Vaughn is now off X-Men 3

[Majik1387]

Well, I for one am happy to see this director gone. By the way go to this link for the story.
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/news.php?id=2308

After reading about all the new things this director was bringing into the third installment of X-Men, I knew things couldn't be running as smoothly as it was made out to be.

[D.K.HOOD]

Well it doesn't look like they're going to change the script so if you worried before about all the things being added to X3 then you should still be worried. My heart goes out to the guy. He has a chance of a lifetime to direct a huge Marvel project and has to drop out because of what I can only guess is family related.

Well, just to throw a name out there of a guy I'd like to see directing a C2F somebody should give David Fury a call. He's been a writerproducer on shows like Buffy, Angel, and Lost. He directed the 100th episode of Angel and he also diirected one of my favorite Buffy eps called Lies My Parents Told Me. This guy is used to writing for a lot of characters and directing large casts so I think he'd fit right in.

[kidcomix]

:twisted: Though I'm not sorry to see that director Vaughn to go. It only proves one thing that X3 is in need of a serious rewrite. I still firmly believe that the studios should wait for Singer to finish his banal Superman flick so he can work on the next X films. I mean this is his baby and he knows exactly the direction to take the next saga. Sequels tend to be lackluster when there's a new director at the helm. It's never the same movie. Shumacher's Batman and Robin ring a bell? T3? Gag me. As for Whedon directing, yes he would give it an interesting interpretation since he did work on the first X script but he's already commited to doing the Wonder Woman movie so I hope he's not burning his bridges but attempting to do several comic films at once.

[norrinraad]

Part of me is tempted to say I'd rather just wait for Singer to become available again, but that would mean no more X-Men films until about 2008. If memory serves Singer is contracted to do Logan's Run right after Superman for 2007 release. That would push X-Men back to at least the following year or longer.

As much as I enjoyed Singer's vision, is he really the only one who can direct an X-Men film? This is a huge franchise for Fox so it shouldn't be too hard to attract some serious talent to the directing chair. I doubt any of the really big names would do it but there are plenty of young talented directors in Hollywood who could be given a shot.

Given that Singer was respected for a couple of smaller films when he made the first X-Men (same with Nolan and Batman for that matter), there are a couple indie directors I could live with for X-Men. One is Richard Kelly, who handled the human and sci fi aspects of Donnie Darko beautifully. Another is Greg McLean, who made an amazingly atmopheric Aussie horror film called Wolf Creek. Someone like these guys would make an interesting choice, while saving millions of dollars on a superstar director's salary that could go into the production.

[Soccerdude]

Guys,I'm kinda new at the whole Hollywood thing,but could we delay X-3 a little bit(a year or so),and have Bryan Singer go work on it when all aspects of SuperMan are done?

I have no porblem waiting a few months to a year so that X-3 is done in the same manner as X-1 and X-2.

[Essex]

It only proves one thing that X3 is in need of a serious rewrite.

Um....how exactly does it prove that?

How does a guy leaving for personal reason reflect on the film at all? You're really reaching there. For all you know, the script pulls everything off marvelously. Or am I mistaken and you've actually read it?

[Bigkid]

Well, I think for some of us, maybe there is a little bit of skeptisism perhaps about his departure. In other words, maybe they are just SAYING that for family reasons he's decided to leave the project. I mean, that could be a little bit of p.r. work being done in order to make the fans of this film think that there really ISN'T a problem with the script, but ........you know....... you never know! It's better for this guy to bow out NOW if indeed he DOES have a problem with the script, and then just tell the press, "it's too much to uproot my family and live for months away from home". I mean, that's a completely valid point, and I'm not saying that Vaughn is NOT telling the truth, but people aren't going to question that there is a problem with the script if they see THAT as a reasoning. It's very logical and human to NOT want to have to be away from your family OR have to uproot them to make a film, no question. But if we all remember some of Vaughn's earlier quotes when he was saying how it's a little tough to jump iinto this franchise because he didn't have original say over the cast, and he may not see the character's development the way the actor portraying that character might have envisioned them. So there could be the outside chance that he was already having "creative differences" with some of the cast members already, and maybe everybody just mutually decided to end it........with the explanation that Mr. Vaughn didn't want to have to spend time either AWAY from his family for months, or that he didn't think it was in his family's best interests to uproot them for months at a time.

