OFF PANEL / ONSCREEN #3: X3: THE END?

[raul grau]

<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/offpanelonscreen.jpg" hspace=10 align=left border=0 alt="Off Panel / Onscreen logo">By Seth Kim, loki@darkhorsemail.net

X3: The End?

Much to my recent surprise, I found that when it came to the third X-Men film (which we'll tentatively call X3 from here on), I just wasn't paying attention. Now this was a surprise to me, because when it comes to comic adaptations, keeping up with current events was pretty much a prerequisite as a comic and film fan. Not to mention that it's also pretty much my job here as well. Now I continued this line of thinking, and the conclusion was one that didn't come as much of a surprise, but wasn't all that pleasant either. When it came to X3, I just didn't care. Sure I was seeing the headlines, but I wasn't clicking the links and following up the stories. It hadn't always been this way; I had been clamoring for any type of X-news post-X2, but it had all stopped, and I remember the exact moment when. It was when the geniuses at Fox decided to get Brett Ratner. But I'm getting ahead of myself. When I realized that my enthusiasm for X3 was anything but, I decided that this would be both the perfect time and the perfect opportunity to address my apathy, the cause of said indifference, an ideal if not biased solution, and to recap the progress (or non-progress... either way I had to study up on what I had missed) of the project we have come to know and dread as X3.

In an ideal world, the bigwigs at Fox could have sat tight for just a few years and waited for Bryan Singer to finish the juggernaut that will be Superman Returns, so he could continue the genius work that he had started. Of course, those very same business suit big cheeses have seemingly emulated their neighbors at Warner Bros. (although Warner is pretty much off of the hook and basking in the glow that was Batman Begins), and began thinking with their wallets instead of their brains. In other words, they began to get sloppy. It is understandable that they chose to pass on Singer and decided to go ahead full steam ahead with the momentum off of X2 to begin production on X3. Considering the abruptness of the news that Singer was leaving, Fox showed swift decisiveness, not wasting much time to bring in a new director to helm the series in the form of up-and-comer Matthew Vaughn. Fans seemed to warm to the idea of Vaughn as Singer's successor to the X-Men throne, as his directorial debut in Layer Cake was said to be a promising outing. (I have yet to see it.) In the casting department, fellow Guy Ritchie alumni (Matthew Vaughn was producer to Guy Ritchie), former soccer player, and all-around nice guy Vinnie Jones was cast as the unstoppable Juggernaut, while Kelsey Grammar of Cheers and Frasier fame was to portray the furry Beast on the big screen (Steve Bacic had played Hank McCoy in a cameo in X2). Up until then, things seemed alright.

And then came the Rat-Man. First there were the whisperings. The whisperings became nervous rantings. The rantings, of course, became full-fledged screams of horror. Now one thing I have to get straight is that I'm not really against Brett Ratner; I'm not nearly as ardent or acerbic in my opinion of him as are most of the populace. I enjoyed Money Talks and both Rush Hour films as typical popcorn fare, and the question of his skill as a director never really came to mind. When I heard that he was attached to Red Dragon, I did wonder if he could actually pull it off. To my relevant surprise he did ok. It wasn't Hannibal, and it most certainly wasn't Silence of the Lambs, but it was still a competent film. Just not memorable. Along with the masses I was surprised when his name was being connected with Superman, and contrary to most people I tried entertaining the thought. It didn't seem that bad. (Was it the Rat-Man who had wanted Beyonce for Lois and Justin for Jimmy?... Or was that McG?... Or was it the brains at Warner?) Ratner, of course, was soon fired, scavenging what pride he had left by trying to make it seem as if he had left on his own accord, and, ironically (and much to the horror of all of fandom), he was given the series the guy who had replaced him on Superman had left behind.

I haven't particularly looked into why the masses haven't warmed to Ratner as the director for X3. What I do know is that the selection doesn't really sit well with me either. I can't pinpoint the exact details on why Rat-Man doesn't feel right for the project, but the decisions that have come out of Fox, at Ratner's hand or otherwise, seem to speak enough. Alan Cumming, playing one of the most memorable roles in X2 as the teleporting Nightcrawler, was dropped from the film, while rumors that Ratner was looking to include Stacy-X, one of the less memorable characters (with good reason...) from the books have recently surfaced. Now I know that Stacy-X has a fanbase of her own, and I also very well know that she was a different character in the hands of different creators, but you have to ask yourself, in the big picture, in the entirety of X-Lore, just how big is her place? Is she prominent enough to be featured in the film, supporting character or otherwise (that Ratner has stated publicly that he wants to use Stacy-X betrays any notion of her non-significance in the film; it wasn't as if Singer had spoken of wanting to use Jubilee, Shadowcat, or Colossus prior to the releases of X-Men and X2...), especially when considering the fact that there are several other more popular and significant characters just waiting to be tapped? What also has to be considered is the primary vocation and powers of the character. Stacey X was a mutant prostitute. One with the ability to secrete pheromones of seduction. Sure the X-Films are PG-13, but isn't a mutant prostitute sort of pushing it?

In other current events, Maggie Grace of the TV series Lost joined and then left the cast (she would have been the third actress to portray Shadowcat onscreen), while Colossus Daniel Cudmore who had also been reportedly dropped from the sequel was revealed to be reprising his role. With Beast cast, fan-favorites Angel and Gambit are the only major roles still left without respective owners, with no particular favorites for each part. The primary villain other than Juggernaut and more importantly the plot of the film are also still in the dark. But even with so much left to be revealed, in light of everything that has been revealed, things aren't looking so great.

So we've covered where my interest of the X-Men series pretty much tapered off, but what is also important to this story is where I stand on the first two films. See I wasn't one of those fans who was on his knees in reverence back in 2000. I was one of those fans that "Would you have preferred yellow spandex?" was targeted at. In a greater context, X-Men did everything that it had set out to do. It picked up where Blade had left off, breaking the long curse of shoddy comic-to-film adaptations, no small feat in its own right considering the decades of anticipation preceding the film. X-Men received both critical and mass acclaim, in part thanks to its tremendous cast and crew, the first in a tidal wave of comic adaptations of wavering levels of success. X-Men helped revitalize the comic industry as well, doing its part in spawning one of the more memorable recent arcs in X-Men history in E for Extinction (the critically-acclaimed arc by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly that brought about significant changes to the X-Men while moving towards a more grounded look and feel, not unlike the film) and playing its part in the creation of the wildly popular Ultimate line. It did all of this, and it did it in spades. But even so, here I am, ever the nitpicker, ever the perfectionist, and I still can't help but wonder what a slightly different X-Men, and X2 would have looked like.

