books is just plain LAZY, GREEDY & EGOTISTICAL film making.
Without the success of these comic books over the last four decades, these movie adaptations could not exist. Certain film makers should not be allowed to take advantage of their work privileges by introducing their own ideas.
It should be an honor for these people to work with these characters, but they choose to hatch their own self centered plans.
Like I said, I recanted my previous post. You are completely right on all accounts. I liked some of his shooting, angles, action etc.. I wasn't really getting at the story.
If MARVEL had this in their hands and made it friendly for all peoples, fans and new unaware fans.. that would work for all parties.
I HOPE that somewhere MARVEL gets control back, somehow and does it right.. Although I did like character castings like Wolvie, Summers.. even Storm (but she needs her accent).. I would like to see Gambit and Rogue back older as more tied in..
Guess, I'm just ol' school (even if new school !!) LOL
Yeah that would be great if MARVEL did get back the film rights. The sooner the better.
Sometimes I may come across as being a bit harsh in my opinions / criticisms but it's more frustration at not seeing these films handled correctly.
I really can't fathom why the notion of producing an authentic and faithful adaptation of the comic books is so hard for certain film studios, writers and directors to achieve.
If you look at TDK, IM & to a certain extent TIH, they all did exceptionally well at the box office because they weren't that far removed from the original source material.
I guess, I'm probably still too much ol' school than new school.
You took the words right out of my mouth !! As a comic artist/pencil'er/color – I can so agree with the work they should be doing with the original source material… I'm with you on the ol' school and new school' . I hope if they do run X4 – they really hit it home… could make for another 2-3 films.. !