Filmonic » Lauren Shuler Donner

Updates on the X-Men franchise: Wolverine 2, First Class and Deadpool. Magneto is dead

Liam — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:31:05 +0000

X-Men Origins: Wolverine will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK next week, and UK magazine Empire flew out to the US to have a one-one-one with producer Lauren Shuler Donner. As expected, they asked her for updates on Wolverine 2, X-Men: First Class, Deadpool and X-Men Origins: Magneto and she had a lot to say.

Wolverine 2

Donner says that Wolverine 2 is the furthest along out of all the projects and will focus on the relationship between Wolverine and Mariko, the daughter of a Japanese crime lord, and what happens to him in Japan. She says they wanted an “A+ writer” so they got Chris McQuarrie (Valkyrie, The Usual Suspects) who has tightened up the story and has “got really immersed in the whole thing”. 20th Century Fox will also be working with the Japanese Fox executives as they “don’t want to portray the way [Japanese people] speak, dress and act in an inaccurate way.” Although it is “likely the characters will speak English rather than Japanese with subtitles”.

Donner finishes by saying “there’ll be samurai, ninja, katana blades, different forms of martial arts – mano-a-mano, extreme fighting. We’re going to come up with a new style of fighting. It’s going to be awesome.”

X-Men: First Class

According to Donner the script is not finished and they aren’t where they want to be yet. They are trying hard not to make it too similar to the previous trilogy and want to make it different. Donner also admits that the Harry Potter movies are “role models” for them but they “want it to be like the recent, darker Potters. It should not be a kiddie movie – we’re in the X-Men world so you can’t suddenly change the tone.”

She says that there’s still friction between mutants and the outside world, but First Class will be set before anyone knows mutants exist so it will probably have a more secretive edge. Regarding the characters Donner says they will be in Xavier’s School but they will also be off on adventures and some will be “naughty children”. She gives Cyclops as an example who is “a tough kid that bobbed from foster home to foster home, until he ends up at the school and becomes the leader.” None of the characters have been cast yet, but they plan on turning First Class into a whole new franchise so “the casting of the child actors will be all-important.” I’m not sure how young the actors will be but they’ll probably be young enough so we see them grow up on-screen.

Deadpool

Deadpool will be a complete reboot as they want to “ignore the version of Deadpool that we saw in Wolverine and just start over again”. Donner says it will be a “dark, snarky, very funny movie” and they are just working out which villain(s) to incorporate. They hope to have a writer on-board by next month and are currently talking to a few. “We need someone really imaginative because we want to do some really innovative, ambitious stuff. Ryan’s mentioned this in an interview already but there are parts where he’s going to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience in the cinema. We have to work out how to do that. I don’t know that Fox will agree with all our decisions, but we’ll see!”

X-Men Origins: Magneto

…won’t be seen for a while, if ever. Donner says the film is “at the back of the queue” out of all the films and she isn’t sure if the script David Goyer wrote is ever going to be made. “Maybe it’ll get made in five years – who knows? I can tell you that Ian McKellen won’t be playing the character the whole way through. We used Lola technology in X-Men 3 to de-age Ian and Patrick for one scene, but it’s very expensive. To do that for a two-hour movie would be prohibitive financially. And to find a younger actor to fill Ian’s shoes, that’s pretty daunting. It’s not easy.”

Summary

The X-Men franchise peaked in 2003. 20th Century Fox have since been too involved with the creative process and we have ended up with disappointments. Although, they have hired Chris McQuarrie to write Wolverine 2 and there is a chance Bryan Singer could return to direct. If that happens Wolverine 2 may actually be a good movie.

If Fox don’t screw things up they could have a new franchise with X-Men: First Class. The films won’t be as good as the Potter ones, but that franchise ends in 2011 and there will be a gap in the market. They need to get an “A+ director” involved.

I’m not that much of a Deadpool fan but from what we’ve heard they want to stay close to the source material. When we find out who they hire to write and direct it will give us an indication whether it’s a potential new superhero franchise or just doomed.