The big picture of X-Men worked fine for me. The plot, the individual sequences, and the dialogue all worked (enough) for me. It did bother me that they were spent so much time in both films laying on the special effects and trying to cram as many characters in as they possibly could instead of spending time fleshing out what characters they had. The irony is that this was more of a minor concern than a major concern. What prominently irked me was something that could be considered trivial, as opposed to something as substantial as that. In a nutshell, the characters aren't the characters that I know and love. I can say that this partially stems from the writing, and mostly from the casting, but in the end I think I'd be kidding myself on both accounts. The reason for my detachment from the inhabitants of the X-Men film universe is simple... it's my attachment to the two-dimensional versions. If Batman was the stepping stone into the wonderful world of comics for my adolescent self, X-Men was the first infatuation. Subsequently, these characters hold a particular place in my heart and in all honesty I don't think that any X-Film could have completely and entirely pleased me, so I can admit that Singer and crew did a good job all things considered; I'm not the only X-Fan in the world.

After having accepted that the X-Films would be more of an interpretation than an adaptation, I was content with where the series was going. With such a mindset, I found that X2 was much more of a satisfying experience. What I initially loved going into X2 was the element of surprise. Unlike Star Wars, where all of the good parts were prominently featured and spoiled in the trailers, none of the money shots were divulged before the release. Among them, of course, would be the entire White House attack scene, a sequence of cinema bliss in its own right. Another standout element of X2 was the pivotal role of Magneto. Although his agenda had shown through by the end, I loved that he had to stand by his enemies, and that he was their only hope. It worked right along the vein of Japanese manga, the concept where the greatest enemy becomes the strongest ally (seen prominently in series such as Dragonball and Naruto). Stryker, of course, was a worthy villain to claim Magneto's throne, and the numerous additions to the cast were all appreciated. Colossus in particular was great to see onscreen and here's to hoping we'll seem more of the same in the next film. The plot also felt much smoother than that of the first film. The entire scheme of Magneto felt a little hashed and cliched in X-Men, while the 'seize the opportunity' type plan that he had in X2 felt right up his alley. The sideplots, that of the search for Nightcrawler (by far the breakout performance of the film) and Pyro's teen angst, were also played well, without feeling forced or overly convenient.

If Fox had been shrewd enough to know that the X-Films were going to earn more money than they had initially conceived, they would had planned a ten-film series and had started off the first film with the original core X-Men lineup (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, and Angel), with a side story of Wolverine running parallel. If only life were so forgiving. X2 had a great ending in the promises that it made with the character of Jean Grey, and we could all make a safe bet that the plot would revolve around Phoenix or Dark Phoenix. If Rat-Man is smart, he won't screw with what was already set up.

Now a particular pet peeve that I have of superhero films is that, after Batman Returns, filmmakers seem to want to get the most out of their budget, and feel the obligation to feature several super-villains, when they should concentrate on characterizing one. It makes sense in films such as X-Men and X2, where the Brotherhood is a team effort, but in films such as the aforementioned Batman series, it comes off more as a crossover of tremendous convenience. It was good to see Spider-Man had taken the high road, concentrating on the Green Goblin and then Dr. Octopus, but there are rumors making the rounds that Sandman and *gasp* Venom will be gracing the silver screen next.

Dark Phoenix sounds great to me as a main antagonist. Juggernaut is a great choice that will translate well onscreen and Vinnie Jones is an oddball but enlightened choice to play the part. Having said so, I also want to note that I don't think he has what it takes to center stage a 3D outing. If Rat-Man chooses another villain rather than Dark Phoenix, another optimal enemy would be the long-rumored Sentinels, continuing the long-running and primal theme of racial prejudices, with some hate-monger at their helm. Preferably not Bastion... A Days of Future Past (one of, if not the most touted arc in X-Men history, taking place in an alternate future where the X-Men are dead, save Wolverine and Shadowcat) film would be fascinating to see in live action, but again only a ten-film series could allow such indulgences. If the vein of the first two films were to be followed, a Dark Phoenix Saga would be a no-brainer, while Zero Tolerance (a recent arc having the X-Men hunted down by the government) would make a good basis for a Sentinel story. In which case they would have to use Bastion... Just don't make him Nimrod... And only if they cast Malcolm McDowell... Personally, above all of these stories, the one that I'd most like to see adapted to film would have to be the stellar E For Extinction. It would be deliciously ironic, gratifying, as well as surreal to see the arc inspired by the films to be backwards adapted. Oh, and they can't forget the Danger Room this time. They've taken more than enough of our money to allot one lousy FX-laden sequence...

If Rat-Man can spare the time and effort to write Stacy-X into the script simply because he likes characters, then he can do the same for the fans... namely me. There are a plethora of untapped characters in the 40-year span of X-Men history, but the one character that I would most want to see personified onscreen would have to be the telekinetic Psylocke. Even with her convoluted back story (she was British then Japanese then dead then alive), Psylocke is one of the more stand-out characters in X-Men lore, with a steady fan base as well. If anything, she's more popular than Stacy-X... Although a Japanese actress would be ideal to play Betsy onscreen, sadly, there aren't any prominent Japanese actresses in Hollywood who fit the bill. Kristin Kreuk, on the other hand, would make for a great Psylocke. Her exotic looks complete the ethnic physique of the X-Man, while her acting chops complete the package. As for the other long-rumored and long-wanted X-Men Angel and Gambit, Paul Walker (of The Fast and The Furious) and Eric Balfour (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) would be suitable choices respectively.

Even after the genius that was Batman Begins, and several other promising films in development, the collective head of comic fandom hangs in dismay in light of the revelations that X3 brings in its wake. Had the two films before it been anything less, or had the 'sequel to be' followed the progress that it was making in the first place, expectations would be what they were just a few months past: high. What is more saddening than the news of the Rat-Man and the wrath that he brings could be the continuing reports of spin-off films. Supposedly, Fox, hungry to exploit the success of the past films as well as the insatiable appetite of fans, is developing a Wolverine solo film (again a no-brainer), a Magneto film (90 minutes of an old guy?), and a film revolving around the younger class. But is such news to be met with open arms? I, for one, am apprehensive at best, horrified at worst with the prospect of more of the same. Of course, until that tell-tale letter hits the screen one more time, anything we can say amongst ourselves will pretty much be just speculation and pipe dreams. But until I see X3 with my own eyes, either to prove myself right or wrong, I think I'll concentrate on the Batman franchise.

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Seth's Kim's ability to nitpick, bitch, and moan at any creative enterprise is his mutant power.

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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.

[Toga]

Good article Seth. I'm glad u didn't get into "this movie will suck because of this actor or that director", and that even though ur apparent disposition on Bret Ratner is not maybe the best one your still optimistic abut the film, if he stays on the path th film is set.

Staying with Ratner i would like to pint out that a film is in large the directors view, but without a good script and good tools (which are in part supplied by the producers), he will have a harder time getting his view down on film.

[Patrick James]

I have always said that Paul Walker is the ideal choice for Angel, simply because he's the only actor around now with the right mix of good looks, snobbery, and charm.

