No Jackman, no Stewart, no McKellen.
I'd follow the premise in my previous X-Men fancast
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ager/news/?a=41381
however, the stand alone films would either not happen or, preferably, happen after the success of the first film.
To understand why this cast is jammed with heroes and villains I suggest you read over the prior fancast^^^^
The movie and it's sequels would be filmed back to back like LOR
The cast
1st class
Stanley Tucci as Professor X
As Seen In: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Age at the time: 40
Hero Bio: Professor X is the Nick Fury of this cast. He gathers them up but never involves himself in the battle
Why Tucci? A highly skilled actor and the age of a young man who's guidance and tutelage is just under 5 years. If it's not going to be Stewart than he's the runner up.
Heath Ledger as Cyclops
As Seen In: The Patriot
Age at the time: 20
Hero Bio: Cyclops starts out as the twiggy unsure leader of the quintessential X-Men, but by this movie he's developed into a respected leader.
Why Ledger? When 10 Things came out, I saw potential in him to be a superhero. Granted, I was thinking Colossus, but, nevertheless, a hero he was. He is 6'2"
Eliza Dushku as Jean Grey
As seen in: Angel
Age at the time: 19
Hero Bio: Grey has died and come back multiple times. She has always been an asset to the team and held them together. She is possessed by the Phoenix Force as she is powerful enough to contain it. I modified the Force to keep it on Earth and connect it to Sunfire's Apocalypse-enhanced power (which would be explained and lead nicely into his solo flick). There is no love triangle with Wolverine only because, in his fancast movies I wrote up (which would be another spin-off, as would the rest of the Giant-size additions) he's had enough women and it wasn't necessary.
Why Dushku? Her sultry look and acting blew me away in the Buffy-verse. I feel she could handle the load that is on Grey's shoulders.
****The women would have pants, not dresses, but in this design
John Krasinski as Beast
ASI: Fighting Still Life
Age: 20
Bio: Beast is a tragic character whose appearance weighs heavy on his mind. The Morlock thing mentioned in the other X-Men fancast might not hold to this as I'm not sure if, in 2000, Dark beast appeared yet. However, it may still work as a nod to the Morlocks as is. It would also add depth to Nightcrawler as he has always looked that way and dealt with it as best he could.
Why Krasinski? He's a bit tall, but has an awkward look to him that I like for Beast. He looks like he can do brainy as well as tough (if he lifted a bit before filming) I think it'd work.
***The perfect look for Beast in a movie
Ryan Gosling as (Arch)Angel
ASI: Remember the Titans
Age: 20
Bio: The winged hero lives for his power. When it is violently taken away from him, he seeks to regain it any way he can.
Why Gosling? His smooth looks are perfect for many heroes; in this case, Worthington is the hero.
****sans the blue face
Christopher Masterson as Iceman
ASI: Malcolm in the Middle
Age: 20, playing younger by 2 years.
Bio: Seen as immature, Drake's irrational behavior is due to high emotion and temper. He jokes around to hide this. He is an omega mutant who has yet to untap his full potential.
Why Masterson? A very funny guy with a look almost identical (baby face) to a young Drake
*****The 1st movie would see the Giant-Size X-Men in street clothes. The second (or end of the 1st) would be the debut of thier uniforms)
Giant-size X-Men
Please look no further than the aforementioned Fancasts for info on these characters. I will add only what is needed
I feel, generally speaking, that while Xavier's 1st class are still young, he would not recruit mutants that are younger or as young.
Mark Wahlberg as Wolverine
ASI: The Perfect Storm
Age: 29
Bio: No infatuation of Jean here. Not that I don't love that but it was a story that didn't fit. His bond with Shadowcat, however, will be in there
Why Wahlberg? Reportedly around the 5'8"-5'9" range with a stocky and very rough look to him he can age accordingly in sequels. I do not put him at the top of my list for guys that can play Logan now, (although, with a very short list, he is on there; last) however, in 2000 he could sell the demeanor that is necessary.
Kerry Washington as Storm
ASI: Our Song (Save the Last Dance was in pre-production)
Age: 23. 3 years shy of Storm's correct age
Bio: Hints of her leadership on the battlefield are seen. She has a connection with Forge, which kills her on the inside when he dies
Why Washington? It may seem redundant but, as a fresh face in 2000, she's a good choice, not now, but then.
Alexander Skarsgård as Colossus
ASI: The Dog Trick
Age: 24
Bio: Sparks between him and Shadowcat. No one is stronger than him
Why Skarsgård? Even though he's 6'4" he's very skinny for the iron giant, but I could not find another suitable actor. Maybe a few rounds in the gym could bulk him up. One can assume his lineage, as the son of Stellan Skarsgård, is a reason for his role.
