Fan Cast Tournament Round 1: Forager vs. Batmanbeendrinking - X-Men Edition

Fan Cast Tournament Round 1: Forager vs. Batmanbeendrinking - X-Men Edition

As we are half-way to the end of round 1, it looks like we will be experiencing a Battle of the Atom between Forager and Batmanbeendrinking. They have the opportunity to cast Marvel's Merry Mutants.

Editorial Opinion
By BawbScharf - Mar 22, 2017 06:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

We are now half-way to the end of the first round of the Fan Cast Tournament. So far MrMurdock, mtwiggs, Mumbix, and Prince Awesome have all advanced into the second round. We still have seven new competitors to go ...and one former challenger being given a second chance after a flake and a bunch of alternates turning down a spot for different reasons. More on that later on. But right now we have our next eight to deal. Who joins the other four in the quarter finals? Sound off below to determine who moves on.

But now onto today's match...


 
The Uncanny X-Men debuted in 1963,introducing us to the original teenagers with attitude. More imporantly, it introduced us to the concept of mutants, gifted people who society hates and fears. A metaphor for the civil rights movement, the X-Men had been a staple of comics before booming in the 1990's with an excellent cartoon series during the spectator boom. As per usual with these situations, the movie studios came calling. Fox landed the righs to the X-Men franchise, with the first film debuting in 2000 to solid reviews. However, Bryan Singer's choices for how he portrayed the X-Men has been controversial to say the very least. He swapped out colored costumes for leather biker gear that the stars could not move in.  The cast were not allowed to research the comics.  Ontop of that, there are many who claim that theor time line is messed up. With faithful adaptations being all the rage, people have been clamoring for a clean slate for the X-Men.

Forager and Batmanbeendrinking now have the chance to create that clean slate with their fan casting of the X-Men universe. Wil they begin small? Are the comics costumes still intact? Most importantly, which cast do you feel is best representative of the X-Men as YOU know them? Voice your opinion as to which one of these gifted youngsters survives the culling.
First...
 
Forager's Casting Choices
  • Mark Strong as Professor X

While Mark Strong usually plays antagonists in movies, he is equally capable of delivering much more nuanced performances as in Black Gold or in The Imitation Game and he showed more recently that he was able with Kingsman to portray a humoristic character. Strong is a talented actor who would be perfectly capable of interpreting a kind and clement professor Xavier but who would at the same time keep secrets about his his past.


  • Taron Egerton as Cyclops

With his performance in Kingsman, Taron Egerton showed his actor skills and ability to be the protagonist of an action movie. And if the team-up he formed with Mark Strong convinced me that both would be great to transcribe the relationship between Professor X and Scott, it was his role in Eddie the Eagle that made me realize that he would be perfect. Dynamic and appealing, he would have the ability to allow Scott Summers to shine as he deserves.


  • Saoirse Ronan as Jean Grey

Saoirse Ronan is a very talented actress, maybe one of the best of her generation. She has already demonstrated her capacity to star alongside an ensemble cast as it was the case in The Grand Budapest Hotel but also to be feature as an action star as in Hanna. She also managed to deliver extremely emotional performances making her the perfect choice for an uncertain Jean Gray, still having trouble controlling her powers.


  • Kylie Bunbury as Storm

Kylie Bunbury is an actress whom I discovered very recently through the series Pitch in which she is incredible. In only a few episodes, she has established herself as a talented actress capable of having a strong presence on screen. Athletic, she has the skills to play the character regarding the action scenes while also being able to put forward the human aspect of Storm with her traumas. A role like this would allow her to show a larger audience the immensity of her talents.

  • Aidan Turner as Wolverine

Unfortunately Aidan Turner is not Canadian as Wolverine should be but I quickly forgot this little flaw. Turner is an extremely talented actor who has already shown his talents in blockbusters like the Hobbit trilogy but also on television as in Being Human or in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I'm sure he would be able to embody Logan on the big screen with his part of violence and wrath but also with his part of emotion and heart.