The latest news about Stacy-X and the option of casting one to the Williams sisters is just bad all around. And yes, bring in Psylocke! But don't cast Kristen Kreuk, as her acting chops are questionable at best...but if they bring her in as a young character (which I think isn't the greatest idea) she could be suitable.

If only Bryan Singer didn't leave to do Superman... :sigh:

[Bernard Murnane]

Superman will rule...but Eric Balfour as Gambit. Huh? The guy who licked brownies off of a chicks face in Can't Hardly Wait?

[Hotknife86]

Paul Walker would have been a great Angel, oh well. Chalk him up as another casualty of my perfect casting (for me Tim Daly as Cyclops-- I know, a little old, sue me, Angela Bassett as Storm, and Brooke Langton as Rogue--- still holding out for Heather Locklear as Emma Frost but not holding my breath).

And yeah, I'd love to see Kristin Kreuk somewhere in the film. She'd be a cool Kitty in my opinion.

Interesting news. Maggie Grace is out of it? I didn't know. No Nightcrawler? HUGE mistake. And a Williams sister as who???

[*Diablo*]

I still can't believe it.
No Nightcrawler ???

:wall: :cuckoo: :mad:

[Ashlocke]

Great article. I feel the same way about X3. However, Kristen Kreuk is no Betsy. Betsy should be one of the older X-men Characters. Paul Walker should stay away from X3. Sure he has the looks, but his acting is horrible. I suggest Scott Speedman or Josh Duhamel for Angel, but it looks like they want to cast a younger actor as angel. As for Gambit? I rather have some like Trent Ford.

[Cabbit]

Honestly, until now, I didn't care who directed the damn thing, as long as my favorite character would make an appearance.
And now Nightcrawler's out of the picture?

*disgust*

[bravelybravesirrobin]

Well while the first part of this article was great (and I fully agree, after you got used to who the X-men where now X2 was a lot better) but the second part suffers from a big problem. Speculation ignoring a big fact.



That is the script has been online for some time now.


Okay some changes will be made (Stacy X wasn't in the version I saw for one) but to clarify the villain is Warren Worthington's father, the main plot focuses on a mutant cure (as in the recent Astonishing arc) Jean is back although dark phoenix is never touched on and there are several character deaths, including one every single x-fan will be pleased about, one no one will remotely care about because that character was barely in any of the films and one that is blatantly an outrageous mistake.

the script review is still up on www.aintitcoolnews.com and while it doesn't cover the final act in which the deaths occur it makes a lot of the film's elements clear.


Having read the script review I was much more looking forward to X3, the villain sounded trite but many of the sotry beats sounded solid and a couple of the sequences described (particularly angel's appearance) sounded amazing.

Then of course we found out that nightcrawler was dropped (incidentally why was he dropped. We know that Cumming said he dislikes working with Singer but Singer isn't on the flick so why is he gone?). Well that sucks as thus far he's been the most interesting character (except maybe magneto) and jointy with stewart and mcellan as best performance. Oh and he tops everyone in terms of SFX and sheer visual joy. But whatever the film can work without him, we have beast to compensate

Then Stacy-X was announced. Well I never hated her to the extent that some people did but why would a prostitute be hanging around a school? Plus why was an F-list character in the mix when so many characters still need development. Plus she complcates a tight script.

And now it turns out that either Venus or Serena Williams is up for the part. Neither is an actress, neither is attractive either and this also doesn't bode well. A bad character with a bad performance in an already over crowded cast and a tight plot that now looks to be wrecked.



Also to comment on your comments about momentum, one of the problems is that there wasn't any following X2. Singer's contract should have been renewed immediately but the executive producer (name escapes me) has something of a grudge against X-men. There are several quotes floating around about how he expected the first film to fail and rather begrudgingly increased the budget for the sequel. Rumour has it he hates Singer (although oddly enough Ratner is one of his buddies) and he delayed re-signing Singer's contract for months in attempts to get the budget back down again. This giving DC enough time to snap him up. Mission accomplished and Singer dumped the film suddenly has some momentum when everyone who enjoyed the first two is telling Fox to stop.


and now a little hisotry lesson. Superman 1, Superman 2. Same director, consistent vision, great films. Superman 3, Superman 4. Director changes and the films suck.

Batman, Batman Returns. Same director, consistent vision, great films. Batman Forver, Batman and Robin. Director changes, films suck.

Looks like X3 is following in a grand tradition.

fortunately Raimi is still on Spider-man 3.

[dvh19]

I would've preferred yellow spandex from the get go, but that's beside the point.

Paul Walker would make a better Havok. :dance:

[tormented_spawn]

Paul Walker? Is he that guy from Fast and the Furious? He has the acting ability equivalent of Keenu Reeves. He's a Keenu with blond hair. I'll go now...

[Will Carper]

Paul Walker? Is he that guy from Fast and the Furious? He has the acting ability equivalent of Keenu Reeves. He's a Keenu with blond hair. I'll go now...

besides, nick stahl of "sin city" and "terminator 3" fame has already been cast as Angel. who, by the way, is a much more competent actor.

i have some serious problems with this film. first and foremost, the loss of nightcrawler w/ no explanation (storywise). he was great in x2 and i would have liked to see a relationship b/w him and storm over her and wolverine (who are reported to have a graphic sex scene for no other reason than to appeal to the young males in the audience who thought "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "White Chicks" were masterpieces). I'm glad that wolvie's role has been reduced, but not so much so that he now just follows storm around the whole time.

then there's the deaths of cyclops and prof. x. both are way too essential to the x-films too just kill of like that. i could forgive cyclops' death because that can show phoenix's lack of control over her powers, but to kill of prof. x is insane. he's way too important, not to mention patrick stewart is a great actor! i could possible forgive these 2 deaths if the x-men are forced to rebuild their lives w/o the professor or cyclops, and with a highly unstable jean as a team member, but the chances of that are very slim.

that being said, i am excited about the danger room finally being shown (they should add that in to a special edition of the first film to keep up continuity), beast, angel, magneto's ranks being boistered by gambit, juggernaut, avalanche, and (possibly) cannonball, as well as mystique losing her powers.

[tormented_spawn]

besides, nick stahl of "sin city" and "terminator 3" fame has already been cast as Angel. who, by the way, is a much more competent actor.
Why you quote me? There are those who wants Paul Walker to be an Angel. Hey, I already said, he has the acting ability equivalent of Keenu and if you ask me that isn't much. I'll go now...

[bugalugs1]

Y'know, I'd never even considered Kristen Kruek as Betsy, but you're right, she's perfect

[Will Carper]

Why you quote me? There are those who wants Paul Walker to be an Angel. Hey, I already said, he has the acting ability equivalent of Keenu and if you ask me that isn't much. I'll go now...

I quoted you b/c i was adding on to what you said.

paul walker is a bad actor and would play a poor angel , and besides, the role of angel was already filled by nick stahl.

