Filmonic » Bryan Singer

X-Men 3: What could have been

Liam — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:43:31 +0000

If on May 26th 2006 you walked out after seeing X-Men: The Last Stand and thought “well that was disappointing, I wonder what the film would have been like if Bryan Singer directed” then you’re in luck! As 3 years on, your question has finally been answered. Sort of.

Michael Dougherty, writer of X2 and director of Trick r’ Treat, recently appeared on the /Filmcast and spoke about a few ideas he and Bryan Singer had been thinking of before Singer left to direct Superman Returns.

Transcript from Geek Files:

“The idea was that you open up with Alkali Lake but it’s completely barren and dried up and there are these odd reports of strange phenomena going on around the world accompanied by bright lights in the sky.
“The idea would be that both the X-Men and the Brotherhood realise that essentially a very god-like force had entered their reality and that it was causing disruptions around the world, you know mutant prisons being decimated, I had pitched an idea about a fleet of cargo ships getting torn apart in the Atlantic and you found out that they were shuttling mutants as slave labour.
“You found out was that Phoenix was going round the world taking things into her own hands and that she had basically returned as a god, which they did in X3. She had viewed herself as above the conflict, that she was here to end things on her terms, she was sick of the fighting and she was going to take things into her own hands and she did not give a s**t what the X-Men or the Brotherhood had to say about it.
“And ultimately the way it was going to end, at least the version I was pushing for, would be that Phoenix was kind of like the Starchild at the end of 2001, she didn’t just get stabbed and die again, but she kind of chose to leave.
“The one idea that I loved, that I really wanted to do, was that Cyclops would build the Danger Room. He felt guilty that because the X-Men were too weak, they weren’t strong enough or fast enough, that was the reason Jean died. If they were a little bit better at fighting, then she might still be alive. It was all about this guilt he had about her death and he built the Danger Room to train them to be better. In the end it really was about him not being able to let go of her and that causes the chaos and disruption in the movie and in the end it’s about him letting her go.
“Ultimately she kind of becomes that cosmic force that Phoenix is known to be, she leaves Earth and becomes a god or at least a higher level of intelligence and she goes into the cosmos possibly to kick-start life somewhere else. The final scene for me would have been her telling Cyclops or her telling the X-Men ‘I’ll be watching.’”

Part of me wishes I never read that. That’s what X-Men 3 should have been. It should have focused on Jean/Phoenix and Cyclops and not have her stand around like a lemon for 20 minutes during a battle. Dougherty also mentioned that it would have set things up for more sequels, and there was talk way back about possibly filming X3 and X4 back-to-back.

I’d like to take this time to blame a few people. Firstly, I blame 20th Century Fox for not signing Bryan Singer up straight after X2. Secondly, I blame Warner Bros. for offering Singer Superman Returns. You don’t steal directors who are mid-way through a franchise. It’s not cool! Thirdly, I blame Singer himself for abandoning the franchise. Singer apparently wanted to make X3 after Superman, but Fox didn’t want to wait and I can understand why. One man can’t and shouldn’t hold up a franchise.

I’d also like to blame 20th Century Fox again for getting too involved with the creative process, hiring writers who can only write your typical popcorn fluff, and for hiring Brett Ratner as director. The guy directs Mariah Carey music videos for Christ sake!

Bryan Singer has been talking with Fox about X-Men return

Liam — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:56:19 +0000

There have been hints over the past few months that Bryan Singer could return to direct an X-Men film. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner said it was “a possibility” and now the director himself was asked whether he would return to the franchise at South Korea’s Pusan International Film Festival:

From THR:

“I’m still looking to possibly return to the ‘X-Men’ franchise. I’ve been talking to Fox about it,” Singer said.
“I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast,” he said, referring to the Australian actor who plays Wolverine.
Singer said he enjoyed making science fiction and fantasy movies because they allowed him to discuss serious issues through entertainment. He said the “X-Men” series, which follows a group of mutants with superpowers who struggle to fit in with humans, is about tolerance and social structures.
He said he likes to “trick audiences into thinking they’re seeing fireworks, but they’re learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say.”
“The excitement about working in science fiction and fantasy is — the stories, if they are good, are about the human condition,” Singer said.