[DarrenJSeeley]

Actually, I was surprised to hear Vaughn pull out; his current film, the low budget crime thriller "Layer Cake" is getting good word of mouth, and I truly believe he was a factor in getting Vinnie Jones in the cast.

The script was still being worked on, and with a changing of the guard, that means the sp (what little anyone knows of it) could be changed more or just one step away from the dumpster.

Should we wait for Singer? The answer is no. As pointed out, he has Supes and the Logan's Run update. The actors who have signed on or about to sign on could now drop out or put X3 on the backburner. Most of the cast needed have already rearranged schedules and what not for prep and filming.

If X3 is held back (big mistake) then Marv/Fox should get the ball rolling on theMagneto and Wolverine
spin off projects. This way, either one could buy some time and lead into X3 if needed. That's scenerio #1.

Second option: find another director for X3 ASAP
But who?

In order, here's my "replacement" list, starting best bet first:

Richard Donner - He was a exec producer on the last two films, and he seems to have luck when his name is on a C2F property.

Joe Johnston Friend of Steven Spielberg; you know his works; Rocketeer, Jurassic Park 3, Hildago.

Tom DeSanto Could make a directorial debut if Singer's Xmen producer pal wanted to take that step.

Kevin Renyolds underrated director who directed "Count Of Monte Christo" and "Robin Hood".

Peter Jackson - that may be a shocking speculation, but shouldn't "King Kong" be a wrap by the time Fox wants X3 cameras rolling?


[/u]

[dperceful]

In other words, maybe they are just SAYING that for family reasons he's decided to leave the project. I mean, that could be a little bit of p.r. work being done in order to make the fans of this film think that there really ISN'T a problem with the script, but ........you know....... you never know! It's better for this guy to bow out NOW if indeed he DOES have a problem with the script, and then just tell the press, "it's too much to uproot my family and live for months away from home". I mean, that's a completely valid point, and I'm not saying that Vaughn is NOT telling the truth, but people aren't going to question that there is a problem with the script if they see THAT as a reasoning.

when did oliver stone start posting on the boards?

c'mon....the buzz around the script is good buzz. the guy was working for the film, he got kelsey grammer in....he wanted him he got him. that's a guy working for his vision. fact is, no one here has read the script...or how juggernaut, kitty, beast, and the others play into it. this is fox's big money maker.....they are going to get someone who they think will give them the proper vision for fans and movie audiences all around. everyone saw what happened to batman...if blade, xmen, and spiderman had not came along.....batman would not be coming out in a few weeks. fox is going to treat it with care....marvel has script control.....take deep breaths. i would start worrying when they announce joel schumacher as the director.

[D.K.HOOD]

: As for Whedon directing, yes he would give it an interesting interpretation since he did work on the first X script but he's already commited to doing the Wonder Woman movie so I hope he's not burning his bridges but attempting to do several comic films at once.

No, I don't Whedon, I want Fury as in David Fury. As you have stated Whedon's got enough on his plate as it is, so why not get one his disciples to helm X3. Personally I'd feel more comfortable with a guy like that who has been around the superhero genre, directed fight sequences and knows how to pace a story with multiple characters.

Of course I could think of other big names who have the same qualifications like Tarantino or JJ Abrams but they aren't going to do it. Tarantino isn't likely to direct a film he didn't write and Abrams is too busy with MI:3 and his tv shows. Maybe if Guy Ritchie isn't doing anything he might be a good choice to take over, afterall Vaugn's Layer Cake movie seems pretty similar to Ritchie's films.

As for picking some indie director out ot the blue, that doesn't seem like a great idea for the 3rd movie. They would have to direct one exciting indie flick for me to get behind them directing X3.

[easy D]

But Marvel and Fox did choose Bryan Singer. Remember, this guy has never directed a big budget action film before X-Men, and he really wasn't too familiar with the characters. It makes sense for Marvel to stay the course with unknown indie directors.
And as for a replacement, I liked the idea that the studios were flirting with the idea of bringing in Dawn of the Dead's Zack Snyder. I dunno, maybe he would bring in a new, grittier, vision to the film. And if doesn't get it, well maybe when Wolverine gets his own flick.
And as for bringing in Joss Whedon or one of his cronies from back in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer days, well, I didn't really like the show, and I'm afraid it would turn out like a 2 hour (or more) long episode.