Augustus Prew as Beast
Augustus Prew is a strong actor, capable of interpreting intelligent and brilliant as it was the case in Pure Genius. He already has a solid career and is used to playing alongside great actors like Tom Hiddleston or Jeremy Irons in High-Rise. He has what is need to interpret a memorable Beast, still young, but already blue furred. He would be able to give a sensibility to the character, behind his savage apparence, making him appealing for the audience.

  • Directed by Doug Liman

Doug Liman is a director who may not be an independent filmmaker, but he is the best at what he does: that is, making blockbusters with a very strong vision. Despite the fact that the film was a financial disappointment, Edge of Tomorrow was incredible in terms of action and visuals. Liman also succeeded with this movie to build a narratively ambitious story with strong characters. An X-Men film directed by him would be a unique experience for the viewer.



...and his opponent...

...formerly with the longest name EVER...



Batmanbeendrinking's Casting Choices
 


Mahershala Ali as professor x- Mahershala has shown that he can be commanding while still being very composed( House of Cards) and nurturing to those who come looking for help(moonlight). It is widely known that the inspiration for Professor Xavier was Martin Luther King so I figured why not make it more prominent


Idris Elba as magneto- for Magneto I was looking for somebody who could command (beasts of no Nation) and who had a very imposing voice that could strike fear and leadership all at once (The Jungle Book). It is also widely know that the inspiration for Magneto was Malcolm X so I figured why not make it more prominent.

Tom Hardy as wolverine- Tom Hardy is it is an actor who has shown that he is both tough and intimidating throughout his films(Bronson, Lawless, Warriors, etc...) I also believe that physically he is a perfect fit in height and body structure.


Chris pine as Cyclops- for Cyclops I wanted somebody who is very charismatic and has the look of a leader. As well as someone who could bounce off of Tom Hardy as they did in this Means War which I thought their chemistry was fantastic in.


Emily blunt as Jean Grey- Jean is by far one of the most powerful and emotionally tortured mutants in the X-Men universe. Emily Blunt has shown that she can be a very powerful woman( Edge of Tomorrow) and broken with the ability to keep moving forward while still finding hope(sicario).


Taron everyone as iceman/bobby- for Iceman I was just looking for somebody who looked the part but could also play a naive student/troublemaker


Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as juggernaut- I was looking for somebody big who could also Act

Javier bardem as beast- some of the best things about Beast is his demeanor in the way he carries himself but also in the way he speaks which just exudes intelligence, and I believe Javier Bardem has that voice and demeanor were you just want to listen to every word that comes out of his mouth.


Natalie Dormer as Mystique- Mystique has always been a character that just screams sexy and deadly so I figured why not get one of the most beautiful woman in the world in my opinion whose character in Game of Thrones kind of resembles that, and if tweaked a little bit could be a very Sly, mischievous, and always looking out for herself which I believe is true to mystique's character


Jon bernthal as sabretooth- I don't know why it just fits in my opinion



Screen play by Matthew Vaughn(xmen frist class, kingsmen, kickass)  and Scott Frank(logan, Minority Report) - a dream collaboration, both know how to write a character driven story with heart. I would have Scott as the lead writer with Vaughn lightening the script.

Directed by Peter Jackson - Jackson has experience with directing a large cast while balancing them all. As well as shooting large scale battles. And over all shooting a gorgeous film
 
Cinematographer by Michael seresin


 



 

