Bryan Singer, on the left, directs Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman
© Twentieth Century Fox
X-Men 3
By: Development HeckDate: Friday, December 30, 2005
Genre:
Comic Book Adaptation/Action/Sequel.
Studio:
20th Century Fox.
Production Company:
Marvel Entertainment.
Project Phase:
Pre-production.
Who's In It:
Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Kelsey Grammer, Vinnie Jones, Eric Dane.
Who's Making It:
Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn (Screenwriter); Brett Ratner (Director).
Premise:
Unknown. In a spring 2004 interview with Bryan Singer, one of the ideas he said he was thinking of for X3 would involve what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself. With Singer's departure from the project that story idea is also likely gone.
Release Date:
May 5, 2006 (tentative).
Comments:
With buzz for X2 reaching stratospheric proportions, chances are very good that a third film in the mutant franchise will get greenlit one day. But which characters will be returning for X3?
Scoop Feedback:
April 29, 2003... According to a Reuters news article, a number of actors from X2 are under contract to appear in as many as three new X-Men movies. One of the stars who isn't is actress Halle Berry, and director Bryan Singer is unsure whether the Oscar-winning actress would sign a new contract for any future X-Men sequels. "I don't know about Halle," Reuters quoted Singer as saying. [First appeared in Reuters news service.]
If Berry isn't a necessary ingredient in making X-Men 3, the actor who plays Wolverine is -- at least according to one of the film's producers. "[I'll] never do an X-Men without Wolverine, so production on a third film will depend on Hugh's availability," producer Lauren Shuler-Donner told The Calgary Sun while promoting X2.
Still, according to an interview with page/0,5936,6326151%255E3164,00.html" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph, Jackman hints that his mind is not made up whether he'll play the character again in any future X-Men or spinoff films. Of course, bear in mind that the second film hasn't even opened yet and that contract negotiations between studios and stars can be fickle. Our best assumtion is that you will see Jackman wear the pork chop sideburns again one day -- but it will be for his biggest paycheck yet.
One actor who believes he'll be back for X3 is Shawn Ashmore (who plays Iceman). "If there's a third, it's gonna be Bobby's and Pyro's turn to have a showdown," Ashmore told The Toronto Sun. "You know, fire and ice."
But will Alan Cumming want to sacrifice many good night's sleeps to get madeup as the blue-skinned teleporter Nightcrawler again? "It sort of puts me off doing X3," Cumming said to Empire Online, with a laugh.
December 5, 2003... X-MEN director Bryan Singer has struck a deal with 20th Century Fox that will see him develop new film projects exclusively for the movie studio. Singer may direct or produce these new Fox movies, and one picture that the studio is eager for him to helm is X-MEN 3. Singer is presently in talks with the studio separately to helm X3.
Singer's new deal with Fox will allow his film production company, Bad Hat Harry, to set up shop on the Fox lot. Alex Garcia, the development director for Bat Hat Harry, is accompaning Singer to their new Fox digs and will add to their staff as the projects they begin to develop take root and sprout into feature films.
"We had such a fantastic experience with Bryan on X2 -- he was a great partner who navigated the process, which included the magnitude of the budget, the number of visual effects, and our desire to build on the first film and make a better and more satisfying movie," said 20th Century Fox production president Hutch Parker about Singer's contract with the studio. "The deal is an outgrowth of the strong relationship we built on those two films."
X3 is in the early development phase, which may mean it doesn't as yet have a viable storyline nailed down. New contracts will have to be negotiated with all the X-MEN actors since their original deals were only good for two movies. [Variety.]
December 16, 2003... Speaking with Dark Horizons, X-MEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner told the website her thoughts on where development is on the next installment of Fox's mutant franchise. Shuler Donner said that the writers of X2, Dan Harris and Mike Dougherty, would be the same writing team to work on X3, and that a movie centered on the character of Wolverine would be developed at the same time. She also indicated that one of the plot points in the third movie would be the return of Jean Grey and her transformation into Phoenix. "We have to, we kind of left that out there so we have to follow that thread along with some other stories," Shuler Donner told DH.
In addition to finding out the latest on X3, the X-MEN producer also talked a bit about who is and who isn't signed for X3 so far, her resolve to get everyone back for a third film and which new mutant she would like to see introduced in a new X-MEN outing: "I have a great idea for Gambit but I can't say what it is."
More? Activate your innate mutant gene with Dark Horizons.
February 24, 2004... Late last night a scoop rolled in from an anonymous user telling us what the premise for X-MEN 3 was to be. Needless to say, we were skeptical.