Elijah Wood as Nightcrawler
ASI: The Good Son
Age: 19
Bio: His tension with Beast's mood over his own appearance is important
Why: I like Kurt as the young guy of the new class. I've always thought Wood was one of the best actors of his gen. From The Good Son to Huck Finn to Forever Young he always shined. He is both short and twiggy, the way Crawler should appear.
Tyler Christopher as Forge
ASI: General Hospital and several guest appearances in numerous TV shows
Age: 27
Bio: Very tense with Mystique. I'd want that to be very intriguing. Also a connection and attraction to Storm
Why Christopher? I could've went with several different choices, instead I chose a lesser known Native American to helm Forge.
****black uniform
David Wenham as Banshee
ASI: Molokai: The Story of Father Damien
Age: 35
Bio: The others really respect him. It should be believed that he would be 2nd in command, not Storm, if he stuck around.
Why Wenham? Banshee was always around a decade older than the rest. Wenham was already headlining dramas. He's an actor to be taken seriously with a look that is dead on for Banshee.
Will Yun Lee as Sunfire
ASI: Witchblade
Age: 29
Bio: He serves to show the power that Apocalypse has over his Horsemen (of the past and present) and as a way to condense the Phoenix saga.
Why Lee? I faintly remember enjoying the series and can recall him as the partner. His look and age are great for this role. The role here is small, but as he would spin-off into his own film he can be a respectable lead.
The Brotherhood
Clint Eastwood as Magneto
Space Cowboys
70
Bio: The self-proclaimed mutant messiah. Arrogant and thick-headed. Always a step ahead. He truly does care about Xavier, he just hates how ignorant and naive his old friend is.
Why Eastwood? This was my pick for the circa '93 fancast as well. He would be a teen during the war, and thus, perfect for the character. His look is the spitting image of the Lee drawings during the new X-Men in the 90's. refer to my circa '93 fancast
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ager/news/?a=22554
I wanted this to happen so bad when the movie was announced. I thought that, even without powers, an Eastwood Magneto would be the most intimidating figure in that world.
His twin children are so much younger that it can be believed or flashed back to that he truly did find peace after decades of decadent behavior and then all of that was taken away when his wife was killed by humans after their birth. He would slay the humans in dramatic form and drift, building an empire, and have another child he was unaware of.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Quicksilver
Donnie Darko
19
Bio: As I wrote, There are so many different ways writes have approached the relationship between Pietro and his father and his personality. He's always been quick-tempered with a dark side, so that stays true. He is the 2nd in command and above a silly rivalry with any enemy in particular. He's the rich, spoiled son who thinks he's above others. He never messes up, but his father always expects more, there is no pleasing him. He wants Quicksilver to take over but can't bring himself to admit he is ready, I guess.
Why Gyllenhaal? Knock this if you want but I have NEVER seen a role he has played and not thoroughly enjoyed it. and he bares a resemblance to my Scarlet Witch.
Natalie Portman as Scarlet Witch
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace; (and more importantly) The Professional
19
Bio: The child that can do no wrong. There is no competition between her and her brother directly, but indirectly it drives them both. I'm relating her to a mafia princess if you will. Very capable, and even though her father favors her, she'll never be the one to take over, being a woman. That is hinted, never actually said. In the end, they see all the pain they've caused and do what's right at the cost of power. The spoiled children of the "King of mutants" give up what would've been there's to squander.
Why Portman? Have you seen The Professional? Amazing!!!!!
Naomi Watts as Emma Frost
Sleepwalkers
32
Bio: Not nearly as detrimental to the story as I'd have liked her to be. When the story started flowing, her part seemed less involved. Still, I'd like her to keep all of her trademark characteristics. The reason she dies at the hands of Apocalypse is to play on her importance. She was so powerful and posed such a threat that he had to take her out first, being the only telepath at the fight. I got the idea from that same episode of Wolverine and the X-Men where Quicksilver knocks her unconscious 1st as she poses the largest threat.
Why Watts? When you can combine classic beauty and sexiness with extraordinary acting, one must take advantage.
Sam Neill as Sebastian Shaw
ASI: Merlin
53
Bio: He and Frost are a nod to the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club. There is nothing underlying in his personality that stands out, really. No jealousy. no vendetta, he just knows he's a bad ass.
Why Neill? He was my choice in circa '93 and he is my choice in 2000. He is the best out there for a guy like Shaw.
Willaim Fichtner as Mastermind
Forrest Gump
44
Bio: Not much is there until he realizes that he's the only one left and the idea starts to develop that Genosha is now his to rule. I think that is a cool concept and 1 can imagine that Magneto's return would not bode well for the illusionist.