[D.K.HOOD]

If you want to settle for X3 only being as good as the first X-Men, then yeah go ahead and get someone who hasn't directed anything with action and special effects. This is the 3rd film and could be the last for the major characters, it has to be better than X2 or at least just as good, and X2 was far better than X-Men.

DarrenJSeeley brought up a name that would be a good fit; Joe Johnston. Jurassic Park 3 was a great flick, much better than Lost World. I like that choice.

I still haven't seen Donnie Darko yet, although I keep hearing good things about it, and the one snipit I saw with that freaky looking rabbit creeped the hell out of me, so of course I wouldn't mind that director taking over X3 . Just think what he could do with Beast! :)

[fadexero]

Walter Hill-48 hours, Another 48 Hours, Trespass, Alien 3, The Driver, The Warriors, and Last Man Standing. If he's still alive, he'd be great.

David Lynch-You know what he's done. Dune, Eraser Head, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Lost Highway. Brilliant man, he could really flesh out an outrageous story.

George Miller-Mad Max movies, Wiches of Eastwick. C'mon...Mad Max!

Robert Rodriguez-Um...Dusk till Dawn, The El Mariachi Trilogy, Sin City, The Faculty, and those Spy Kids movies...whatever. He's...a great Director, and knows what to do with a comic book.

Ron Howard-Just Because I think he could make a movie of a fly circling crap, a great movie.

Roger Spottiswoode-6th Day, Air America, The Best of Times. Just because.

Ridley Scott-G.I. Jane, White Squall, Matchstick Men, Hannibal, Gladiator, Legend, Blade Runner, Alien. He's my top pick, because well, this man can get it done.

These are just some directors I'd like to see do it. All have had at least a couple hit films. BUt I bet each of them would sacrifice alot to make X-3 work, cause they all know, this would put them in the books, forevor.

[Majik1387]

Well, I'm happy with the new director, Brett Ratner, because he has been working with Bryan Singer and I think, possibly, some of Singer's influence in the X-Men movies will rub off on him.

[fadexero]

ah Yes...the Rush Hour movies Man. Interesting choice, he might do well.

[norrinraad]

Now there's an interesting little piece of synergy right there. Way back in '03 I believe that Ratner was supposed to direct Superman Returns while everyone assumed Singer would be directing X-3. Now the roles have reversed. Another little nugget for future Trivia games.

___________
"I love women! I love how they look. I love how they smell. I love how they feel. I love them! I really do!"
-The aggressively heterosexual Tom Cruise in an interview with Readers Digest.

[Bigkid]

In other words, maybe they are just SAYING that for family reasons he's decided to leave the project. I mean, that could be a little bit of p.r. work being done in order to make the fans of this film think that there really ISN'T a problem with the script, but ........you know....... you never know! It's better for this guy to bow out NOW if indeed he DOES have a problem with the script, and then just tell the press, "it's too much to uproot my family and live for months away from home". I mean, that's a completely valid point, and I'm not saying that Vaughn is NOT telling the truth, but people aren't going to question that there is a problem with the script if they see THAT as a reasoning.

when did oliver stone start posting on the boards?

c'mon....the buzz around the script is good buzz. the guy was working for the film, he got kelsey grammer in....he wanted him he got him. that's a guy working for his vision. fact is, no one here has read the script...or how juggernaut, kitty, beast, and the others play into it. this is fox's big money maker.....they are going to get someone who they think will give them the proper vision for fans and movie audiences all around. everyone saw what happened to batman...if blade, xmen, and spiderman had not came along.....batman would not be coming out in a few weeks. fox is going to treat it with care....marvel has script control.....take deep breaths. i would start worrying when they announce joel silver as the director.

D GREAT ONE!
Very funny........ the Oliver Stone thing.
It really wasn't supposed to be meant that way (I'm not one for conspirousy theories either), it was a "imagine this" sort of thing. That's all. As for the inevitable choice that they took, in Brett Ratner, I don't think ti's a bad choice....... I mean, I've seen him interviewed, and he seems to be right out of that "Generation X" sort of director that is way into the comic book thing, and I think he'd be able to tap into what makes a great X-film as result of it. I think he'll do fine.

[DarrenJSeeley]

Ugh.