[Justice Daye]

Does no one yet know that that script was a very early version?

I would agree with some of what was said (I disagree with GM's run being anything near "grounded" and I'm curious as to how he movie inspired anything other than the costumes), but the column just seems so fanboyish and not in a good way. There are the typical demands of what "I" think is good and why this should be done my way. It wasn't so much a description of what X3 should be, but of what a personal x-film should be, that's only for one person's consumption.

[bravelybravesirrobin]

Does no one yet know that that script was a very early version?

I would agree with some of what was said (I disagree with GM's run being anything near "grounded" and I'm curious as to how he movie inspired anything other than the costumes), but the column just seems so fanboyish and not in a good way. There are the typical demands of what "I" think is good and why this should be done my way. It wasn't so much a description of what X3 should be, but of what a personal x-film should be, that's only for one person's consumption.


movie influences on morrisson's run

1. The costumes

2. the mansion becoming an actual school with mutant students that are not X-men

3. The x-men are teachers

[Seth Kim]

Good article Seth. I'm glad u didn't get into "this movie will suck because of this actor or that director", and that even though ur apparent disposition on Bret Ratner is not maybe the best one your still optimistic abut the film, if he stays on the path th film is set.

Thank you very much sir. I do want to point out that I'm not optimistic about the film, more indifferent, leaning towards pessimistic.

Great article. I feel the same way about X3. However, Kristen Kreuk is no Betsy. Betsy should be one of the older X-men Characters. Paul Walker should stay away from X3. Sure he has the looks, but his acting is horrible. I suggest Scott Speedman or Josh Duhamel for Angel, but it looks like they want to cast a younger actor as angel. As for Gambit? I rather have some like Trent Ford.

Thank you very much. If I had it my way, all of the characters would have been their respective ages. But again, I'm kind of detached from the series, so I've come to accept all of their characters, or rather the interpretations that the films have given us. The ones that took most adjustment was probably the apparent although never stated age difference between Jean and Scott, and the character of Rogue. Psylocke, on the other hand, is one of my more favored X-Men and again I'd like to see her as an adult but casting a Japanese actress who can speak fluent English whilst emulating a British accent is a task in itself... I'm pretty picky when it comes to Ethnic casting...

As for Paul Walker. Yeah, I'm not a big Walker fan. Mostly because of the monotone and because he has the range of a banana... But that works for Warren. The arrogance and indifference and detachment would work great.

Superman will rule...but Eric Balfour as Gambit. Huh? The guy who licked brownies off of a chicks face in Can't Hardly Wait?

And there's something wrong with licking brownies off of a chick's face? :) Seriously though, I think that again, arrogant look that Balfour works perfectly. Honestly, I don't really like Gambit as a character but if he's to be in the film I think it'd only be right for him to be a teenager, or at least a 20-something to give Bobby a run for his money.

Well while the first part of this article was great (and I fully agree, after you got used to who the X-men where now X2 was a lot better) but the second part suffers from a big problem. Speculation ignoring a big fact.

That is the script has been online for some time now.

Also to comment on your comments about momentum, one of the problems is that there wasn't any following X2. Singer's contract should have been renewed immediately but the executive producer (name escapes me) has something of a grudge against X-men.

I had no idea that the script was out and that there was a subsequent script review. Like I had said in the column I'm just not following up on X-News. The column was written pretty much based on speculation, and I'd also assume that any script review would be speculation as well, seeing that scripts are apt to change even during principal shooting. If I had had the chance to read such said script, I might have, but I had no idea that there was one around and I certainly wouldn't want to rely on someone else's review of what they had supposedly read. [ Even if the source was reliable ]

I didn't really mean momentum production wise but more of the reaction to X2. Think back to when that sucker saw release. Just about everyone was on their hands and knees in praise over it; they thought we'd seen the holy grail of comic movies. Critics liked it too. I meant that Fox should have taken the bull by the horns based on that fan momentum. Pretty much agree with what you're saying.

I would've preferred yellow spandex from the get go, but that's beside the point.

Paul Walker would make a better Havok. :dance:

You along with me.

I could see Paul Walker as Havok... Although Havok is much more emotional than Angel. Still it'd be fun to watch him interact with Mardsen.

Paul Walker? Is he that guy from Fast and the Furious? He has the acting ability equivalent of Keenu Reeves. He's a Keenu with blond hair. I'll go now...

Yeah... I have to agree. But again I still think he could pull off Warren.

Y'know, I'd never even considered Kristen Kruek as Betsy, but you're right, she's perfect

It was the beautiful Al Harahap, editor almighty who first suggested Kristen. That's why we call him a genius.

I would agree with some of what was said (I disagree with GM's run being anything near "grounded" and I'm curious as to how he movie inspired anything other than the costumes), but the column just seems so fanboyish and not in a good way. There are the typical demands of what "I" think is good and why this should be done my way. It wasn't so much a description of what X3 should be, but of what a personal x-film should be, that's only for one person's consumption.

I believe it's been said several times that the general atmosphere and look of New X-Men kind of emulated the look that X-Men the film had set. Of course it was more eminent in Ultimate X-Men but the parallels were in New X-Men as well. Speaking particularly of E For Extinction the book did go back more to the roots and fundamental principles of the book, the core of the concept of the X-Men [ as Sir Robin has kindly pointed out ] with Xavier's as a school and new students as well. It did of course kind of go out there with Cassandra Nova and the subsequent Shi'ar storyline but E For Extinction and the Magneto storyline in particular did go back and shed new light on the mutant-human tension of the X-World. New X-Men also served to kind of unravel and compact the convoluted mess that was the X-Men, not unlike the film.

There will always be the risk that a column will come off as a bit fanboyish, and this one in particular is intended to be extremely opinionated and from a fixed point of view. The column is here to present my thoughts on a certain subject as both a comic fan and a film fan. So sure yeah, like the past installments this one as well will present my views on what I'd like to see in terms of future sequels or even on past films in the case that I believe those films had failed on a certain level. I'd like to think that my thoughts would be concurrent to the general pulse of the comic reader populace but alas we are a fickle bunch after all and I don't think that my thoughts would be shared by everyone. But in the end I do want you to note that I did briefly speak of what an X-Men film that I personally would have liked to see, and I'll tell you X-Men and X2 weren't it. I also want to say again that despite my own qualms, I did throw out any pre-conceived concept I had of an X-Film and had accepted the efforts of Bryan Singer and company as fun films and the rest of the column was written in that context.

[W. Molstad]

Honestly to me the problem with the X-Men films is the way that they have to include a gazillion of the characters. The films should keep revolving around Professor X, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Rogue, and Magneto. And Storm and Cyclops a little. Then they had to bring in Nightcrawler, Iceman, Pyro, Mystique... da da da... the list goes on. I really love these characters, but they should be set aside as supporting cast. Unless the movie gets longer. The appeal of a lot of characters are the team dynamics, interesting powers and assists, but not much more. And in ways, they did with some of them.. Nightcrawler and Mystique were there for the interesting displays, and Colossus was basically a cameo.