Why Fichtner? He's very underrated actor, and scary. He can play guest-starring roles as he's not devour the scenes. He has a quiteness about him that brings people into his world. I did originally have Gary Sinise, but I'm using him for a better role.
The Acolytes
Peta Wilson as Mystique
La Femme Nikita
29
Bio: Always with her own agenda, always loyal to Magneto. Jealous she is not part of the Brotherhood. Great leader with a loyal team. Feelings for Forge. Tense with Rogue but loves her.
Why Wilson? She's both sexy and tough. Raven is not some eye candy-hottie, she's a woman that's garned more field time than almost every other character combined. She's fierce and Wilson is perfect for the part.
Desmond Askew as Pyro
Go
27
Bio: None of the Acolytes are any different than what 1 would expect. They are tight with each other and are comical. They have a good time, possibly the tightest of each team depicted seeing as how the X-Men are all new as a team.
Why Askew? He was so annoying and yet so funny in Go that I immediately thought of him.
****not as colorful
Eric Bana as Avalanche
Chopper
32
Bio: He's, somewhat, the brains of the trio under Darkholme.
Why Bana? In the same year of his breakout starring role in Chopper, he bares an uncanny resemblance to Avalanche.
Abraham Benrubi as Blob
ER
30
Bio: He is a viable threat to anyone, not the joke portrayed in Origins
Why Benrubi? Back in my very first Fancast, X-Men circa 1993 and the previous one, Berubi was my pick for Blob. I hadn't seen him used prior to that or since. He's older now and perfect for a diversely-aged group of Acolytes. He's 6'7", comedic, dramatic and heavyset. A fat suit is ideal here.
Giovanni Ribisi as Toad
Boiler Room
25
Bio: Of note is that his death is not ignored. They really are friends. I didn't think a comical lackey was the right approach here. Yet, something was lacking in the Ray Park version. The closest I can think of is the newer, cooler version (which was based loosely off of Park's) as the best way to describe this Toad.
Why Ribisi? He's a tiny 5'7". He looks like the old school goblin-esque Toad. He's a truly astonishing actor.
Lizzy Caplan as Rogue
Freaks and Geeks
18
Bio: The obvious things here. Tension with Mystique: Connection with Gambit: Struggle with the side to choose. Not much is written about her as the story would develop in the typical way. She plays a large role in these movies.
Why Caplin? There's an aura about her that says look but don't touch. She has a unique look that is both sexy and scary
The Marauders
Liam Neeson as Mr. Sinister
Darkman
48
Bio: His history in this is vague. He obviously was important in the early lives of Xavier and Magneto, possibly when they were allies. He has a history with Apocalypse, given Apocalypse's disappointment with him. It would seem that he knows much more about his foe than he let's on. Cyclops is very important to him, possibly relating that back to Xavier and Magneto interaction with him in previous years, although Cyclops has no knowledge of him. The purpose of his team is to kill his greatest enemy.
Why Nesson? He's 6'4" and has one of the best voices in the business. Regal and evil.
Charlie Hunnam as Havok
Undeclared
20, playing younger
Bio: Not the wimp I intended. I wanted a strong leader identical to Cyclops, just younger. No knowledge of his relationship to Scott. Seemingly no knowledge of Sinister's plans involving genetics. He and Polaris end up walking off with each other, away from blood and battle. The story formed caused me to go a much different route as intended with his personality.
Why Hunnam? It wouldn't be an X-Men cast with out him. So far he's been Havok twice; here and Mutant X; Banshee in the oft mentioned previous X-Men cast; and Shatterstar in the Warpath fancast. That, and he is perfect as the brother of Ledger, both are very similar in stature.
***I'd give his costume a mask like Cyclops
James Purefoy as Sauron
Momento
36
Bio: He sucks the life force of mutants to attain strength and power. He flies and has incredible strength and resistance. This version is strictly human until he attacks Apocalypse. He body changes akin to the mid-change in America Werewolf in London.
Why Purefoy? I think I can get away with a great deal in who I choose for a character that I've yet to see cast outside of my own.
Noah Emmerich as Sabretooth
The Truman Show
35
Bio: I love that he's a hired hand. He couldn't give less of a crap about goals and rights or anything. If he gets to hunt and kill he's cool with it; he gets paid also. It's even more of a bonus when he gets to duke it out with his old rival. I like how he cuts his losses and leaves when things get rough.
Why Emmerich? 6'3". Add some lifts and he can tower over Wolverine and the 6'2" Ledger-Cyclops. He is a beast. He can act. He would portray the villain correctly.