The user told us that they had read it all in the next issue of Wizard, a magazine devoted to following the comic book industry. Since the new issue wasn't released to stores yet, we did some checking and managed to verify that a whole slew of new X-MEN movie information will indeed be appearing in the next issue of Wizard, including quotes from director Bryan Singer, producer Lauren Shuler-Donner and X2 scribe Michael Dougherty.
Among the facts dropped in the mag are: the idea by Singer to shoot X-MEN 3 and X-MEN 4 at the same time; how many primary characters are currently in the X3 treatment (which includes Beast); which actors are likely to reappear in the second sequel; other filmmakers that Singer has been meeting with regarding the latest breakthroughs in filmmaking technology; and spinoff movies using Wolverine and other X-Men characters.
Perhaps the biggest news is the revelation of what the general premise of X-MEN 3 will be about -- or is, at least at this early stage of the game. According to Singer, the idea behind X3 is what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself.
The new issue of Wizard is slated for release tomorrow.
[Thanks to the first anonymous for sending it in and the second anonymous for confirming it.]
May 7, 2004... X-MEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner spoke about the latest plan to make X-MEN 3 at last Wednesday's Saturn Awards. Shuler Donner revealed that ideas for the third film outing of Marvel's mutant superhero team are starting to coagulate, and that she anticipates a start of filming on X3 sometime in June 2005 to make a May 2, 2006 release date.
The veteran producer also said she hopes to make the second sequel with the inclusion of popular comic characters The Beast and Gambit, and that she hopes she can entice Halle Berry back to don the white wig as Storm. "I certainly hope so, because I love working with her," Shuler Donner is quoted as saying by Sci-Fi Wire. "We would only write a big huge role for her, so she's right in that respect, and we would make sure that that would happen."
The X-MEN producer didn't address the comments published in an issue of Wizard two months back that the storyline of X3 would touch upon evolution gone wild, but she did say that the Dark Phoenix storyline from the comics would be used somehow in X3 and that Famke Janssen would be back. "We love Famke anyway, so, yeah," answered Shuler Donner. "Well, she's Dark Phoenix. She's Jean Grey." [Sci Fi Wire.]
May 27, 2004... Fox has slotted X-MEN 3 for a tentative May 5, 2006 release date. All they need now is Bryan Singer, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart...oh, and a finished screenplay. Get cracking guys!
July 13, 2005... It all began last week with Dark Horizons. A week ago the Australian-based film website published a rumor that singer and emerging actress Jessica Simpson (MTV's NEWLYWEDS) had sent off an audition tape to the producers of X-MEN 3, in the hopes that a role could be created for her in the film -- specifically, as the mutant singer called Dazzler. The story is credited by Horizons as first appearing in "local news outlets of Spokane, Washington."
And a week later Dark Horizons story has landed in The Irish Examiner. That paper now reports the Simpson/X-MEN 3 rumor -- except they say she has "landed" a role in X3. Quoting a source, the paper reports "They will possibly give her a small role in X-MEN 3 as a lounge-singer to introduce the character of Dazzler."
Work on the screenplay for X-MEN 3 hasn't kicked off yet but 20th Century Fox wants it ready to show to fans in May 2006. [Dark Horizons, The Irish Examiner.]
July 19, 2004... After being first reported ten days ago as a rumor, Variety has confirmed that X-MEN director Bryan Singer has signed on to be the new director of Warner Bros. SUPERMAN film. Joining Singer will be his X2 writers Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty. The pair will write a fresh screenplay for Singer's SUPERMAN, and Warners still has it in mind to have the film shooting in Australia come November with a budget of $200 million dollars.
How this affects 20th Century Fox's attempts to nuture a third X-MEN movie remains unclear. Singer had been in negotiations with Fox to direct the next installment of the Marvel Comics film franchise, but with his new involvement on SUPERMAN now dominating his future, would Fox wait until Singer's schedule cleared up (which might be a year to 18 months away)? Chances are slim the studio would adopt such a strategy. At the present time Fox is still hoping for a May 2006 for X-MEN 3. [Variety.]
