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Josh Schwartz ‘having a blast’ with X-Men: First Class

Liam — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:24:46 +0000

When Josh Schwartz, writer and creator of Gossip Girl, Chuck and The O.C., was announced as writer of X-Men: First Class people were a bit unsure whether they liked the idea or not. When someone is hired in a creative role you tend to look at their past work to see what to expect, and there was a general assumption that it would be X-Men meets The O.C. However, the more we’ve been hearing about it the more it appears we will be getting an actual X-Men movie and not some teenage high school drama. Schwartz said back in February that the Dark Phoenix storyline had already been used (in X3) so he’ll “find more fertile soil somewhere else”. He is obviously thinking big in terms of the storyline, and now he has revealed how he got involved to THRfeed:

You’re a bit of an unconventional pick to write an “X-Men” movie. Did they approach you?
Schwartz: It’s something I’d always fantasized about doing. I knew (producer) Simon Kinberg and he approached me about it. I’ve started it and I’m having a blast, but I’m not allowed to say anything more.

From what we have heard so far the characters involved will be young versions of Cyclops, Beast, Jean and Storm, so Halle Berry, Famke Janssen and co. won’t be returning, however Patrick Stewart will likely return as Charles Xavier as the film takes place during the first year of his ‘School for Gifted Youngsters’.

IMDB says X-Men: First Class will be released in 2010, however 2011 is looking more likely seeing asthough the script isn’t finished (although Fox have a Magneto script they could be making use of *cough*)

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.

Lauren Shuler Donner wants X-Men: First Class to become a franchise

Liam — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:29:11 +0000

In February Josh Schwartz said that he was just getting started on writing X-Men: First Class, so we didn’t expect to hear much at this stage of development, however, promotion for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is gearing up and people behind the X-Men franchise are starting to talk. Lauren Shuler Donner has produced all the X-Men films, including Wolverine, and revealed on Fox Movie Channel’s Life after Film School that she hoped X-Men: First Class becomes a whole new X-Men franchise. She also revealed which characters will be involved.

From Comics Continuum:

“It is the first class of Xavier’s school, way back when, so it’s young Scott, young Jean, young Beast and that’ll be really fun,” Donner said. “I think (the plan) is to follow some of the characters into their own stories, and weave them back into the X-Men world.
“And hopefully First Class will become its own franchise and we can follow them as they grow up.”
She also acknowledged that a Magneto movie remains in development.

I’m glad we finally know which characters the film will revolve around, as there was speculation that it could focus on a whole new bunch of characters. While we will be seeing young versions of Cyclops, Jean and Beast, we have already seen young versions of Iceman and Angel in the trilogy, so the famous original line-up probably won’t happen. There is also the fact that a young Cyclops appears in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, so the chances are X-Men: First Class will take place after Wolverine, and Tim Pocock (who plays young Cyclops) could have a good few years ahead of him, unless they recast for whatever reason.

They will obviously involve other characters, including some we have seen before. We could see a young Storm (we caught a glimpse of a toddler-looking Storm in the first Wolverine trailer, however Lauren Shuler Donner said that the scene won’t make the final cut. This could be so that it doesn’t screw up continuity if they plan on adding a young Storm in X-Men: First Class). As it will be the first class of Xavier’s school Patrick Stewart may end up returning, unless they recast Xavier like they did with William Stryker. I hope they don’t though. I’d like to think that Patrick Stewart will be the man that links the X-Men franchise together on-screen.

I’m happy that Fox have chosen Josh Schwartz (The O.C, Chuck) as writer. If you’re going to make a movie about young adults, you might as well get the guy who knows how to write them well. Fanboys may want people like Christopher Nolan (the current fanboy God after The Dark Knight) to write and direct their favourite superhero’s, but writing for young mutants with young mutant problems might not be one of their strengths. I am eager to find out who ends up directing this. As long as it’s not Brett Ratner i’ll be happy.

Josh Schwartz talks X-Men: First Class

Liam — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:15:53 +0000

We haven’t heard anything about X-Men: First Class since it was announced that Gossip Girl writer/creator Josh Schwartz would be writing the script, so I was pleased to read that Schwartz made a few comments about it during an interview with MTV. Obviously he can’t reveal anything, but what he did say was telling.

“No, that’s not true,” Schwartz told MTV News when asked if he passed on directing “X-Men: First Class,” as some rumors suggested. “But I would be terrified to have the first thing I direct be a giant franchise movie.”
While Schwartz was careful not to reveal any details about the film’s plot, its place in the current “X-Men” film franchise, or just about any other aspect of the project, he did offer up some thoughts on what it won’t be.
“The ‘Dark Phoenix’ storyline is probably the high point of the comics’ storytelling,” said Schwartz when asked about some of his favorite X-Men stories. “But they did that. So we’ll find more fertile soil somewhere else.”
“I’m not really allowed to say anything,” he added. “They’re watching me as we speak. It’s exciting, it’s a huge honor and we’re just getting started.”

