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

[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.