I’ve been wanting to see a Magneto movie ever since it was announced they were making one. Over the years I’ve questioned whether David Goyer is actually the right man for the job, but I don’t think he is. I’d rather get a great Magneto movie in 5+ years than have a sub-par movie start filming next year.

Which movie are you looking forward too (if any)? Can 20th Century Fox bring the X-Men franchise back up to the level it once was?

Rob Liefeld on Deadpool meeting

Liam — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:46:16 +0000

A meeting took place today to discuss the Deadpool movie that 20th Century Fox announced they were making a few months ago. Rob Liefeld, who created Deadpool, attended the meeting and Twittered his reaction afterwards. Here’s what he had to say:

Walking into Deadpool movie meeting!!! Yowza!
Great Deadpool movie meeting! Lauren Schuler Donner and her team are headed in the right direction!
Deadpool movie checklist- DP in costume-check! Breaking 4th wall-check! Loads of killing-double check!
Deadpool movie- YES! Ryan Reynolds is on board!!!
Also excited to discuss possibilities of Cable in future X-films!!!
Clarification, Cable definitely NOT in Deadpool movie, but possible role in future X-films….not First Class.
Donner Company is on top of making the Deadpool movie that fans want. They get it. He’s funny, tortured, clever, a bastard and mucho action!

I guess if the creator of the character is happy then that’s a good sign for the fans. Even though Deadpool/Wade Wilson appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine they are planning on giving him a mini-reboot instead of trying to work the ending of Wolverine into the movie. While this probably won’t make sense timeline-wise, I think it’s better in the long run and will allow Deadpool to have an origin movie all superheroes seem to need.

More X-Men talk. X4 still possible? Gavin Hood for Magneto?

Liam — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:58:27 +0000

Last week Tim Pocock who played Cyclops in X-Men Origins: Wolverine updated his Twitter page with the following:

currently shooting Australian TV series till February 2010…then X-men first class ;)

However, a few days later he had this to say:

victim of cruel prank.last tweet=NOT me.AM filming Aussie show till2010.no official word on XM:FC but am interested.please post retraction.

Was this actually a prank? Or had 20th Century Fox picked up on it and told him to shut his Twitter hole? Well /Film recently had the chance to ask producer Lauren Shuler Donner what’s going on:

According to Shuler Donner, there’s no truth to the initial claim at all. She announced that the film has no scheduled start date and will definitely not be kicking off in February. What’s more, she confirmed that no actors have signed contracts to appear in the film.
I asked if they had signed the young mutants up for an option on future films, and she admitted that yes, everybody was under option. No surprises there.

Donner also said that she is cooking up plans for an X-Men 4 and a movie based on The New Mutants, although having followed the X-Men films for years I know that Donner likes to blurt out ideas and nothing ever comes of them. I think that they should focus their attention on making the films they’ve already got scripts for like X-Men: First Class and X-Men Origins: Magneto…

…which brings me to an interview MTV had with X-Men Origins: Wolverine director Gavin Hood.

David Goyer has been the popular name mentioned to direct “X-Men Origins: Magneto,” but if the “Dark Knight” writer finds himself committed when the project finally comes together, Hood says he’d be willing to step behind the camera.
“I think the character of Magneto is still a phenomenally interesting character,” Hood told MTV News while discussing last week’s release of “Wolverine” on DVD and Blu-Ray.
“Absolutely, if I was asked I’d take an interest,” the director said. “But the truth is I haven’t been asked and I think that the studio right now is waiting to see how we do with the ["X-Men Origins: Wolverine"] DVDs, and who knows where we’ll all be if and when a ["Wolverine 2"] script is ready.”

In interviews Gavin Hood comes across as an intelligent and likeable guy, however I don’t want him directing Magneto. I’d prefer them to get someone with a bit more experience with big budget movies, and a director who can tell 20th Century Fox where to stick it when they start making stupid creative decisions.

