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.