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BawbScharf
BawbScharf - 3/22/2017, 6:14 AM
@MrMurdock @BillMurray @JaredRWebb12 @FlixMentallo21 @PrinceAwesome @mtwiggs @Drakenextreme @Valdez @TheHero @TheRose @Forager @Mumbix @BatmanBeenDrinking @sKeemAn @ossie85 @JacuzziJoe @kong @DeathByToilet @Sandsmark @TheManWithoutFear @Kyos
MRVN
MRVN - 3/22/2017, 7:18 AM
Great choices throughout! Of all the entries that I've seen so far, this one made me want to cast a "draw" vote based solely on a quick run through. But, after thinking about it some more, I'm going to cast my vote for @Forager. I like his picks for Wolverine, Cyclops, and Prof. X, I like the smaller, more focused team, and I like his director. But @BatmanBeenDrinking made it a close one with his out of the box picks for Prof X and Magneto (two actors that I really like to watch onscreen)

Vote- @Forager
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 3/22/2017, 7:59 AM
I'm not really too keen on either approach. However, @Forager has the much better choices here.
sKeemAn
sKeemAn - 3/22/2017, 7:59 AM
Wow this is a tough one, both have a great cast.
I really like the controversial Prof X & Magneto picks of @BatmanBeenDrinking. Then I see the Wolvie and Sabretooth picks and he sold me.

Vote for @BatmanBeenDrinking
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 3/22/2017, 8:18 AM
My hat goes off to @Forager, though @BatmanBeenDrinking's Xavier and Magneto picks definitely surprised me.
Mumbix
Mumbix - 3/22/2017, 8:52 AM
kudos to @BatmanBeenDrinking outside of the box thinking on prof X and Magneto and Juggernaut, Hank McCoy, mystique are all inspired choices, But i felt @Forager choices work better this time. good effort to you both

Vote: @Forager
Lurchadamo
Lurchadamo - 3/22/2017, 10:39 AM
vote- batmanbeen, really love the wolvie and sabertooth choices, I think that could lead to some really intense scenes and battles between the 2
TheHero
TheHero - 3/22/2017, 10:46 AM
I'm voting for @Forager with this one. While some of his choices like Mark Strong as Professor X have been used before, the smaller team and its accuracy to the original five X-Men stands out. I also think the choice for the director Doug Liman. He's done some great work like Edge of Tomorrow
r3negade
r3negade - 3/22/2017, 12:09 PM
@Forager!
JaredRWebb12
JaredRWebb12 - 3/22/2017, 12:59 PM
My vote goes to @Forager-his director and more focused X-team win the day for me
SimplyAz
SimplyAz - 3/22/2017, 1:01 PM
@Forager wins for me, it just seems to make sense
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 3/22/2017, 1:10 PM
Forager gets my vote.

I've never liked the Tom Hardy Wolverine thing. Even though Batmansbeendrinking had Natalie Dormer, who i am of course in love with, i like Forager's cast better on the whole.
PrinceAwesome
PrinceAwesome - 3/22/2017, 1:32 PM
Good job to both contestants!

Vote: @Forager

I believe that @Batmansbeendrinking's choice for Magneto is absolutely pitch perfect. Although, I would've preferably gotten David Oyelowo to play the part of Professor X, his ensemble could have definetely challenged Forager's choices. Forager had a perfect balance in getting relatively unknowns for roles that better suits their strengths, whereas Batmansbeen has an all-star cast (which I wouldnt mind to see).

Kudos to both.
DetectiveCinema
DetectiveCinema - 3/22/2017, 2:44 PM
This is REALLY tough! I really love Forager's back-to-basics approach with Ronan as Jean in particular. Liman is a GREAT choice of Director too.

However Batmansbeendrinking's has really thought outside the box in regards to Charles and Erik and I LOVE it. Pine is a great choice for Scott. I think I can understand where you're coming from in regards to Peter Jackson ala Lord of the Rings, large ensemble cast, epic battles etc but I think he's better suited to other properties.

I'm not the biggest fan of either Wolverine choices (their not bad per say, just seen them way to many times before).

Wasn't an easy choice but I'm going to have to go with @Forager. My only question is who would be the antagonist?