Now they plan on bringing in, what, 6 new characters? And then the plot will end up focusing on them too.

It's kind of the same mistake that the comic makes. Trying to please everyone and pull everyone in. But if you look at X-Men history, the best times for the team are when the lineup is trimmed or at least cohesive (Original X-Men, Giant-Sized to the first Brood era, Australian Outback, Blue and Gold, New X-Men, and Astonishing..). That way there can be character arcs and tension between a smaller cast. But they're blowing X3 far out of proportion. As said above, Superman 3 and Batman 3 both switched directors and descended into silliness and sexless sex appeal in rubber and spandex.. X3 is looking to do the same. Great article. Hopefully the online community will shoot a rocket right over the bow of the producers.. but I doubt it. They'll probably ignore us and dive head first into a greedy but ultimately futile exercise in moviemaking - and as we know, it usually bombs.

[Ashlocke]

Has Nick Stahl been confirmed as Angel? Last I heard it was only a rumor that he had a meeting for a certain part.

[iceman06]

...Angela Bassett as Storm...

Can people please stop this? Angela Bassett would have been perfect for the role of Storm in 1990 when she was just a little older than the character. She turns 47 this year, and she looks it...she really does. And in case someone mentions him, Schwartenegger has been too old for Colossus since he made "The Villain."

[Ice_cold_emma_frost2]

First of all I've NEVER understood why there was such a "impossibility" of an Asian woman with a British accent...The UK owned Hong Kong for a hundred years and there are a couple 100,000 Asians in Europe. If you're going to have someone play the role of Psylocke hire some Chinese actress with an english accent, she doesnt HAVE to be Japanese (Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi are portraying Japanese characters in the forthcoming "Memoirs of a Geisha").......

Second...I think what killed the excitment for X3 for me was casting Kelsey Grammer as Beast. I dont care how frickin' popular he was on tv, he's not "big box office" in movies! Plus whether you have him in a blue suit or CGI the character of Beast, its STILL going to sound like SIDESHOW BOB! and be completly laughable.

And I say if an actor isn't working out in a role or they dont want to protray that character anymore (Halle berry) replace them! Its a franchise and i'm sorry but Halle brought NO depth to storm's character

I think if they are going for Warren Worthington that it could be interesting to set up the board members of Worthington industries as the hellfire club (without the sick underground "fisting" club connotations)...

But I'd personally rather would've seen Emma Frost brought in as a "replacement" teacher for Jean...start something b/w Scott and Emma and then have Jean come back as Phoenix and find that Scott's moved on. It would've been nice to have the movie start with Storm leading a team of "new" x-men (rogue, iceman, jubilee, colossus) against magento's "new" brotherhood (pyro, mystique, peitro & wanda & lorna) then have a sentinel come in the middle of it and both teams fight them and have no resolution to that particular fight, then go to the mansion and storm telling the team about sentinels attacking them. halfway through the movie, the x-men save the sentile plant personel from the brotherhood only to have Jean go insane and have to fight her for the second half of the movie.

What I think should be left out is all this "going back to the mansion for explanation" BS.....its an action movie with too little action and too little character development.

Gambit is ridiculously boring and Eric Balfor doesn't have the looks nor the charm to pull it off (Joss whedon killed him in the first episode of buffy and he really hasn't done anything since). Plus they've established a relationship b/w Rogue and bobby if they bring someone in to challenge that, then it takes up time in the movie as something that really doesn't need to happen.

I think there's been too much emphasis on Stacy X, in my mind she's a mutant you'd see on the sidewalk in "mutant town" where wolverine might go to some bar and she'd be on the screen for like 30 secs at most. I just can't see the producers actually giving her too MUCH of a role, her whole "seductive" thing is waaay too similar to what mystique tried to accomplish with wolverine in X2.

I know there are some fans out there that'd like to see more of the character interactions..maybe even more like seeing exactly what was in the comics on screen, but i think the biggest draw for an audience, whether it be fanboys or movie goers is seeing mutants use their powers. I think it should be done often and in public with a good rationale behind it. You can read the books and get the story but you have to admit that the best part of any of the comic book movies is when someone uses their powers b/c there's something there that you just dont get in comics.

I also have to comment that Fox bought the rights to produce a film BASED on the comics...they aren't simply taking story and characters and bringing them to life, they're taking who these characters are, what they can do, and the stories about them and turning them into Fox's own version of them. I dont see the X-men in the movies as any more the same characters from uncanny/astonishing/New x-men any more the same as thsoe from Ultimate, they're a completely different being.

Finally I think its stupid that Marvel tries/tried/will try again to rework the stories in the comics to reflect what happened in the movie(s), the movies are based on the comics, they're watered down, when marvel tries to replicate the movies, they're watering it down even further to be a crappier version of something they already did right the first time!

[Justice Daye]

movie influences on morrisson's run

1. The costumes

2. the mansion becoming an actual school with mutant students that are not X-men

3. The x-men are teachers
All of that had already been there at some point before the film. The film got all that from the books. I would've thought Grant got that from the older books instead. However, it still doesn't mean that Marvel wasn't influenced by the films as they suggested that "the school as a school" be the backdrop. My point was that the movie got the idea from the books, then, though the books may have gotten it from films, the ideas still orignated from the comics.


I believe it's been said several times that the general atmosphere and look of New X-Men kind of emulated the look that X-Men the film had set. Of course it was more eminent in Ultimate X-Men but the parallels were in New X-Men as well. Speaking particularly of E For Extinction the book did go back more to the roots and fundamental principles of the book, the core of the concept of the X-Men [as Sir Robin has kindly pointed out] with Xavier's as a school and new students as well. It did of course kind of go out there with Cassandra Nova and the subsequent Shi'ar storyline but E For Extinction and the Magneto storyline in particular did go back and shed new light on the mutant-human tension of the X-World. New X-Men also served to kind of unravel and compact the convoluted mess that was the X-Men, not unlike the film.
Okay. I realize all of that was there, but I respectfully disagree with that last sentence though. I saw it complicating the x-universe much more at 3 major points in the run (Nova's creation, Weapon X, and the Phoenix).

There will always be the risk that a column will come off as a bit fanboyish, and this one in particular is intended to be extremely opinionated and from a fixed point of view. The column is here to present my thoughts on a certain subject as both a comic fan and a film fan. So sure yeah, like the past installments this one as well will present my views on what I'd like to see in terms of future sequels or even on past films in the case that I believe those films had failed on a certain level. I'd like to think that my thoughts would be concurrent to the general pulse of the comic reader populace but alas we are a fickle bunch after all and I don't think that my thoughts would be shared by everyone. But in the end I do want you to note that I did briefly speak of what an X-Men film that I personally would have liked to see, and I'll tell you X-Men and X2 weren't it. I also want to say again that despite my own qualms, I did throw out any pre-conceived concept I had of an X-Film and had accepted the efforts of Bryan Singer and company as fun films and the rest of the column was written in that context.
I just thought that it was so particular that it wouldn't have been something that everyone could enjoy, but then again it was probably just your particular ideas and not your demands of what the next x-film should be...and I'm just taking it too seriously. Sorry.