Augusy 6, 2004... In the wake of Bryan Singer's agreement with Warner Bros. to direct the new SUPERMAN movie, 20th Century Fox has abruptly terminated its two-year development deal with the X-MEN director and his Bat Hat Harry production company. Fox was still in the first year of its contract with Singer and it did not include the X-MEN films under its terms.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Singer had been eager to negotiate a contract with Fox to direct the third X-MEN movie. He had been conducting talks with Fox for months and eventually a new deal had been tentatively agreed upon by both parties. Just as things looked good for THE USUAL SUSPECTS helmer to sign a contract to direct X3, the opportunity arose for Singer to work with Warners and direct SUPERMAN. Singer lept at the chance and a contract was signed between the two parties within days of the job being offered. Fox, still believing it had a deal with Singer all but signed, learned they had lost the director of their superhero franchise to a competitor when the news first broke online at Ain't It Cool News one Friday night last month. The news became official when it was reported in the trades the following week.
Unlike the Fox deal, Warners was interested in hiring Singer on a pay-or-play agreement, meaning that even if the movie didn't happen Singer would still be guaranteed of getting a check from Warner Bros. (a similar event happened when Tim Burton's SUPERMAN movie failed to materialize.)
The departure of Singer from X-MEN 3 has left 20th Century Fox somewhere between a rock and a hard place. If they hope to still make their May 2006 release date for X3, a writer and director will have to be selected shortly and new contracts with the stars that have appeared in the first two X-MEN movies will have to be brokered. With Singer's development deal at Fox now dead, the studio may be sending an unwritten message that there's now bad blood between the two and they don't want anything to do with the man that developed their latest franchise.
[Variety, Anonymous.]
August 12, 2004... We may have accidentally set in motion a chain of events that, at the worst, could develop into a full-blown rumor. The best case scenario? 20th Century Fox may have found their replacement for Bryan Singer on X-MEN 3.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER creator Joss Whedon has been quoted by two different online publications (Sci Fi Wire and Coming Soon) that he would in fact be up for directing the third movie in Fox's X-MEN franchise. "Nobody has approached me about the X-MEN franchise," said Whedon to Sci Fi Wire. "Would I like to make an X-MEN movie? That'd be bitchin."
CINESCAPE wrapped its latest online poll this week asking you who Fox should consider to take over the director's chair on X-MEN 3. By an overwhelming margin the guy you chose was Joss Whedon with 35% of the vote. For Fox, it would take care of two birds with one stone: Whedon could write the script and direct the picture, so there would be no need to also search for a screenwriter. Plus, he's currently writing ASTONISHING X-MEN for Marvel Comics, so he's not rusty either.
No pressure, Fox. After all, there's less than two years left and all before X-MEN 3 is supposed to come out. [Sci Fi Wire, Coming Soon, Cinescape.]
September 16, 2004... While speaking with the Canadian Press, X2 co-screenwriter Dan Harris revealed what one of the ideas for Bryan Singer's X-MEN 3 was going to be before he left to helm Warner Bros. SUPERMAN movie. According to Harris, "We were going to do X-MEN 3 for a little while and our big secret or coup was - and it's not going to happen so it's OK - we wanted to have a character that was Emma Frost, a famous X-Men character. She's called the White Queen.
"We were going to ask Sigourney [Weaver] to be it," Harris added. Weaver is starring in Harris' directoral debut that's premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, IMAGINARY HEROES. "She was an empath in our version of the movie which means she could control people's emotions."
For her part Weaver listened closely to Harris explain the character's empathic powers and added, "I try to do that," then added, "Write it into SUPERMAN." [Canadian Press.]
October 12, 2004... In the first move forward since director Bryan Singer left the project to work on Warner Bros. SUPERMAN movie, 20th Century Fox has selected screenwriter Simon Kinberg to write the screenplay for the third X-MEN movie. The scribe already has experience working on adapting Marvel's superheroes to the screen; his word processor was the one that last touched the screenplay for the now filming FANTASTIC FOUR movie (also a Fox production) and he also did a rewrite for the studio's DAREDEVIL spinoff, ELEKTRA.
If fans of the X-Men are worried whether Kinberg is a good selection to turn in the next cinematic adventure of the uncanny superhero group, the writer attempted to calm any nervousness out there in fandom by telling The Hollywood Reporter that "I'm a religious reader of the comics, and I loved the first two movies. I had a great experience with Fox and Marvel on the other projects, and when they came to me and asked me if I had any interest in X3, I was ecstatic. I grew up on them, and I love these comics, and it's exciting to take a whack at making the third the biggest and best in the trilogy; it's our RETURN OF THE KING." A heavy analogy to toss out to concerned fans, indeed.