The franchise peaked in 2003 with Singer’s X-Men 2, and it hasn’t reached the same level of greatness since. Sure, it’s still making $300 – 400 million every three years, but X3 and Wolverine could have been so much better.

Out of all the X-films lined up Singer will most likely return for either Wolverine 2 or X-Men: First Class. The second Wolverine film already has a writer, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote the script for Singer’s The Usual Suspects. Hiring McQuarrie could have been Fox’s way of luring Singer back. First Class would give Singer the chance to go back to the origins of the X-Men, however that would mean he’d have to cast the characters he already cast nearly 10 years ago, and there will be no Hugh Jackman.

There is also a small chance he could direct X-Men Origins: Magneto, although Singer said back June that he’s already “lived in that universe” before having directed Apt Pupil and Valkyrie so he “might need to take a little break before I do something like that.”

Bryan Singer to direct Jack the Giant Killer

Liam — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Superman Returns and Valkyrie director Bryan Singer will direct Jack the Giant Killer according to HeatVision. The film will be a more grown up version of the fairy tale and is set in motion when a princess is kidnapped, threatening a long-standing peace between men and giants. A young farmer is given an opportunity to lead a dangerous expedition to the giants’ kingdom in hopes of rescuing her.

Apparently the film is being fast-tracked so it will mostly likely be Singer’s next movie. Battlestar Gallactica will have to wait.

Bryan Singer to direct Battlestar Galactica

Liam — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:05:53 +0000

Bryan Singer, director of the X-Men films and Valkyrie, has been hired by Universal to direct a Battlestar Galactica film. From Variety:

“Battlestar Galactica” appears to be on a fast track and sources said that Singer could be looking at a $10 million paycheck to sign on to the film.
Singer has long been intrigued with “Battlestar Galactica” and flirted with relaunching it into a TV series right after he directed the original “X-Men.” Back in 2001 I wrote about his plan, which involved teaming with Tom DeSanto to exec produce the series. Singer planned to direct the pilot of the new version of a series that originally launched on ABC in 1978 and ran two seasons.
It is possible that the timing of the series went awry because of the World Trade Center disaster that occurred later that year. Certainly, it made a series that launched with the attack and destruction of earth unpalatable.

I haven’t seen one single episode of Battlestar Galactica but I’m going to assume the recent success of Star Trek has had an influence on Universal’s decision to make the film. Here is the basic premise which all Battlestar Galactica projects have shared:

In a distant part of the universe, a civilization of humans lives on a series of planets known as the Twelve Colonies. In the past, the Colonies have been at war with a cybernetic race known as the Cylons. With the help of a human named Baltar, the Cylons launch a sudden ambush on the Colonies, laying waste to the planets and devastating their populations. The human survivors flee into space aboard any spacecraft they can reach. Of all the Colonial Fleet, the Battlestar Galactica appears to be the only military capital ship that survived the attack. Under the leadership of famed military leader Commander Adama, the Battlestar Galactica and its crew take up the task of leading the small fugitive fleet of survivors into space in search of a fabled refuge known as Earth.

Brandon Routh’s Superman contract has expired

Liam — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:32:42 +0000

Nobody knows what’s going on with the Superman franchise. It’s unlikely Bryan Singer will be returning to direct the sequel. There has been talk of a reboot, as well as talk of a direct sequel to Superman Returns, however nothing has been announced. Warner Bros. have taken that long in deciding what the next move will be, that Brandon Routh’s contract to return as Superman has expired.

From Portuguese site Omelete (translated by /Film)

Here are the key quotes from Routh. Firstly, on the small matter of the contract:
The term of the contract expired. But if they call me again, I’ll go back to the character without thinking twice.
On Warners’ plans for the series:
I do not know anything. I’m sure that Warner Bros. is moving there, but everything is still uncertain. Actually, I do not know anything.
On why he thinks Superman Returns may have disappointed:
I think it is missing some beating.

I’ll assume ‘beating’ means action. I liked Brandon as Superman, and off the top of my head I can’t think of anyone else who could play him. If they do reboot/recast they will either have to get another unknown or go the opposite direction and hire a known actor.