I also didn't care for X1 and X2, so being vastly different from those could only benefit it, IMO. I think most of the fear for X3 comes the seemingly chaotic nature of it's creation, but it still could turn out well. I agrree with fans that there are too many characters and that both Cyke and Storm have been stiffed on characterization.

As for the ideas of what the film should be...
The hellfire club is stealing different technology from all over the world to raise an ancient powerful mutant (Apocalypse). Jean returns as the x-men attempt to figure out these new mutant attacks. Just as the x-men figure it all out, Apocalypse wakes up and kills the HC as he has his own plans for humanity. The government sees those previous mutant attacks and later activates the sentinel program. When the x-men split up to battle the newly freed apocalypse and the newly activated sentinels, Apocalypse tries to use Jean as a power source. He fails and dies though he manages to corrupt Jean and create the dark phoenix. This leads to the x-men battling the sentinels on one front and the dark phoenix/apocalypse on the other.
I tried to water the real plots from the book down (as Hollywood tends to do) while maintaining the core of the ideas. I do wonder though if it would be too complicated for one film though.

[Seth Kim]

Honestly to me the problem with the X-Men films is the way that they have to include a gazillion of the characters. The films should keep revolving around Professor X, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Rogue, and Magneto. And Storm and Cyclops a little. Then they had to bring in Nightcrawler, Iceman, Pyro, Mystique... da da da... the list goes on. I really love these characters, but they should be set aside as supporting cast. Unless the movie gets longer. The appeal of a lot of characters are the team dynamics, interesting powers and assists, but not much more. And in ways, they did with some of them.. Nightcrawler and Mystique were there for the interesting displays, and Colossus was basically a cameo.

Now they plan on bringing in, what, 6 new characters? And then the plot will end up focusing on them too.

It's kind of the same mistake that the comic makes. Trying to please everyone and pull everyone in. But if you look at X-Men history, the best times for the team are when the lineup is trimmed or at least cohesive (Original X-Men, Giant-Sized to the first Brood era, Australian Outback, Blue and Gold, New X-Men, and Astonishing..). That way there can be character arcs and tension between a smaller cast. But they're blowing X3 far out of proportion. As said above, Superman 3 and Batman 3 both switched directors and descended into silliness and sexless sex appeal in rubber and spandex.. X3 is looking to do the same. Great article. Hopefully the online community will shoot a rocket right over the bow of the producers.. but I doubt it. They'll probably ignore us and dive head first into a greedy but ultimately futile exercise in moviemaking - and as we know, it usually bombs.

Word. I couldn't have said it better.

For me Blue and Gold was when I first really got into the book so those teams really stuck in my mind. Of course everyone back then, including myself liked the Blue team since it had the benefit of Jim Lee and Chris Claremont. The first few arcs of X-Men were really great and I don't think I've enjoyed the book at that level ever since. Of course it helps that I was 11 at the time... E For Extinction and most of Morrison's New X-Men run is a close second.

Has Nick Stahl been confirmed as Angel? Last I heard it was only a rumor that he had a meeting for a certain part.

I don't think he has. In fact I don't think Yellow Bastard's participation has been confirmed period. In the case of spy reports and rumors it's usually better to take them with a grain of salt. Many turn out to be true and are soon confirmed but movies are volatile until those rumors are confirmed I don't think it's all that wise to assume that they're set in stone. I mean they're saying they want Justin for Harvey Dent...

Can people please stop this? Angela Bassett would have been perfect for the role of Storm in 1990 when she was just a little older than the character. She turns 47 this year, and she looks it...she really does. And in case someone mentions him, Schwartenegger has been too old for Colossus since he made "The Villain."

But that's the fun of casting. In most cases, [ save moments of enlightenment on the studio's part where they hear our outcries and cast Christian Bale as Batman... I still can't believe they did ] our casting calls will never see the light of day so it's fun to really go out there and get crazy with our imaginations. We can picture a 37 year old Angela Bassett for the role and we can imagine someone else, ANYONE else for Rogue... Heh. Ahem.

Surprisingly I don't think I've ever heard of Ahnold for Piotr...

I'm not going to say anything about that one.

First of all I've NEVER understood why there was such a "impossibility" of an Asian woman with a British accent...The UK owned Hong Kong for a hundred years and there are a couple 100,000 Asians in Europe. If you're going to have someone play the role of Psylocke hire some Chinese actress with an english accent, she doesnt HAVE to be Japanese (Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi are portraying Japanese characters in the forthcoming "Memoirs of a Geisha").......

There isn't. I've made this clear, the Hong Kong bit, in another thread. And again, for the record, I'm pretty ardent on ethnic casting... Although people think that we can't tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans... we can. If I can't see a Japanese woman with a British accent I'll just settle for an American one who can pass as one.

And I say if an actor isn't working out in a role or they dont want to protray that character anymore (Halle berry) replace them! Its a franchise and i'm sorry but Halle brought NO depth to storm's character

I have to agree with you on most accounts here... But this is dangerous territory so I won't go any further. Plus, I've pretty much given up on the franchise.

I think if they are going for Warren Worthington that it could be interesting to set up the board members of Worthington industries as the hellfire club (without the sick underground "fisting" club connotations)...

That's an interesting suggestion. The Hellfire Club would definitely translate well to the screen but I don't think that they'll deal with them unless it's a little more down the road when they have some of the other stories out of the way.

Gambit is ridiculously boring and Eric Balfor doesn't have the looks nor the charm to pull it off (Joss whedon killed him in the first episode of buffy and he really hasn't done anything since). Plus they've established a relationship b/w Rogue and bobby if they bring someone in to challenge that, then it takes up time in the movie as something that really doesn't need to happen.

I'm sticking by Eric Balfour. I think he'd be fine with the material.

Taking up time with things that really didn't need to happen... Isn't that a crucial element of the X-Films? :heh:

I know there are some fans out there that'd like to see more of the character interactions..maybe even more like seeing exactly what was in the comics on screen, but i think the biggest draw for an audience, whether it be fanboys or movie goers is seeing mutants use their powers. I think it should be done often and in public with a good rationale behind it. You can read the books and get the story but you have to admit that the best part of any of the comic book movies is when someone uses their powers b/c there's something there that you just dont get in comics.

I have to disagree with you here. If people were wanting more flair and less substance they would have liked the Star Wars prequels.