**** This is a bad pic. He looks heavy. He can easily turn that into bulk
****No costume, just comfort for the killer
Devon Sawa as Longshot
Final Destination
21
Bio: I know I've completely screwed up the Marauders lineup but this line up works as each member is individually important. I also know that I hated when the X-Men movies took so many liberties. Oh well. Longshot's luck powers would be so cool on this team. He and Gambit, as the 2 dapper partners and thieves of the team would balance nicely with the savagery that Sabretooth and Sauron bring to the fold. I see their partnership as a game of one-upsmanship. Neither 1 can trust the other. in the end gambit turns on him in favor of Rogue. Bros before hoes my a$$.
Why Sawa? He has a weasely look to him that fits my Longshot description and. He'd be lucky to get this role.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Gambit
Ride with the Devil
23
Bio: In the end, although he turns to the side of good, it's only to follow Rogue, not a choice between right and wrong. It's debatable if he can be trusted since he turns on, and kills, his partner.
Why JRM? He has a mysterious look to him that Gambit should have. Should you trust him? No. Do you? yes? It's hypnotic.
Humans
Victor Garber as Graydon Creed
Alais
51
Bio: A JFK Jr-type in the eyes of the public. As shady and underhanded as they come in actuality.
Why Garber? I have no idea but I really like this one.
David Morse as Bolivar Trask
The Rock
46
Bio: Trask is a tough-as-nails engineer that develops the Sentinels.
Why Morse? I've liked him since I saw 12 Monkeys, and then again in The Rock and once more in Disturbia. I once cast him as Gordon in a GCPD TV cast. It would seem as though he reminds me of a power figurehead.
Michael Douglas as Senator Kelly
Wall Street
56
Bio: The mutant-hating Senator we've grown to loath.
Why Douglas? It's Gordon Gecko in the mutant world
The 3 Remaining Horseman
Alfred Molina as Tom Cassidy
Maverick
47
Bio: He and Juggernaut seek out Apocalypse in order to gain more power
Why Molina? He is a great, dark, large counter-balance to Wenham. I love this guy
Rick Rossovich as Juggernaut
Navy SEALs
43
Bio: Him NOT being a mutant will be explored in this movie, with a note that he is the step brother of Xavier.
Why Rossovich? Ok, so I'm not familiar with him BUT he is 6'4" and built like they pretended Vinnie Jones was.
****He does NOT take the magical helmet off
****He can turn his head in this helmut
Abbie Cornish as Polaris
The Monkey's Mask
18
Bio: Unknowingly the daughter of Magneto and sister to the twins. Apocalypse, however is very aware of this. Amplified by him, her powers rival magneto's. She walks away from it all with Havok by her side.
Why Cornish? She has an appeal to her that a young Polaris should. She's a solid actor with a beautiful face.
**** Found this. Liked it. With a cape
AND..
Delroy Lindo as Apocalypse
Broken Arrow
47
Bio: The most powerful mutant on Earth.
Why Lindo? If you've seen the man act or heard his voice, than you'd easily understand why he was the 6'4" behemoth was my first choice.
**** I think he's being an over-achiever with 3 belts. I would go w/o any of them and make it darker
The Future is Here...
Vladimir Kulich as Cable
13th Warrior
46, but older looking
Bio: In this he is seemingly the son of Cyclops and Jean Grey, though it's debatable as Rachel (Phoenix) calls him brother, she could mean 1/2 brother. The time from whence he came is not known in this movie.
Why Kulich? 6'5". As powerful an actor as he is a man.
****** MAJOR EDIT... RETCONNED as Milla Jovavich as Phoenix
Joan of Arc
25
Bio: The daughter of Scott and Jean. We don't know if she is from the same time as her brother, but due to the age difference their is more to the story. I've teamed them up here because I thought it was a very unique idea.
Why Jovavich? I originally had, Charlize Theron, the same age, but after doing more fancasts and setting the rule that I would NOT use the same actor/actress in 2 Marvel movies I had to change this after finding Theron to be the best Sue Storm. Now, after doing this, i'm disappointed that Milla was NOT my original pick.
*** Spikes and all
New Recruit
Michelle Williams as Shadowcat
Dick
20, playing 18
Bio: She is the innocent newbie of the team and has the obvious dialogue with Wolverine and Colossus. She represents the innocence of the series.
Why Williams? She is very cute and has an innocent look to her. I feel she can deliver a great Kitty, similar to Page.
*****Collar is a hoodie as well
Page, Stewart, McKellan and Jackman performed wonderfully but each one was a little different from their comic book personalities. Maybe, at the time, not Xavier. The rest were very different. I liked the first two but I've come to expect more these days thanks to Spiderman 1 and 2, Thor, Iron Man 1 and 2, Cap and the 2 new batman movies especially.
Thanks