X3 update via MSN

[retro_eidas]

From MSN Movies...

Ashmore is one of the few actors in the X-Men franchise that is contractually obligated to two sequels (one already being in the books). The other actors locked in include Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Aaron Stanford (Pyro), Anna Paquin (Rogue) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique). Cumming confirmed the June 20th start date while speaking to the press for "Son of the Mask" over the weekend. My sources also say that Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), who did not have a third sequel option, has agreed to a new contract for the movie and has approval on the new director for the series.

With HJ already signed on as one of the producers of "X3" and "Wolverine", it was pretty hopeful he probably was going to reprise teh hot. I am intrigued though Alan Cumming, Aaron Stanford and Anna are all seemingly contracted to return. Three of my favorite characters from the x-movies right there.

However, the article also seems wary of the possibility of James Marsden's return with him tied to "Superman Returns". I suppose that wouldn't be a total loss, but I don't know who they'd find to replace him. Jim Caviezel had been up for the part at one point if I'm not mistaken, maybe he may try again? Considering the story "X3" is bound to be telling, more Cyclops is probably a very distinct possibility. Thus, the actor would have to be able to hold his own with the rest of the cast but also hold up the story to some extent to, of course, this is all speculation. Famke, Ian and Patrick still haven't signed on, nor have their contracts been re-negotiated as yet it seems.

It also looks like the script is being rewritten... that topped off with no director? Yeah. June 20 start date? Not going to happen. I'm not even sure who Fox could or would target to direct (in Singer's calibre) at this point who's not doing other stuff. A small part of me was hoping for David Fincher, but I think he's tied to another project right now.

Comments

[penshoppe.livejournal.com]

Your LJ's turning out to be my one-stop shop for movie news. :P Thanks for that, even if it was unintentional. I ought to make time soon to see X2. Yeah yeah I know, such pitiful movie viewing habits I have. ;)

[eido.livejournal.com]

Your LJ's turning out to be my one-stop shop for movie news.

Too bad I'm such a poser. ;) I just snag it off IGN, AICN or whatever other site that has all the movie updates.

I ought to make time soon to see X2.

See it dude. It's the best movie of the two. Very possibly the last good X-Men movie too if this vibe of impending doom holds true.

[penshoppe.livejournal.com]

To prove how much of a pop culture hermit I have become ...

Why can't Brian (sp?) Singer direct the third X-Men movie?

[eido.livejournal.com]

Why can't Brian (sp?) Singer direct the third X-Men movie?

Basically, Fox wasn't too happy Singer decided to take the director job for Warner Brothers' "Superman Returns" instead of immediately continuing on with X3. Singer also incidentally took most of X-MEN's production crew with him when he left. No way Fox is going to wait around for Singer to finish directing another superhero film for the competition when they already had a release date scheduled for X3 (May 2006. Which I believe is also "Superman Returns" release date or near it). Hence, Singer was cut out of the X-MEN franchise.

Although Fox probably should have worked with Singer and somehow negotiated a return (even if they had to push back X3's release date) since the X-MEN movies are what they are today thanks to him. I fear the replacements Fox are going to force upon the franchise now considering they seem adamant to squeeze X3 out by summer '06, there's still no news on a director or prod. crew and the time is rapidly dwindling away.

[penshoppe.livejournal.com]

Fox can't wait for Singer? That looks like a shortsighted decision, all right. X-Men appealed to both adults and kids because of Singer's intelligent handling of the franchise. :)

[needia.livejournal.com]

*mumbling noise* I'm starting to get really worried that Fox is going to shit all over this film just to get it filmed for 2006. I mean, June? With no director and one script draft and no production department and not all the cast confirmed? It's bordering on madness. Yeesh. I'm beginning to realise that that 'insider' guy who used to post on Coming Attractions must've been right when he said Fox was trying to screw everyone over to make more money, and that they were bullying Bryan to get him back cheaper.
Oh Christ. Oh Christy Christy Christy. I hope the director, when they announce it, is good. I really, really do. Because that's all the hope I've got left now for anything approaching decent. At least Hugh's involved now as a producer- I'd like to think he'd try to be as faithful to the tone of the first two as possible.
*cries*
Oh, Bryan, why did you leave me...?
(BTW, any idea who the rumours are pointing to for director? Just checked SHH! for the first time in months and some people seem to have a rough idea who it's gonna be.)

