Filmonic » Taylor Kitsch

Gambit and Silverfox heading to Mars

Liam — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:51:05 +0000

Taylor Kitsch, who played Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Lynn Collins, who played Wolverine’s female, have joined Disney’s John Carter of Mars. All we need now is Liev Schreiber and Will.I.Am and we have a Wolverine spin-off set in space!

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins will star in “John Carter of Mars,” the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs book series that Andrew Stanton is directing for Disney.
The movie is a big step for Stanton — who as one of Pixar’s top creators directed the company’s animated films “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E” but will now helm his first live-action feature — and Disney, which hopes the big-budget production will launch a franchise on the scale of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
“Carter” centers on a civil war veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported to Mars, where his involvement with warring races of the dying planet force him to rediscover his humanity.

I wonder if their involvement in X-Men Origins: Wolverine helped them get the roles, with one of them recommending the other to the director and producers. Either way this could end up rather entertaining, especially since they have Andrew Stanton who has worked magic at Pixar for years. However, will he be able to work the same magic in a live action environment?

In other John Carter news Thomas Haden Church, who played Sandman in Spider-Man 3, told Reel Talk that he too has joined the cast. The way things are going I wouldn’t be surprised if they hire an actor who appeared in The Dark Knight and another from Iron Man. Get all the superhero bases covered.

Filming will begin at the beginning of 2010, with the release date currently set for 2012. This gives them plently of time to get it right (and possibly change the name to something a little cooler).

Taylor Kitsch wants to go dark with Gambit next time round

Liam — Sun, 17 May 2009 10:12:54 +0000

If you like to keep up to date with all things Wolverine then you will know that 20th Century Fox and Hugh Jackman are developing a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, however one person who didn’t know that was Taylor Kitsch who plays Gambit. Kitsch recently spoke to Rotten Tomatoes at Cannes and he seemed pretty excited about possibly returning as Gambit for the sequel.

“Man, good on Hugh for doing that to his body again,” he laughed as we told him about the film. “I hadn’t heard that was going to happen! You have my brain going now about what I’d love to do with Gambit!”
“I’m just excited to go deeper into Gambit. It’s a flattering thing when people say that the only shitty part about the character is we didn’t see enough of him. If that’s the case, bring it on. I want to go deep into Gambit.”
“He has so many more colours to explore. I want to go dark with that cat. There are so many things I want people to see of him and he really is his own deal. In Wolverine he was very much moving the story along. If I can have some moments where you go deeper into Gambit’s back-story and why he was the way he was at that poker table — that’s a fun thing to explore.”
“I have the tools now to do some larger fights and I’d be really excited to get a chance to do that, too. I have so many ideas in my mind right now!”

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner recently said that Gambit would not be appearing in X-Men: First Class, but there were ‘internal discussions’ as to whether he would be popping up in Wolverine 2. I don’t think Gambit had a big enough role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine to warrent his own spin-off, so Wolverine 2 seems like the only place he could feature.

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.

Channing Tatum nearly ended up being Gambit

Liam — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:30:42 +0000

Just over a week ago Channing Tatum was saying that he had meetings about playing Thor in Marvel’s upcoming movie, but it didn’t work out. Now he has revealed to MTV another Marvel character he nearly ended up playing. Gambit.

“Man, I was dying to play [Gambit],” Tatum told MTV News. “My dad’s from Louisiana and I think I’ve always just gravitated towards Gambit in general. He’s just cooler than anything to me.”
Tatum very nearly got his chance when he was all-but cast as Gambit’s alter ego, Remy LeBeau, in Brett Ratner’s “X-Men: The Last Stand”. The character, however, was dropped at the last minute.
“They didn’t end up putting his character in because he’s such a big character that they were waiting…”
When it was decided that Gambit would make his big-screen debut in “Wolverine” instead, Tatum was immediately contacted about the role, but found that it would be impossible to work out in terms of schedule due to his commitments with “G.I. Joe.” The role ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch instead, a choice that Tatum endorses with just a little bit of jealousy.
“I’m really interested to see how the guy plays him because I have a pretty clear version of Gambit in my head,” Tatum. “I’m sure the guy is going to be great, though.”

I’m glad Taylor Kitsch got the part. He has the look and from what we’ve seen it seems he has pulled it off. We’ll have to wait another 2 weeks to see the final product though.

5 X-Men Origins: Wolverine character profiles

Liam — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:55:54 +0000

MTV revealed 5 cool character profile videos for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. They feature Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) and John Wraith (Will.i.am) all talking about their characters and their motives. We also get some new footage in places. Watch below!

New Wolverine images + three 60 second TV spots coming!