I also have to comment that Fox bought the rights to produce a film BASED on the comics...they aren't simply taking story and characters and bringing them to life, they're taking who these characters are, what they can do, and the stories about them and turning them into Fox's own version of them. I dont see the X-men in the movies as any more the same characters from uncanny/astonishing/New x-men any more the same as thsoe from Ultimate, they're a completely different being.

You're right, that's why I warrant the films as interpretations instead of straight-up adaptations. Whether you like the film versions or the comic versions is your own call but in the end there's nothing wrong with just bringing the stories and characters to life without majorly tampering with them. Look at Sin City.

Finally I think its stupid that Marvel tries/tried/will try again to rework the stories in the comics to reflect what happened in the movie(s), the movies are based on the comics, they're watered down, when marvel tries to replicate the movies, they're watering it down even further to be a crappier version of something they already did right the first time!

I'd call it more streamlining than watering down. The films didn't have the benefit or the burden of a 40 year history. Fans and non-fans alike could jump on at that point without being bogged down on every single nuance. The comics, especially Ultimate and New X-Men emulated that sense of the film, cutting away anything that was getting in the way of a more clear-cut read. It's why they both made fantastic jumping-on points for new readers. It was a smart move on their part. Marvel isn't really replicating what's been done based on what they had previously published, they're more watching, learning, and applying.

All of that had already been there at some point before the film. The film got all that from the books. I would've thought Grant got that from the older books instead. However, it still doesn't mean that Marvel wasn't influenced by the films as they suggested that "the school as a school" be the backdrop. My point was that the movie got the idea from the books, then, though the books may have gotten it from films, the ideas still orignated from the comics.

Sure, in the end the source material will always be the books but it can't be denied that the books were influenced by the success of the films. It can be seen more plainly in Blade, as most of the attempts after the films [ the Bart Sears book comes to mind ] pretty muck picked up where the films had left off with the character.

Okay. I realize all of that was there, but I respectfully disagree with that last sentence though. I saw it complicating the x-universe much more at 3 major points in the run (Nova's creation, Weapon X, and the Phoenix).

I dun really think so. Sure they did manage to dredge up more of the same old same old but I still think that the early New X-Men run boiled it down to the essentials... At first at least.

I just thought that it was so particular that it wouldn't have been something that everyone could enjoy, but then again it was probably just your particular ideas and not your demands of what the next x-film should be...and I'm just taking it too seriously. Sorry.

No worries. Nothing to be sorry about. When it comes to a property that you care about anyone is apt to take it seriously. We're only human.

[jubesfan]

I don't know what to think about this movie. I've been estatic about the first two movies, but this one is just a ball of craziness! We have the core actors and now we have to deal with Shadowcat, Colossus, Angel, Beast, Gambit, and Juggernaut? Too many new characters for just one movie. Where are the core people going to fit? I think Colossus and Jubilee and Shadowcat should have been given plot lines since they were already established in the movies. Everyone else could have waited until the fourth movie. It would have been great because X3 could have set up the New X-Men movie and Jubilee, Rogue, Colossus, Shadowcat, and Iceman could have moved on to that franchise. That would give some added room for Nightcrawler and Angel and Beast to come in for X4. But the big thing that is bothering me is STACY X!!!! I didn't care for the character in the comic and now she is going to be in the movie. That's all we need...a "good guy" version of Mystique. I have faaaaarrrrrr too much respect for the Williams sisters to give them that classless role. If Serena was given a role I would give her the role of Chargill...did I spell that right? The acolyte of Magneto. Serena has the definite build to pull that role off!

[Conan the Librarian]

In the casting department, fellow Guy Ritchie alumni (Matthew Vaughn was producer to Guy Ritchie), former soccer player, and all-around nice guy Vinnie Jones


All around nice guy? You're kidding right?

[tlcstormz]

This is a MIGHTY long article and I havent read it yet, but I want to say something first.....

If there is ONE negative thing said about Halle Berry I think I'm going to ask to be deleted from this website. I never EVER have to hear as much biased opinions about that woman ANYWHERE else on earth besides this site. Its ridicuolous, and whats worse...its usually the STAFF that can't be respectful.

Having said that, I'll hope and pray that I'm about to read an INTELLIGENT, INTELLECTUAL, CALM opinion of the X-Series and its troubles.

*EDIT:

Okay, I read the article. While I found it a bit of a bore, I commend you for being respectful and UN-fanboyish. Thank You.

Well while the first part of this article was great (and I fully agree, after you got used to who the X-men where now X2 was a lot better) but the second part suffers from a big problem. Speculation ignoring a big fact.

That is the script has been online for some time now.

"Thats not the script. NO ONE has seen the script. That "review of the script" on that website was a mere phone conversation from one person who "read" A script to a "reviewer."

--Avi Arad

Do your research! :)

[Seth Kim]

All around nice guy? You're kidding right?

Sarcasm, my good sir. ;)

This is a MIGHTY long article and I havent read it yet, but I want to say something first.....

If there is ONE negative thing said about Halle Berry I think I'm going to ask to be deleted from this website. I never EVER have to hear as much biased opinions about that woman ANYWHERE else on earth besides this site. Its ridicuolous, and whats worse...its usually the STAFF that can't be respectful.

Having said that, I'll hope and pray that I'm about to read an INTELLIGENT, INTELLECTUAL, CALM opinion of the X-Series and its troubles.

I dunno. This sounds a bit extreme. Asking to be deleted from a site because the opinions don't match your own? If that were the case I don't think it'd be easy to be a member of any site, whether it be comics or otherwise. Sure, everyone has their opinions, and I dunno, between Catwoman, the shift in attitude after the Oscars, and her vague position on returning for X3, I can see why there isn't all that much love for Halle Berry.

It's not per se, ridiculous... Even the staff are human, and they too have a right to their opinion. If they don't like Halle Berry, and if that opinion is influenced on some of her past performances and/or general manner, they should be able to voice said opinion, just like any other member of the site. It's why all of the columns have the disclaimer a the bottom. I can't say that they weren't disrespectful although I don't think that they would be, being that they are a mature, intelligent, and all around fun bunch.

*EDIT:

Okay, I read the article. While I found it a bit of a bore, I commend you for being respectful and UN-fanboyish. Thank You.

"Thats not the script. NO ONE has seen the script. That "review of the script" on that website was a mere phone conversation from one person who "read" A script to a "reviewer."

Thank you as well. Although I will point out that an intelligent, intellectual, and calm column does very much run the risk of being a boring read. Had I written the column with malice, fervor, and very much from a fanboy point of view, it might have been a less boring read. :D

Thank you for clearing up that bit abou the script. Again, in this column, unless I've seen a script, and even if I have, script reviews by other people will not be all that covered.

[Kevin Sutton]

"Thats not the script. NO ONE has seen the script. That "review of the script" on that website was a mere phone conversation from one person who "read" A script to a "reviewer."