Brett is confirmed. I hope he does better than "After The Sunset", his previous pic, and "Red Dragon". In any case, at least his name isn't Michael Bay.

Then you would have a riot on your hands.

[DarrenJSeeley]

Walter Hill-48 hours, Another 48 Hours, Trespass, Alien 3, The Driver, The Warriors, and Last Man Standing. If he's still alive, he'd be great.
.

Yes, he's still living, and one of my fave pix from the 80's ids "Streets Of Fire", and I loved "The Long Riders" and "The Warriors". He also has been a co-producer of all the Alien films as well. Once upon a time in the late eighties/early nineties he was connected to a LA version of Mai The Psychic Girl, but that project went nowhere.

Walter could do a comic book to film movie hogtied if he wanted to and still make a decent pic. While he won't be on X-Men, he's be top notch for something like "Jonah Hex" or maybe even "Nick Fury". The reason being is that the majority of the action films he has directed is strongly influenced by legends and mythology of all eras, usually archetypes of the Old West or Greek mythology. The Warriors, in fact, is loosely inspired by Homer's The Odyessy.

But it's been a long time since he's gotten behind the camera, last time was "Supernova" which was such a mess in post=production and studio delays that Hill took a psydonym ("Thomas Lee")


As for David Lynch....he could be offered Doctor Strange and probably get away with it. Or if DC gave him a House Of Mystery.

[fadexero]

DarrenJSeele, indeed I agrre with the Lynch statement, as for Brett, give him a chance. After the sunset was decent, but you Have to Admit, the Rush Hours were good. He's had his ups and downs like any other Director, maybe he will put his heart and soul into this one, knowing if he screws up, he'll be shot...twice.

[dperceful]

oops

[dperceful]

As for the inevitable choice that they took, in Brett Ratner, I don't think ti's a bad choice....... I mean, I've seen him interviewed, and he seems to be right out of that "Generation X" sort of director that is way into the comic book thing, and I think he'd be able to tap into what makes a great X-film as result of it. I think he'll do fine.

i'm not sold on ratner. red dragon....c'mon you had anthony hopkins and ed norton....that film directs itself. i did like his use of colors and he kept a good feel to that movie, and i enjoyed it overall. we will see....he definitely has had to deal with big movies and studios. i'll hope for mediocre and he can surprise me with something better.

dan

[Bigkid]

I thought about this some the last couple of days, and my feeling is, is that maybe after a couple of films that he didn't do as well with, maybe THIS time he will get it right. Don't forget, that sometimes these guys (directors), will take a job JUST for the sake of taking one.......to keep themselves busy and "in the loop", so to speak, to keep their names out there just so the right project comes along in the hopes that people will take them. I mean, Ratner has directed some fairly well known flicks, and I believe the people over at Fox probably feel that this film is the right timing to bring him in on. Personally, I thought a long time ago that they should've tried somebody like Richard Donner (who somebody else here in this thread had recently brought up). The fact is, his wife has been the producer of these films since the beginning, so even though he hasn't been behind the camera for some time, I believe he would've been a great choice, too, considering his OWN track record of well directed, character driven action flicks (Lethal Weapon comes to mind, just as an example).

[DarrenJSeeley]

Personally, I thought a long time ago that they should've tried somebody like Richard Donner (who somebody else here in this thread had recently brought up). The fact is, his wife has been the producer of these films since the beginning, so even though he hasn't been behind the camera for some time...

Looking at X-Men and X2 credits, you are only half right. Richard Donner was an exec producer on the first film, not the second. His wife has been, as you mentioned, a producer on both films.

Richard Donner's previous directing effort was "Timeline", which starred Gerald Butler and Paul Walker, based on the way better Michael Critchon novel of the same name.

[The Xenos]

Richard Donner did Timeline? Wow. That movie was terrible. Then agian I think Crighton wrote the book in his sleep.

Anyway, moreso than Ratner directing, I worry about the story. Who is driving this truck?

There was a AICN report by Moriarty (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20363) that said:

"And Avi Arad wasn’t kidding when he called the film “controversial,” either. Three major characters that absolutely should not die, die. Really dead, too. Not Spock Dead. And one mutant who should not lose her powers, loses her powers permanently. Really loses them, too. Not SUPERMAN II loses them. And the sex scene... when you see who does what to who... oh, boy. The entire X-MEN universe may face some incredible overhauls, and it's going to be fascinating to see what fandom does when faced with this stuff."