It gets better. According to Reporter Fox wants X3 rolling in front of the cameras by the summer of '05; they just might make their May '06 target release date after all. The producers are currently meeting with prospective directors to fill Singer's chair. And for what quite possibly may be the biggest bit of early development news, the team wants to cement deals to return all of the actors from X2 to come back for the third movie. Ms. Berry, are you listening? [The Hollywood Reporter.]
October 12, 2004... The Ultimate X website has received a reply from a representative of 20th Century Fox regarding the status of X-MEN 3 -- and for the first time the mentioning of a replacement for departed X-director Bryan Singer has taken place.
"We are working VERY hard to find the perfect director to do X3," said the rep. "The studio has it narrowed down to a few good men, and talks are being held often between both parties. Two of these three men have worked with Fox Studios before, and have been suggested by not only the head of the studio, but executive producer, Avi Arad. It's getting quite close, and a final decision should be made shortly after final presentations are made to the studio.
The individual goes on to state, "Please know that Fox Studios is trying its hardest to continue the X-MEN franchise and put it in the right direction. We love what Bryan Singer did with the previous two films, and will only expand on the universe. Bringing not only new characters, but older ones you have come to know and love, X3 will be the event film when complete! Cast members (besides a few) are not signed as of yet, but deals will be made beginning in 2005."
For more from the Fox representative hit their website. [Ultimate X.]
March 22, 2005... 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment have hired British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn to direct X-MEN 3. Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are already on board to reprise their roles. Fox is still in negotiations with Halle Berry though.
April 6, 2005... 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainmen have signed Famke Janssen for "X-Men 3." Though her character Jean Grey was killed off in "X-Men 2" they are looking to have her return but this time she will evolve into a character called the Phoenix. [Variety.]
May 18, 2005... 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment have signed Kelsey Grammer to play Beast, the oversized blue-furred creature. SNATCH's Vinnie Jones has been hired to play "bad-guy" Juggernaut. Fox has also begun talks with LOST's Maggie Grace to play the role of Kitty Pryde, a beauty who can walk through walls. [Variety.]
June 1, 2005... Matthew Vaughn has left X-MEN 3 citing family reasons. 20th Century Fox said in a statement "as the shooting schedule evolved, (Vaughn) realized he would have to move to Los Angeles and Vancouver for at least a year. Not wishing to uproot his family for an extended period, Vaughn opted to depart the production." The studio said, they are still "fully committed" to making the May 26, 2006 release date. [Variety.]
June 6, 2005... Twentieth Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment have hired Brett Ratner to direct the film. He'll be working from the script by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg. The original cast is returning and as previously reported they will be joined by Kelsey Grammer, Vinnie Jones and Maggie Grace, who signed on to play new mutant characters. [Variety.]
July 2, 2005... DEADlines and IGN Comics reported this week that Maggie Grace will no longer be playing Kitty Pryde in the soon to go into production X-MEN 3. No reasons have been given yet for the change. Director Brett Ratner and company will begin filming in August.
July 11, 2005... ComicBookMovie.com is reporting a fan rumor that CARNIVALE's Nick Stahl might be joining the cast of X-MEN 3 as the mutant known as Angel. The site is also reporting "Nightcrawler will not be in the movie, but Pyro will return with the same actor. " [ComicBookMovie.com.]
Jul 15, 2005... At a function in New York, Halle Berry told EXTRA that "maybe the producers (of X-MEN 3) will let me use this cape that I've worn for two movies now, and never use." She is hoping Storm will fly in the upcoming movie. Berry also spoke with ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and stated she was "working out with my trainer, Harley so I can get that Storm superhero body back together." [XmenFilms.net]
Septmeber 21, 2005... XMenFilms is reporting that CHARMED's Eric Dane will play Multiple Man in the upcoming X3. Dane apparently has approximately 50 extra's for his duplicates, and his character is allied with the Brotherhood, but seems to be apart of Omega Red's faction. [XMenFilms]
November 17, 2005... X-men Films has reported "two models have signed a deal with Marvel Entertainment to be in the X-MEN 3 (or a possible spin off of the film). The women are Ashley Hartman and Mercedes Scelba-Shorte. Mercedes will play a mutant simply known as M. Ashley is portraying Emma Frost. [XMenFilms]
December 30, 2005... 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment have announced that Mei Melancon (aka Meiling Melancon) has joined the cast of X-MEN 3. Melancon will play the character Psylocke, who has had several incarnations in the Marvel comic book series and is best known for her fighting and telepathic skills as well as an ability to transport herself and others through shadows. Psylocke will fight against the X-Men as a member of Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. [Hollywood Reporter]