The fact that Schwartz has thought about doing the Dark Phoenix storyline is reassuring. It shows that this won’t be just ‘Gossip Girl meets X-Men’ and they will actually be taking serious storylines from the comics.

At the current rate of Fox pumping out X-Men films it could be the case that we won’t get to see this until 2012, although IMDB has the release date at sometime in 2010. My main interest at this point is who Fox will get to direct, however we probably won’t get that info for a while.

X-Men: First Class

Liam — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:26:52 +0000

The X-Men franchise is 20th Century Fox’s most successful comicbook property, seeing as though they messed up Fantastic Four, Daredevil and Elektra. Sony is churning out Spider-Man 4, Warner Bros will no doubt be producing more Batman films, along with other DC properties, and Marvel are now producing their own goods. Fox need to keep the X-Men franchise alive if they want to make any $$$, and it seems like they are doing just that.

Back in May Josh Schwartz, writer of The O.C, Gossip Girl and Chuck, sat down with Black Book Magazine and randomly revealed that he was working on an X-Men movie that focused on some of the lesser known mutants. However, within hours the article was removed. Suspicious? I think so!

Now 5 months on Variety have confirmed that Schwartz will indeed be writing a young X-Men movie, entitled X-Men: First Class. The movie appeared in Production Weekly at the end of July, so we knew Fox were working on something.

Josh Schwartz has apparently declined an offer to direct, although Lauren Shuler Donner, who produced all three X-Men films, as well as next summer’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is producing alongside X-Men 3 writer Simon Kinberg.

Fox is keeping quiet on plans and declined to confirm details of the project, although according to Variety:

Resulting film would likely draw from elements of the Marvel comic of the same name, launched in 2006, and enlist such characters as Iceman, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Jubilee and Shadowcat, who have appeared prominently or made cameos in prior pics.
Given Hollywood’s penchant for reboots with new actors playing familiar roles, pic could also reintroduce characters. Comicbook revolves around the Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman, Angel and Professor X.

I am an X-Men fan so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more films. My first thought was that it will just be The O.C with powers, however I am thinking (and hoping) that Fox will make something better than that. Some cool aspects of this are that this will hopefully be the first X-Men movie without Wolverine. Yeah he’s cool and kills people, but he took WAY too much limelight in the trilogy. The fact that this could be the real ‘team’ movie is exciting also.

I will be eagarly awaiting to find out who Fox choose to direct this. (And to see which characters they decide to use)

Gossip Girl And OC Writer Josh Schwartz Work On X-Men Script?

Liam — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:20:36 +0000

Well this news is a bit random and out of the blue. Black Book Magazine sat down with Josh Schwartz to speak to him about The OC, Gossip Girl and Chuck. Nothing really interesting there. Fairly average interview. That is until we get to this:

Something he can talk about, however, is news that he will pen the screenplay for the next installment of X-Men, a prequel of sorts. “I’m very well aware that I’ll be bludgeoned by purists, but I love its mythology, and it comes with a pretty hefty paycheck.” Of the project, he beams with excitement about the opportunity to involve lesser known X-Men characters who haven’t yet been portrayed on film. It will center on teenage characters at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. “It’s not like I’m adding new characters like Toaster Head, or anything like that.” Despite his enthusiam, he’s cautious, given the double-edged sword inherent in the seemingly inexhaustible renaissance of the genre. “The Hulk looks like it’s going to be terrible. And why does he look like he’s fighting against the monster from Cloverfield? I mean, with Transformers, it’s not like fans were going to come back saying, ‘You used the wrong car.’ This, however, is a different story. Of his predecessors and their successes (or failures), he says, “Brett Ratner didn’t have a lot of credibility going in to the third X-Men movie, but I think Bryan Singer [who directed the first two installments] got a free pass on Superman Returns because of his work on X-Men.”

Wow! We have heard X-Men 3 writer Zak Penn talk about writing a young X-Men movie, but that all depends on the outcome of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It seems FOX have thought that the original cast were getting a bit expensive, as were the production costs. The best thing to do business-wise was to wait a few years, and then relaunch a new trilogy or set of movies featuring younger and less expensive actors. The fact that is has X-Men in the name will ensure that it is a box office favourite, as long as they do things right.

Now Marvel are making their own movies and not selling anymore of their characters, it seems studios like FOX are going to milk the comic book franchises they have already got. The Fantastic Four franchise is pretty much dead, so X-Men is really the only franchise that can benefit FOX.

Is going the OC and Gossip Girl route the right way for the X-Men franchise? Will it turn into a trilogy of teen problems, or do you think Josh Schwartz has something up his sleeve?