Bryan Singer talks X-Men, Magneto and Superman

Liam — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:15:20 +0000

X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner recently said that she would love Bryan Singer to return to the franchise after he left to direct Superman Returns. X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine are overall considered disappointments compared to X2, which I think is still one of the best comic book/superhero films ever made. Singer recently spoke to Total Film about not directing X-Men 3 and about possibly returning to direct X-Men Origins: Magneto.

From The Geek Files:

Speaking to Total Film, Singer said: “I’m eternally intertwined with X-Men now. What takes an audience four hours to watch – the first two movies – took six years of my life. So, to not be part of it….It’s a shame.”
Asked whether he wished he had directed X-Men: The Last Stand, he admitted he had that feeling “before I was watching it, during watching it, after watching it.”
Singer added:”It’s weird for me to watch it, because I’m so close to the universe. And also Brett is a good friend of mine. But, of course, I would love to return to that universe.”
And on the question of whether he might be interested in X-Men Origins: Magneto, he said: “Possibly. The only thing that concerns me about Magneto is that if the prequel were to follow the track I used in X-Men, which is Magneto’s history in the concentration camp, then I’ve lived in that world.
“Apt Pupil, X-Men and now Valkyrie…I’ve lived in that Nazi universe for quite a while. I just might need to take a little break before I do something like that.”

So far Bryan Singer is the only director who has proven he can make an X-Men film that pleases fans, critics and the general public alike, so for him to return to direct another X-Men film would be something i’d like to see. Wolverine would have been ideal for him as we saw in the first two films that he obviously knows the character well, however that one has been done. The opening scene of X-Men involving Magneto as a teenager is the exact tone and style X-Men Origins: Magneto should be, so Fox should definitely consider getting Singer back for that.

Singer also spoke about the Superman sequel/reboot/thing that has been talked about for the past few years. He doesn’t seem optimistic.

“I don’t know, I don’t know. There are still issues…I just…I just don’t know. I don’t necessarily…I don’t know. It’s one of those things where…It’s so weird talking about stuff unless I’m about to ramp up and shoot it.”

Singer should have stayed with X-Men instead of making Superman Returns. I liked the film, however it didn’t perform as well as expected at the box office. It wasn’t a huge success, but it wasn’t a total failure either.

X-Men: First Class, Gambit and Deadpool talk

Liam — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:51:40 +0000

Over the past few weeks X-Men Origins: Wolverine producer Lauren Shuler Donner has been giving us small chucks of info about the future of the X-Men franchise, and she recently gave a big chunk of info to IESB during an interview (click here to watch it). She talks about a wide range of X-topics, including the possibility of a Gambit spin-off and getting X-Men and X2 director Bryan Singer back to direct a future film.

X-Men: First Class

According to Shuler Donner writer Josh Schwartz made some changes to the script so it matched with the events in Wolverine. Some reviews I have read say scenes towards the end of Wolverine set up X-Men: First Class nicely. Also, remember the young Storm seen in the first trailer? Well Donner revealed back in February that the scene had been cut, and now we know that it was likely because Storm will be in X-Men: First Class, and they may wish to explore the characters origins in that film, which would have meant the Wolverine cameo would have ruined the continuity.

Donner also told IESB that “you can’t do X-Men: First Class without Patrick [Stewart]“, so it is likely Stewart will return as Professor Xavier.

Gambit

As Gambit was not an original member of Xavier’s school he will not be appearing in X-Men: First Class, although Donner said it was possible that he could appear in the sequels, noting Gambit’s relationship with Storm in the comics as an opportunity to weave him in. (Gambit and Storm teamed up as thieves in New Orleans). Donner also said that there were “internal discussions” about whether Gambit would appear in Wolverine 2, and whether he would get a spin-off of his own. (Although in the past Donner has said characters such as Storm may be getting spin-offs, but that never happened and most likely won’t).