--Avi Arad

Do your research! :)

With all due respect to Avi Arad, nowhere in the review of the script did it say that someone read the script to someone else over a phone. It says that the person reviewing the script had read it. Unless Avi Arad is privy to the inner workings of AICN I don't see where he came up with this idea.

[Ice_cold_emma_frost2]

This is a MIGHTY long article and I havent read it yet, but I want to say something first.....

If there is ONE negative thing said about Halle Berry I think I'm going to ask to be deleted from this website. I never EVER have to hear as much biased opinions about that woman ANYWHERE else on earth besides this site. Its ridicuolous, and whats worse...its usually the STAFF that can't be respectful.
:)


Did you SEE Catwoman!? The movie, the one where she was this horrible movie studio version of the one from the 60's camp tv show and not from the comics? The one that was really really crappy and didn't have a good box office after its first week? The one Halle wanted to do a sequel out of, but yet complained that she "wasn't shown enough" in X2, even tho its an ensemble cast and not "wolverine and storm"....Don't get me wrong I think she was amazing in "Intro Dorothy Dandridge", but I think after that her ego got a lot bigger and she thought more about her self than actually caring about the characters she was playing....Lauren Schuler-Donner said that she spoke with halle about storm and how halle was all mad about the way blackwomen are treated in hollywood so they transfered that anger into storm...that ISN'T storm, she's calm and serene and this caring earthly mother goddess woman, not some angry oppressed bitch who takes it out on regular people....the way Storm is protrayed in the movie, you'd have to wonder why she's with Xavier and not magneto.

[Baltimore Footstomper]

If Ratner wants a sexy chick, he should use Emma Frost. It would fit in nicely with Cyke dealing with Jean's "death/rebirth." She could be his therapist or something. While not true to comic origins, it would make more sense than shoe-horning a boring, quickly-discarded character in simply because she'd look hot in her stupid snakey scales.

:aaargh:

[Justice Daye]

Did you SEE Catwoman!? The movie, the one where she was this horrible movie studio version of the one from the 60's camp tv show and not from the comics? The one that was really really crappy and didn't have a good box office after its first week? The one Halle wanted to do a sequel out of, but yet complained that she "wasn't shown enough" in X2, even tho its an ensemble cast and not "wolverine and storm"....Don't get me wrong I think she was amazing in "Intro Dorothy Dandridge", but I think after that her ego got a lot bigger and she thought more about her self than actually caring about the characters she was playing....Lauren Schuler-Donner said that she spoke with halle about storm and how halle was all mad about the way blackwomen are treated in hollywood so they transfered that anger into storm...that ISN'T storm, she's calm and serene and this caring earthly mother goddess woman, not some angry oppressed bitch who takes it out on regular people....the way Storm is protrayed in the movie, you'd have to wonder why she's with Xavier and not magneto.

That's always been weird to me. So many people say things like this about her, when in fact the actors that she works with rarely have a bad word to say about her.
And wait...what does being angry about the disparities in good roles for black women have to do with being a primadonna?
Not to mention the fact that Storm isn't a caring, motherly, serene goddess...at least not in the film. Halle can't just make up stuff and shove it in there (and when she lobbied for a better, fuller role--more like the character in the books--people said that she wants the film to be all about her), though it was just a job until she read some of the comics that majorly make up Ororo's characterization today.. That's the problem here. Even if Halle's motivation for wanting equal screentime and plot (a quote) as the others comes from a vain place (and we don't know that it does), she's right. Storm has been stiffed on characterization, with Cyclops coming in a close second. We only know that she's african. None of her history or even basic personality traits have been revealed. Paul O'Brien said it best, (paraphrasing) "She's a supporting character. She exists to support the subplots of other characters." In X1, it was Rogue and Logan (not to mention the Senator) as well as being a set-piece. In X2, it was Jean, Nightcrawler, and Xavier. I'd be more inclined to believe Halle was a raivng, mad-woman who wants the movie to be ALL ABOUT HER!...if her statements and concerns weren't valid. Storm is wallpaper in the films, much she was in the comics during the 90's. The sad part is if they want someone good to play role of Storm, they'll have to beef it up and firing Halle for complaining about something that is needed and will most likely be done anyway is stupid (unless of course, they want some unknown in the cleaning her nails background until it's time for special effects power displays).

[tlcstormz]

Did you SEE Catwoman!? The movie, the one where she was this horrible movie studio version of the one from the 60's camp tv show and not from the comics? The one that was really really crappy and didn't have a good box office after its first week? The one Halle wanted to do a sequel out of, but yet complained that she "wasn't shown enough" in X2, even tho its an ensemble cast and not "wolverine and storm"....Don't get me wrong I think she was amazing in "Intro Dorothy Dandridge", but I think after that her ego got a lot bigger and she thought more about her self than actually caring about the characters she was playing....Lauren Schuler-Donner said that she spoke with halle about storm and how halle was all mad about the way blackwomen are treated in hollywood so they transfered that anger into storm...that ISN'T storm, she's calm and serene and this caring earthly mother goddess woman, not some angry oppressed bitch who takes it out on regular people....the way Storm is protrayed in the movie, you'd have to wonder why she's with Xavier and not magneto.

...

Maybe after you make a few more posts you'll realize that while actors CAN "bring a character off of the page" its not like Halle could have been like "Hey, you writers and you director...I don't want Storm to be so mean, so change my lines in the script."

It's common sense to recognize that.

:no expression:

[Ice_cold_emma_frost2]

I'm going by what I've heard from the extra's on the DVDs. Schuler-Donner said that they incorporated Halle's frustrations into the character of storm and even if it doesn't have anything to do with Halle at all,....as a fan,..I question why Storm, as portrayed in these two films, decided to work for Xavier instead of Magneto if she's so angry towards normal humans. And I do find it a bit ironic that the two "leaders" of the X-men (cyclops and Storm) are among the least developed. But around the time that the first movie came out Wolverine was the most popular "boy" character and Storm was the most popular "female" character.....But you have werid Hollywood people writing and developing this movie with thoughts like "how is this going to appeal to THIS audience" instead of "how are we going to flesh out this character".........With all the changes (directors, writers(?)) of X3 I dont see the quality being better than the first two films......Was there ever a movie franchise that things actually got better as the movie went on?

[Nick Costanzo]

Usually things only stay good until the first sequel. Notable exceptions are possibly Harry Potter, as well as Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars trilogy. However, those are all examples of later chapters being planned from the beginning, rather than seeing if something is profitable before they start writing something new.

I'm not looking forward to X3 at all. I am looking forward to Spiderman 3, because it looks like the next chapter was being planned for as the second, and possibly even the first was written. And really that's probably the only way to make later movies good, is to plan for them in advance. It's just hard to convince Hollywood to make such a long term committment before any money is made.

[AngelinLeather]

Eric Balfour is not very charming looking...I agree with Trent Ford. Google his name then look at the first image. That smirk. Oh yes.