X-MEN: On The Set, Part 2

By: Bryan Cairns
Date: Friday, May 05, 2000

Let's face facts. It's hard enough to track of all of Marvel's merry mutants, let alone recall the exact issue in which Rogue joins the X-Men, the specifics of her initial meeting with Colossus at the X-mansion's doorstep, or her being belted into outer space during a spat. Such is the knowledge (and perhaps mutant power?) of Executive Producer Tom DeSantoa gift that stems back to when he was 10 and received a stack of comics from his cousin. Immediately, DeSanto embraced the X-Universe, a world he says rivals the Arthurian legends. Even at the end of negotiations with Marvel, DeSanto couldn't help requesting that Stan Lee say his trademark catch phrase 'Excelsior!' Lee was only too happy to oblige. So you can imagine that, whenever an energetic DeSanto takes the time to chat, it's more like an enjoyable discussion with a fellow X-fanatic than an interview.

Not surprisingly, it was DeSanto who initially approached director Bryan Singer in 1995 about helming his dream project after the director's impressive handling of an ensemble cast in The Usual Suspects. Of course, there was no guarantee for a repeat success.

'It's not like math where it's 2+2=4,' notes DeSanto. 'What makes a good story isn't always easy.'

The X-Men have often been compared to a long running soap opera, with its rich love trianglesan element that will be dished out in the movie. Sweethearts Scott and Jean will be forced to examine their relationship when they discover rugged newcomer Logan has the hots for the team's redheaded telepath. If the comic book is any indication, the attraction will be somewhat mutual. Of course, this will result in Logan and Scott butting heads with some serious attitude. Other non- romantic interactions will be played up between Rogue and Logan, Jean and Xavier and Logan and Xavier.

An opening scene finds Logan demonstrating his fighting prowess at a dingy, rundown bar, which serves as an arena where intoxicated participants pound the crap out of each other until one falls. After eight rounds, Logan remains undefeated, 'natch. The ninth opponent is given 15 seconds to clean Logan's clock before he can retaliate. Not that it matters. Wham. Bam. Grand slam. Logan remains victorious. This time around, the loser can't help noticing that Logan hasn't a scratch on him from all the fightinghe hasn't even broken a sweat. As Logan approaches a young girl (who turns out to be Rogue) at the bar, the television news is discussing mutant registration movements at Ellis Island. The coverage makes the unusually calm Logan feel uneasy, as if he's about to be exposed as a freak. From here on, things spiral out of control.


Excited X-philiacs may get an extra dose of delight at certain in-house references. One scene depicts life at Xavier's Mansion, with young pupils playing basketball. One of these teenage mutants is yellow; another displays a skin mutation resembling burns and scars, while a blonde-haired girl demonstrates an abnormality on her neck. Inside, Cyclops and Storm educate the student body. Anyone for Powers 101 and Being Accepted in Society-the advanced semester? Later, Rogue will be joining these classes. While the rumor mill has suggested background student cameos by Jubilee, Kitty Pryde, and Colossus, one definite new mutant being mentioned is John. What his or any of the other attendants' powers are, remains unrevealed. Rogue will also be seen in her pre-hero days, depicting her life before she discovered she was a mutant.

DeSanto says they've tried to make the X-Men movie accessible to viewers by fleshing out the characters and paying enough attention to everyone. Easier said than done, considering the titanic task of translating 38 years of X-Men history into a two-hour movie. Thus, DeSanto says that staying in continuity was impossible, although skeptical X-fans should be happy to know that the story centers around the 'crux of the their mythology,' with a twist or two.

DeSanto even gives a few sound bites about the heroes, reinforcing that these characters are essentially the ones readers have grown to know and love: 'Rogue is a beautiful young girl who's mutation is a horrible curse... Storm is the mother of the group. She is the soul... Wolverine is the outsider coming in and challenging them.'

Singer and DeSanto, not to mention 20th Century Fox, are hoping X-Men will follow Star Trek into some very familiar territory: the sequel zone. If X-Men strikes box office gold, it will get the green light for part deux. Already, the comic book flick has been planned as a trilogy of sorts. Obviously, it might become somewhat repetitive to have the same villains hash out their ambitions again, so the question is which adversaries to use next?

DeSanto's personal darling is Arcade, although he says the foe is more suitable for a comic one-shot. The Hellfire Club's agenda and multiple members are too reminiscent of the Brotherhood. And at the mention of the Brood, DeSanto jokes, 'I think Fox would sue us for ripping off Aliens.' Singer does love the deadly Proteus but claims Juggernaut would just be too clunky. Which leaves...

'The Sentinels!' exclaims Singer. 'The villains would be mankind.'