X-Men: First Class to start filming next year?

Liam — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:15:44 +0000

Last week IESB spoke to X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner on the eve of the X-Men Origins: Wolverine DVD release, but she wasn’t giving much away regarding the future slate of films. They did have this exchange, however:

IESB: How soon before you go into production on any of the new X-Men films? Whether it be Wolverine or X-Men First Class or Deadpool?
LSD: Next year.
IESB: For which one?
LSD: (laughter) I can’t say, I’m sorry. But, some of these we just aren’t ready to talk about yet.

So which one is Donner hinting at? Deadpool doesn’t have a script, and they have only just started developing the story for Wolverine 2. David Goyer said last month that X-Men Origins: Magneto “will move forward in the next year or so”, however 20th Century Fox don’t seem to be in a rush to make it. That leaves X-Men: First Class, and thanks to Twitter we may have some sort of confirmation. Tim Pocock, who played Cyclops in Wolverine, updated his Twitter page with this:

currently shooting Australian TV series till February 2010…then X-men first class ;)

So Shuler Donner may not be ready to tell us what’s happening, but she’s let the relevant cast members know! Out of all the upcoming films mentioned above First Class is the one I am looking forward to seeing the most, mainly because there is a 99% chance Wolverine won’t be involved. The X-trilogy was Wolverine focused and it took the spotlight off other far more interesting characters.

First Class takes place during the first year at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and along with Cyclops we will most likely see Emma Frost (blonde lady above) and other young versions of Beast, Jean and Storm. They will probably add a few new characters into the mix too. First Class has the potential to become the first ‘true’ X-Men film. Whether it will turns out good or not depends on who they get to direct, and we should hear who that is over the upcoming months if they plan on filming next year.

Gavin Hood talks Wolverine 2

Liam — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:53:22 +0000

X-Men Origins: Wolverine will be released on DVD and Blu-ray next week and to promote this a Q & A session was held with director Gavin Hood and producer Lauren Shuler Donner. While the DVD and it’s features were the main topic of discussion, Hood was asked about Wolverine 2 which is currently being written by The Usual Suspects writer Christopher McQuarrie.

From Latino Review:

I just think that the Japanese story is so iconic and beautiful and could be so visual. That’s the one and I’m reluctant to talk about others because I know Len [Wein]’s writing others now. And honestly, here’s the truth: if the Japanese story works, there might be another sequel. And if it doesn’t, there won’t be. You can get ahead of yourselves by sort of stirring up rumors of what might be. I’m not going to even go there.
I don’t even know if I would be involved. Right now I’m not attached. Nobody’s attached. They’re developing a script and we’ll see where everybody is. I’m hoping to be shooting something next year and I don’t think that ‘Wolverine’ will be ready for next year. I haven’t been approached one way or another. The studio is obviously very cautious. They want to see how Wolverine does on DVD. Let them develop the script, let’s see what the script looks like, let’s see how the studio feels about the script, how Hugh feels about it and then we’ll take it from there.

Wolverine is the worst reviewed X-Men movie to date. The script wasn’t the best, the pacing was off and the effects (especially the claws) were worse than the first X-Men film. And while all of those weren’t all Gavin Hoods fault, I would prefer them to get a different director for the next film. Bryan Singer ideally.

Here’s an ad for the DVD and Blu-ray release:

And here’s a behind the scenes look at the helicopter chase scene which will be on the DVD (if you buy the 2 disc edition):

Fox developing Deadpool spin-off!

Liam — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:25:36 +0000

Both MTV and Variety have confirmed that 20th Century Fox are moving forward with the Deadpool spin-off they’ve been talking about ever since the character was added to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The idea from the very beginning was to introduce the character to audiences and lay foundations for a Deadpool solo film. X-Men Origins: Wolverine was recently deemed a success at the box office, therefore Fox have started to develop the spin-off with Ryan Reynolds returning as the Merc with the mouth.