The X-Men is a hard one to cast thought because it's just SO expansive, if you went all out you could EASILY have a cast of over 50 characters.
Kyos
Kyos - 3/22/2017, 3:24 PM
Again both casts have their own appeal, and both have aspects I don't like too much. I gotta give this one to @Batmanbeendrinking though, I was really intrigued by his Xavier and Magneto.
ThouBear8
ThouBear8 - 3/22/2017, 3:25 PM
Gonna go with @Forager. I like the cast, they seem the right age / level of stardom in comparison with each other.
TheDayman
TheDayman - 3/22/2017, 3:50 PM
Both are good, but I think @Forager was the best.
ossie85
ossie85 - 3/22/2017, 3:54 PM
Magnificent leads to Batman been drinking. He gets my vote
TheRose
TheRose - 3/23/2017, 12:15 AM
Closest matchup so far, in my opinion.

I love both of these cast. @Forager--- I adore your Jean and Storm selections, and Doug Liman heading the franchise would be fantastic. Aidan Turner is a new choice for Wolverine, but I just can't see it. Taron would rock it as a young Cyclops though, and has the rising star power to actually give the role its due.

But ultimately, I'm gonna give this to @Batmanbeendrinking. Magneto choice is hands-down my fave. To change his backstory a bit, you could make him a victim of the Rwandan genocide or some other event. Could make for an intriguing new perspective for the character. I also love the inclusion of The Mountain as Juggernaut. If I were splitting hairs, I'd have to say that your cast might have suffered a little bit from celebrity-itis and seems like the cast wouldn't mesh up well with so much star power on screen. Still, awesome cast, and I love the idea of Peter Jackson headlining it.
BatmanBeenDrinking
BatmanBeenDrinking - 3/23/2017, 6:40 AM
@TheRose - when I choose Idris Elba as magneto I'd figured he would be a much more cynical person than than we've seen in past movies cuz I still wanted him to grow up during the holocaust (that a must up thing to say) but than move to the US and go through the civil rights movement and than possibly be shunned amongst his own people for being a mutant. I also figured this could bring Charles a little closer to him in terms of what they had to go through.
DeathByToilet
DeathByToilet - 3/23/2017, 10:13 AM
Wow.

This is a difficult one.

I loved @Batmanbeendrinking's choice for Charles Xavier, that was an incredible casting decision.

However, the rest of his picks are too old for the characters.

I have always imagined a group of superpowered individuals that were younger (teens or very, very early twenties)

So, @Forager hits the market on that front and his choice for Cyclops is great!

So, vote goes to: @Forager
BawbScharf
BawbScharf - 3/23/2017, 4:12 PM
*Whew*

I'll be honest and say that I hit a burn out over the last few days and needed to separate myself from this project after this one went up.

15 for @Forager
5 for @Batmanbeendrinking

@Forager moves onto round 3. Next time we will find out who his opponent will be.

Next Match:
Cats and Dogs Living Together!
BatmanBeenDrinking
BatmanBeenDrinking - 3/23/2017, 4:26 PM
@BawbScharf - thanks for putting in the work man. Even though I'm a little mad about losing 😤
MRVN
MRVN - 3/23/2017, 7:50 PM
@BawbScharf - human sacrifice?....mass hysteria?....
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 3/23/2017, 8:25 PM
@mtwiggs - 40 years of darkness, volcanoes, earthquakes....?
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 3/23/2017, 9:08 PM
@BatmanBeenDrinking - Maybe my "Who's The Torso" sketch will cheer you up.
BawbScharf
BawbScharf - 3/23/2017, 6:07 PM
@BatmanBeenDrinking
Don't feel too bad. It was a very good effort ...considering that you didn't have as long as everyone else because of the site's messaging system. As many have said, the Xavier/Magneto picks were EXCELLENT and something I haven't seen done before with fan casting.
BawbScharf
BawbScharf - 3/23/2017, 10:42 PM
@MrMurdock @BillMurray @JaredRWebb12 @FlixMentallo21 @PrinceAwesome @mtwiggs @Drakenextreme @Valdez @TheHero @TheRose @Forager @Mumbix @BatmanBeenDrinking @sKeemAn @ossie85 @JacuzziJoe @kong @DeathByToilet @Sandsmark @TheManWithoutFear @Kyos

I'm going to update you all here to let you know what is going on. I have a busy day tomorrow, so I will probably not be able to get started on my uniform GFX (which takes some time to do.) I am shooting for the next match to be up on Saturday, if not sooner.