Then again a recent interview with a writer says that was an old rough draft:
http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=13686

"So what about the spoilers that Aintitcoolnews posted regarding death of mutants and sex scenes? According to Simon the script that Moriarty was referring to was 4 months old and was actually the first 88 pages of a rough draft. Bottom line is that the script that AICN was referring to is different to the one that is being prepped right now."

I sure hope those stupid ideas did get tossed out.

-Xenos

[D.K.HOOD]

So Ratner really is doing X3? Its not a hoax or a bad dream? Shit!

[imported_Thom]

A somewhat reassuring article from/about Ratner on MTV.com:

http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1503704/06072005/story.jhtml

At least the guy's pretty upfront about addressing concerns and stuff. And understands that his résumé is... different than one would expect.

[DarrenJSeeley]

I worry about the story. Who is driving this truck?

"...Avi Arad wasn’t kidding when he called the film “controversial,” either. Three major characters that absolutely should not die, die.... one mutant who should not lose her powers, loses her powers permanently. And the sex scene... when you see who does what to who... "

I sure hope those stupid ideas did get tossed out.

-Xenos

Here here. But y'know something funny? When I first heard about this alleged early draft, my first thougtht was it wasn't a joke. It was Days Of Futures Past, or an attempt of it.

[Bigkid]

Personally, I thought a long time ago that they should've tried somebody like Richard Donner (who somebody else here in this thread had recently brought up). The fact is, his wife has been the producer of these films since the beginning, so even though he hasn't been behind the camera for some time...

Looking at X-Men and X2 credits, you are only half right. Richard Donner was an exec producer on the first film, not the second. His wife has been, as you mentioned, a producer on both films.

Richard Donner's previous directing effort was "Timeline", which starred Gerald Butler and Paul Walker, based on the way better Michael Critchon novel of the same name.

Let's not forget something else about Donner: He's been directing films and t.v. since the 1960's (he once did and episode of "Gilligan's Island", if you can believe THAT!), plus, he directed the very first big screen version of "Superman". So the boy's been 'round the block a few times, ya know?
But it's a moot point at this point........Ratner's the director, and that's all there is to it.

[Essex]

Brett Ratner directed the pilot of Fox's upcoming series Prison Break, which is actually really well done. I was impressed with Ratner's cold stylishness and his ability to handle multiple storylines. The show itself isn't perfect but it's pretty good, and more importantly, I like what Ratner did here. I thinl Ratner just may do a great job with the reins of X3, especially working with such a stellar cast already in tune with their characters.

[DarrenJSeeley]

I decided to post my thoughts on this in this thread instead of making a new one. If you follow that "green lit" fan feed (which meeans source is credible) and read Neil Gaiman's blog, you'll notice two things:

1. At the end of the brief report, it specifically states he visited X3 offices before Matthew Vaughn left (he links to AICN). He says nothing about Brett Ratner.

2. The "spoilers" are , um, what's the best way to put this? I know. They are not spoliers. A Magneto vs Wolverine fight? Not exactly. Read what Gaiman reports. According to Gaiman, that's what the FX guys said what they would be reduced to if budget and time constraints didn't 'loosen up'. Stop and think, folks. A climatic battle between Logan and Mags would be echoes of the first film. Been there done that.

[Pod]

Well from the success of the trailer, I'd say it wasn't soo bad that Vaughn got off this project. Ratner is good and all, but not Singer. I don't think I care now on the director because I liked what I saw from the new trailer. And if it's not Singer, and not Vaughn, it's good it's Ratner. :wink:

[Bigkid]

But the problem with trailers, though (with ANY trailer), sometimes the film IS the trailer.......the best of the best of the film is usually put into these things. I don't think that's the case HERE....... but, you never know.....ya know??! :lol:

[Pod]

But the problem with trailers, though (with ANY trailer), sometimes the film IS the trailer.......the best of the best of the film is usually put into these things. I don't think that's the case HERE....... but, you never know.....ya know??! :lol:

Yeah that's mostly the reason for Director's Cuts of the movie. It's a better version most of the time. So I guess I'll see X3 in theaters and get the DC when it comes out on DVD. :D