Liam — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:05:28 +0000

IGN, ComingSoon and LatinoReview were each sent new images from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. They feature a cool shot of Gambit played by Taylor Kitsch, an epic shot of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) going against Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber) and a third of Sabretooth looking like a menace. Despite being photoshopped to hell and back, they still look cool.

It appears 20th Century Fox are starting to pump up the marketing, as we will be getting 3 minutes worth of footage between now and next week.

Beginning Sunday, viewers across the nation can witness the origins of one of the year’s most anticipated movies, when Twentieth Century Fox debuts an exclusive, three-part reveal of X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE on FOX.
For this unprecedented promotional event – which is too big for one night – the studio has created three special 60-second spots, one leading into the next, and which together form a narrative. The first spot airs this Sunday (February 15) on “Family Guy,” the second on Monday (Feb. 16) on “House,” and the third on Tuesday (Feb. 17) on “American Idol.”

Fox may not be the most loved movie studio but they sure as hell know now to market stuff!

Hugh Jackman responds to reshooting

Liam — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:04:44 +0000

Hugh Jackman has responded to the X-Men Origins: Wolverine reshooting fiasco. From AICN:

Hey everyone -
It’s Hugh Jackman, sending this note from freezing Vancouver. I have read a lot of your online comments regarding the footage that we are currently shooting and I share your passion for the Wolverine character and the movie – I owe it all to you guys!
I wanted to reach out and let you know that due to scheduling conflicts with certain cast members and location/weather considerations, we had to wait until now to shoot a couple of scenes. Please rest assured that WOLVERINE will be badass and hopefully meet all of your expectations. I am stoked by the positive response to the teaser, which clearly reflects the tone and scope of the film. If you like that, we’ve got much more in store!
In the meantime, here’s an exclusive shot of some characters you may recognize…
Cheers,
Hugh

Wolverine reshoots are bad apparently

Liam — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:09:14 +0000

We told you two days ago that additional filming for X-Men Origins: Wolverine was taking place in Vancouver. They started on the 12th and they will be wrapping up in 2 weeks. Reports have come in that Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber, Taylor Kitsch and Dominic Monaghan will be involved in the reshoots, with Dominic talking to Popwrap Blog about them:

Asked if it’s a reshoot or an additional scene, Monaghan says “We’re doing a bit of both, more than anything else, it’s an additional scene… my character features in a huge set piece with Hugh and Liev [Schreiber]. I think the best thing I can tell you is that it’s a flashback scene.”

However, as this is the internet this 2 week reshoot has caused mass hysteria. Collider are reporting that ‘extensive’ reshoots are taking place, and AICN call the reshoots ‘massive’. They back up their over-reacting by recalling the false rumours we heard during filming. One involved director Richard Donner apparently ‘ghost directing’ because Gavin Hood couldn’t do it himself. The actual truth being he was there because of his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner.

Then there was another bullshit rumour about 20th Century Fox going behind director Gavin Hood’s back and repainting the set. Whoever makes up this crap should work for the same British tabloid that came up with the ‘Eddie Murphy in Batman 3′ story.

If people didn’t get a buzz from making stuff up then we would now be getting less hysterical reports and posts with actual common sense. Alas, this is the internet, where common sense is almost non-existent. Hugh Jackman and friends are probably filming scenes that will improve the film, and they have 3 months to add any special effects if needed.

There will be an X-Men Origins: Wolverine TV spot during the Super Bowl on February 1st, and we will no doubt get more stuff between now and May.

Taylor Kitsch screwed up his first Gambit audition

Liam — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:08:31 +0000

Despite the movie being called X-Men Origins: Wolverine most X-Men fans are eager to see Gambit make his first appearance on the big screen. We’ve seen glimpses in the trailer and I’m sure we will see more action in the Super Bowl TV spot, however so far it looks like Taylor Kitsch and director Gavin Hood have got the character pretty spot on, which is lucky considering Taylor screwed up in his first audition for the role. He told NYMag:

“It was a f*cking battle,” he says of landing ladies’ man–mutant Gambit. He flubbed his first reading because he was tired. “But I got my managers to get me back in because I knew I could crush the role.”

You can watch the X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer by clicking here and if you plan on watching the Super Bowl on February 1st keep your eyes open for a Wolverine TV spot.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer!

Liam — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:35:32 +0000

After seeing a couple of crappy bootleg versions, the full HD trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is now online! It doesn’t differ too much from the Comic Con trailer we got earlier this year, however the effects are improved and we have a few more scenes and treats. Out of the 2009 summer blockbusters, this is the one I am looking forward to the most. Watch the trailer below!

Taylor Kitsch as Gambit

Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth

Tahyna Tozzi as Emma Frost

A young Storm