Also, the next match was originally going to be Ghostbusters, but for the sake of variety, that will be match 7. Match 6 will be Fantastic 4 and match 8 will be Mortal Kombat ...the one challenge that gave me the most problems. I overestimated how recognizable the brand was and that led to a last minute scramble.

Which brings me to my last point. With that match-up, I had the guy assigned the match flake out on me. I contacted one alternate, he didn't want to cast for that property. The second alternate had legit medical problems. The THIRD alternate contacted me, said he would do it, I gave him a deadline, but he never turned anything in, nor responded to prodding. I had one more alternate but, I'm sorry, this NEEDS to move along ...and I wanted that last match in fairly quickly. Instead of going with a guy who I wasn't sure was going to show, I decided to go with someone I KNEW was reliable. I went with JaredRWebb. Yes, I know, he already got his shot and lost, but please here me out. Firstly, he was in the FIRST match, going in blind with no other match to go off of. Secondly, he did really good in that round and I felt deserved a chance at redemption. Thirdly, it was his thread that started this idea. On top of that, he has been incredibly active in these articles. I would have LOVED to pit all of the others who lost against each other for the vacant spot, but these have taken so long to get out, I didn't want to make it even more complicated. I just went for the first one out and a guy I knew would come through in a pinch ...and he did within 48 hours of giving him his challenge.

So yeah, that is your update for this tournament. I am totally having fun, but dealt with a bit of burn out this week. We'll be back and running by Saturday.
MRVN
MRVN - 3/23/2017, 11:24 PM
@BawbScharf - Wow...that is a lot to deal with. But, I think speak for everyone involved when I say, don't feel pressed to do this by certain deadlines or whatever man. THis is all in fun so take some time if you need to brother. No point in burning yourself out on something that's meant to be fun.

And as far as @JaredRWebb acting as an alternate, I'm all for it.

And finally, I hope @BobGarlen isn't in that Mortal Kombat fancast round because that dude just posted a pitch perfect reboot/recast for that franchise.
MRVN
MRVN - 3/25/2017, 9:02 PM
@BawbScharf - Also, if I get knocked out in the second round (which seems pretty likely) I would be more than willing to help out in any way that I can.
Lurchadamo
Lurchadamo - 4/2/2017, 2:21 PM
@BawbScharf - any chance we get this up and running again or is it pretty much dead?
Lurchadamo
Lurchadamo - 4/6/2017, 10:59 AM
@BawbScharf - OK I'll take that no reply as this is dead...still, it was a great idea.
TheRose
TheRose - 4/11/2017, 11:58 PM
@Lurchadamo @BawbScharf- I was thinking the same thing. If we don't hear back in the next day or two, I think I'll post my fan cast regardless. I had a lot of fun putting it together and was hoping to get some reactions.
If the interest is still there, I'm in!
Lurchadamo
Lurchadamo - 4/12/2017, 8:07 AM
@TheRose - yeah I'll post mine to then, what movie did you have? I had fantastic four.
TheRose
TheRose - 4/12/2017, 9:48 PM
@Lurchadamo - I'm gonna give @BawbScharf one more day, just in case he chimes in and wants the contest still on.

And also: Who you gonna call?
PrinceAwesome
PrinceAwesome - 3/24/2017, 12:26 AM
@BawbScharf

It's cool man, rl first. All of this can wait. Your doing a great job running this entire thing on your own. It seems like a really big responsibility and your doing fantastic at it. Congrats to @JaredRWeb12, his choices on the first round were all well-deserving to prosper throughout the tournament.

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