[eido.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to get really worried that Fox is going to shit all over this film just to get it filmed for 2006.

You're definitely not alone in those fears. This is starting to look like Elektra redux. Which is just all kinds of wrong.

Oh Christ. Oh Christy Christy Christy. I hope the director, when they announce it, is good. I really, really do. Because that's all the hope I've got left now for anything approaching decent.

Then I suggest stocking up on the Guinness. I've currently got bets down on Sommers, Tim "Fantastic Four" Story or Rob "Elektra" Bowman at the helm of X3 before the month is out.

At least Hugh's involved now as a producer- I'd like to think he'd try to be as faithful to the tone of the first two as possible.

I have an inordinate love for Hugh. However, despite this love, I have to admit he also has a penchant for not wholly wise decisions where films are concerned. Van Helsing, Someone Like You and Kate & Leopold? The only good thing about those three movies is the varying levels of nekkid Hugh. Otherwise they're a shitstorm of crapitude.

I also wouldn't put it wholly past him throwing a good word in for his boy Stephen Sommers. Did you know he also worked with Famke on Deep Rising (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118956/)? Of course, if Famke is being friendly with Singer/Supes (http://filmforce.ign.com/x-men/articles/584/584997p1.html?fromint=1), Fox might not want her back even if she is Jean Grey.

Then again, Sommers on X-M, those whining fanboys might actually get Kristianna Loken, Angie Everhart or Estella Warren for Rogue as they constantly stomp their feet for. *whimpers*

The only saving grace is I think Sommers is currently remaking Flash Gordon, so I don't think he'd be available for X3. Let's all hope to god that's true.

BTW, any idea who the rumours are pointing to for director?

Beyond my fatalistic ramblings above? No clue. Joss Whedon is the only one I've seen frequently name dropped for the helm, but I think that rumor has since bit the dust. Although compared to Tim Story or Sommers, I'll take Joss any day of the week.

Just checked SHH! for the first time in months and some people seem to have a rough idea who it's gonna be.

Are these threads new? I heard some rumors awhile back on the SHH boards David Fincher might be interested, but I think he signed on to something else just recently. David Fincher is in the small handful that I could see filling Singer's shoes.

[needia.livejournal.com]

*wimpers*
Are these threads new? I heard some rumors awhile back on the SHH boards David Fincher might be interested, but I think he signed on to something else just recently. David Fincher is in the small handful that I could see filling Singer's shoes.
He wrote the first X-men treatment that got rejected, didn't he? Or was that his Se7en screenwriter buddy? If he's a comic fan, I can see it happening, but it's a long shot. In the serious directors league I suppose I could see Robert Rodrigeus (spelling?) seeing as he's a fanboy and all, or maybe Del Toro (Not sure he qualifies as 'serious' yet). But that they've got one of the scriptdoctors on Catwoman of all things doing a treatment... I dispair. I really do. Did they not notice that it was all kinds of shit?

[eido.livejournal.com]

He wrote the first X-men treatment that got rejected, didn't he? Or was that his Se7en screenwriter buddy?

No idea about Fincher or Se7en writers' treatment(s) (although between them and a dude who helped write Catwoman? I'll take Fincher any day)? I knew when Cameron was attached to the X-Men movie in the 90s he put out a script that I believe was rejected (or just wasn't used when Cameron abandoned the project for T2).

In the serious directors league I suppose I could see Robert Rodrigeus (spelling?)

Rodriguez on X-Men? I don't know. No doubt he'd be better than Anderson or Story, but Rodriguez seems to more be in his element in those vigilante sort of stories. Thus I could probably see him making a decent (and blood-soaked) Wolverine movie.

maybe Del Toro

He wouldn't be a bad choice for X3. Time and availability are issues though. I think he's in the process of writing the Hellboy sequel at the moment. I don't think that's his only project in the wings either.

that they've got one of the scriptdoctors on Catwoman of all things doing a treatment... I dispair. I really do. Did they not notice that it was all kinds of shit?

Apparently not. *cries* The more I linger on this, the greater the feelings of disaster. X-Men - like most comics movies - always had the possibility of being horrible in film translation. Perhaps X-M's time has finally come to live up to that stereotype? A stereotype Singer managed to avoid when he was at the helm, but with him gone and with Fox most desirous for that summer '06 release date? Gah.