What will "X-Men 3" be about? (SHH article)

[retro_eidas]

This was posted at SHH, but only noticed it at Coming Soon this morning.

Obviously, we all know it's very early for anything to be concrete in regards to "X3" so these are all rumors (Moreso the fact Cinescape apparently got this info from Wizard... not too reliable). It's also not like some of the news in this ("X3" focusing on evolution) would be surprising considering how "X2" ended.

But "X3" and "X4" filmed back to back? Two "X-Men" movies within a few months of each other? Dude. I'd go into fangirly overload. I don't put a lot of weight to any of this, not only for the "Wizard" thing, but since I'm not convinced an undertaking this enormous would be something the cast/crew would be all too keen on doing. But damn. That would rock. Fox probably wouldn't be against the idea considering they were also responsible for the "Matrix" trilogy and that made major coin (allbeit subpar in quality compared to X-Men, but I'm biased). However, still ridiculously reluctant to believe any of this, although it was a nice read.

What Will X-Men 3 be About?
Source: Cinescape
Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Cinescape has some more bits on what is possibly mentioned in the new issue of Wizard magazine about the X-Men franchise...

Among the facts dropped in the mag are: the idea by Singer to shoot X-MEN 3 and X-MEN 4 at the same time; how many primary characters are currently in the X3 treatment (which includes Beast); which actors are likely to reappear in the second sequel; other filmmakers that Singer has been meeting with regarding the latest breakthroughs in filmmaking technology; and spinoff movies using Wolverine and other X-Men characters.

Perhaps the biggest news is the revelation of what the general premise of X-MEN 3 will be about -- or is, at least at this early stage of the game. According to Singer, the idea behind X3 is what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself.

********

Once again, total rumors until we start meandering closer to 2006.

I'm sure we all have our wishlists. I posted a rather insanely long compilation of pretty much everything I'd be thrilled to see when I was high off cold medicine back in December (which is more evidence of why I don't write fanfic. When I go all [drugged] fangirly on sh*t. I go CRAZY with the wordage).

Fangirly randomness: Dark Phoenix vs. Dark Phoenix (Rogue being half of that duel due to absorbing some of Jean)... How fucking awesome would that be?

Comments

[arquiloren.livejournal.com]

Phoenix vs. Dark Phoenix (Rogue being half of that duel due to absorbing some of Jean)... How fucking awesome would that be?

Very. Kinda like the Evolution episode "Power Surge" where I just hated that they didn't focus on Rogue enough. Sure, it's a half hour show, and it *was* about Jean, but Rogue surely deserved to be given more importance.

So now I went to read your other post, and found this:

Evolution itself turning against mutants

*re-reads Cinescape's rumors*

what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself.

You better sue them if this goes about. You had the idea first. Heh.

Gotta comment on this from your other post, too:

Because of Jean's return, Rogue's deterioration into insanity (possibly tinged with paranoia, bitterness and/or jealousy because of the attentions Jean gets and always got) is unfortunately overlooked, even by Xavier... until it's too late.

Have you read thestickywicket's Through Like Water? If not, go read. It was the first thing I thought of when I read that paragraph. It's a wonderful, powerful yet tactful, angsty fic that bases on that idea. You may have your release there.

And you know, I want to see a movie with your versions of events. ;)

[profshallowness.livejournal.com]

As you say it's too early to trust the rumors, but still. . .what about the idea of filming X3 and 4 back to back? It would be a way to make sure they have all the cast and fit in with the LOTR, Matrix pattern?

{aka welshstar off Fametracker]

[eido.livejournal.com]

it *was* about Jean, but Rogue surely deserved to be given more importance.

And they never really went anywhere with it, beyond hinting this Jean will also turn into Phoenix. However, since there isn't going to be a season 5, we don't get to see Evo!Phoenix in action. Damn them.

However, in regards to my "Phoenix vs Dark Phoenix" comment, it wasn't wholly accurate. It's actually supposed to be *Dark* Phoenix vs Dark Phoenix. If one of them still retained some sense of self, the duel would probably be more like Phoenix/Everyone vs Dark Phoenix. Which isn't fun. The idea of Dark Phoenix vs Dark Phoenix vs Everyone is more in tune with my wishlist. ;) It makes for greater peril on all fronts.

You better sue them if this goes about. You had the idea first. Heh.

Heee. Well, it's not a stretch to think evolution will be the primary antagonist in the next movie, considering how they're going to be explaining Jean's changes... and Dark Phoenix really is an inevitability imo.

My theory spurned from wondering if it's only Jean's "evolution" the X-Men have to worry about. In what other (less expected) ways could evolution become a problem?

Have you read thestickywicket's Through Like Water?

Oh yeah. Loved it. That fic is really something I wouldn't mind seeing for Rogue in "X3". It's not everyone hates Rogue, but loves Jean. It's no where near that simplistic. It's just the X-Men get distrated by the exceedingly crazy things going on with Jean... and probably MRA, Sentinals or whatever other villains in the story... they can't pay attention to much else, and that just happens to include Rogue's issues. I don't think the X-Crew would be brave enough to end the X-Men movies like Macha did her fic... but that idea of total despair and desperation (even though she has so many people who care around her) is something I can see really working for Movie!Rogue. Much for the fact Anna is playing her and Anna's forté is drama.

[eido.livejournal.com]

what about the idea of filming X3 and 4 back to back? It would be a way to make sure they have all the cast

It's also less expensive if they really wanted to do two more films and obviously this would guarantee an X4. We'd also probably get them only a few months apart as opposed to the LONG waits between X1>>X2 and X2>>X3. So, I absolutely love the idea of two movies filmed back to back... but do I think it's very likely? I just don't think it is.

fit in with the LOTR, Matrix pattern?

Definitely. Singer is also an LOTR fan and has nothing but praise for what Peter Jackson has done. Although would he want to try and emulate that? Even if it's with just two movies (as opposed to three) and not exactly have the scale/grandeur of LOTR? I don't know. As I said, I'm reluctant to buy into any rumor. Especially something as big as this.

some more thoughts

[profshallowness.livejournal.com]

Yep. Time will tell. I don't know if there have been any other films which are being shot concurrently, which everyone seemed to assume would happen after LOTR "changed the way of thinking about film making." But LOTR is an extreme case. The source material is only three books because the publishers insisted. The Matrix were too "concieved as a trilogy" and not a franchise. But then the year of the Matrix didn't work out - but that's because of quality considerations as much as anything. X-men is a different beast.

Also where would the mooted stand-alone film(s) - of which Wolverine's is the most likely but that's probably dependany on what happens with Van Helsing.

And it would be a LOT for Singer (and company) to sign up to. But not having to wait years and yeas and years would be a lovely thing.