Twentieth Century Fox has begun development on “Deadpool,” an “X-Men” spinoff that will be crafted as a star vehicle for Ryan Reynolds, who played the character in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
The character is one of the most popular in Marvel Comics’ X-Men universe. Deadpool is Wade Wilson, a mercenary who, dying of cancer, submits himself to the Weapon X genetic alteration experiment and emerges as an indestructible semi-sane anti-hero. Reynolds seemed destined to play the character. In one reference in the Marvel Comics, Deadpool is described as a mix between “a Shar Pei and Ryan Reynolds.”
In one of the “Easter egg” endings of “Wolverine,” Deadpool is seen rising from the rubble and whispering “Shhh” to audiences.
The film will be produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Marvel.

Fox are currently looking for a writers, and I’m sure Reynolds will be happy with this news. Here he is talking about what he’d like to see in the film when it was still up in the air:

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 talks Magneto and X-Men: First Class

Liam — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:50:14 +0000

Last week X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner revealed that she hopes X-Men: First Class becomes a new franchise, and that it will focus on younger version of characters we have already seen, such as Jean, Cyclops and Beast. Now she has spoken a bit more about it to Scifi Wire, and she also gave us an update on Magneto which may get some attention now X-Men Origins: Wolverine is almost out of the way.

What’s the latest on Magneto?
Shuler Donner: I don’t know. We have a great script. Honestly, we have all been just so focused on getting Wolverine out that we didn’t take the time to sit down and explore “What are the movies we’re going to do next within the genre?” We will do that. We will do that. We all want to. Magneto is a fantastic script, and hopefully we’ll make it. I don’t know.
How much will the reaction to Wolverine affect Magneto?
Shuler Donner: I think this is partly to do with it, yes. And then we have First Class, which is based on the X-Men comics’ first class and is very literal to the title. It’s the first class in Xavier’s school. But that’s just being written. I haven’t even seen a first draft. And I’m producing that with Simon Kinberg.
What interests you about First Class as a potential franchise?

Shuler Donner: I like kids. I did produce Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. I do like those kind of teenage movies; I really do. Part of it takes me to my roots. It’s action. There seems, to me, to be more humor, or more potential for humor. I really like that idea. The relationship … I don’t want to get into what the script is about, but it provides a bit of a lighter touch to the franchise.

I’m not sure I like the idea of the X-Men becoming more light with added humor, but then again Iron Man was ‘light’ compared to other comic book movies and had a few laughs. As long as it light as well as serious i’ll be happy.

However with X-Men Origins: Magneto…I want it dark, and with a script involving Nazi concentration camps and genocide I don’t see how it won’t be. I know 20th Century Fox like to make the most commerical movies possible, but I can’t see that with Magneto. They might aswell just make a dark, faithful movie rather than making it lighter in order to sell toys.

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.

Simon Beaufoy not writing Wolverine 2

Liam — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:22:47 +0000

A few days ago AICN were sent a tip that said Simon Beaufoy, who recently won an Oscar for his Slumdog Millionaire screenplay, had been recruited to write the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Well Entertainment Weekly managed to get in contact with his agent, who denied Beaufoy had the gig, although he did say producer Lauren Shuler Donner had spoken to him about Wolverine 2.

According to Beaufoy’s manager, Beaufoy was approached by Wolverine producer Lauren Shuler Donner to gauge the writer’s interest in W2, but no formal offer was made. A Fox source says that the two met at the Slumdog Oscar party and chatted about Wolverine there. Beaufoy, in any case, didn’t feel he was right for the project. Furthermore, Fox is saying that no Wolverine 2 project is actively being developed.

With 20th Century Fox marketing X-Men Origins: Wolverine like crazy, so it should earn enough to warrent a sequel. Jackman has hinted in interviews that he would be interested in heading to Japan next time round, however I don’t know where that would fit in the X-Men timeline as apparently X-Men Origins: Wolverine finishes off just before X1 begins.