Taylor Kitsch, who plays Gambit in Wolverine, spoke to MTV today about what he’d like to see if the spin-off happens:

“I would love to go darker,” Kitsch told MTV News. “[Gambit] in Vegas was fun, but I want to go into the Thieves Guild part of his story.”
Kitsch’s concept would delve into Remy LeBeau’s shady, streetwise past, part of the hero’s alluring mystique dating back before his time as one of the X-Men in the comics. And that side of Gambit is what interests the “Friday Night Lights” actor the most.
“How cool would it be to see him stealing things to survive because the stakes are so high?” Kitsch proposed. “Of course, as an actor, I’m always going to the darker side, but for him that would just be way more intriguing.”

Deadpool

Gavin Hood revealed before a screening last week that there would be a scene after the credits which would vary with each screening. Some early reports say that one involves Wolverine (setting up the sequel), one involved William Stryker (hopefully not setting up his own spin-off) and the third involves Wade Wilson aka Deadpool. Fox have made it clear they intend to make a Deadpool spin-off, so the scene after the credits may give us a tease for that.

Ryan Reynolds also spoke about what he would like to see if his spin-off got the green light, but this time to IGN

And finally, Lauren Shuler Donner said that she would love director Bryan Singer to return to the X-Men franchise. In the IESB interview she suggests he could perhaps direct the Deadpool or Gambit spin-offs if he was interested. Even after all the recent releases X-Men 2 still stands as one of the best superhero movies, so for Singer to return and work more of that magic would be great (Singer apparently declined an offer to direct X-Men Origins: Wolverine as he was busy with other projects).

I suppose all of this suggests that going to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine would be a good idea if you want to keep up with the X-Men franchise (and help it to continue). If Wolverine does well (which is looking likely) then all of this fantasy talk during interviews may eventually turn into green lights and writers being hired.

Christian Bale joining Prisoners

Liam — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:38:54 +0000

According to Risky Biz Blog Christian Bale may be joining Mark Wahlberg in a thriller called Prisoners.

Endeavor is putting together the package and plans on shopping it after a director is officially attached, with insiders stressing the project isn’t financed and saying the Wahlberg-Bale combo is fragile. This one’s all about making the numbers work for the players, who typically command hefty paydays

Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2, Superman Returns) is apparently interested in directing, although there has been no confirmation that he has signed up yet.

After his 6-year-old daughter and her friend are kidnapped, a small-town carpenter butts heads with a young, brash detective in charge of the investigation. The father is a Bible-reading, deer-hunting survivalist. The cop, meanwhile, can’t wait to get to the city. Feeling failed by the law, the father captures the man he believes responsible and begins to torture him in a desperate attempt to find out what he did with the girls, whom he’s convinced are still alive.

Bryan Singer being left out of Superman sequel talk

Liam — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:19:42 +0000

Bryan Singer recently spoke to UGO and he revealed that he is not talking to Warner Bros about the next Superman film. We currently don’t know whether the next film will be a sequel to Superman Returns or a reboot.

JH: But there is talk of a new film, though. Are you officially involved in this talk of the new film?
BS: I am not officially involved in the talk, no.
JH: But when talk happens they’ll call you.
BS: Well it’s, you know, I have relationships with Warner Brothers and with the character and, and, and, and it’s just the way things work out.
JH: But you are not divorced from Superman at this point.
BS: No.
JH: All right.

I guess that means we will have a different director taking over the Superman universe. In my opinion Bryan Singer should have stuck with the X-Men franchise rather than jumping ship to Warner Bros and giving Superman a kid

Superman Not Flying Anytime Soon

Liam — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:49:20 +0000

Variety’s Anne Thompson reports that Superman: Man of Steel, sequel to Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, is still not moving forward at Warner Bros.

Fans have been clamoring all over the web–and on this blog–for a complete reboot. And within the halls of Warner Bros. the same debate rages on. They too believe that the last movie didn’t break the mold and wound up in some kind of middle limbo. Today I was told that it is a priority at the studio to find the right direction and if Bryan Singer is willing to do that, fine, but if he gets in the way, he may not stay on the project. There are no writers working on a Superman script now. The studio wants to figure it out. “It might be better to start from scratch,” one exec admitted.

Do Warner Bros. ditch Bryan Singer and go with a director who will take Superman in a different direction? Or do they do a ‘Hulk‘ and pretend Superman Returns didn’t happen, eventually setting up a reboot?

Personally I couldn’t give a damn, but what do the fans think?