Its PuyGuy again, this time bringing you an article about TWO upcoming X-Men films by 20th Century FOX. Well, at least ONE of them is coming.
Every fan of Comicbook-Movies knows the X-Men Franchise by 20th Century FOX. It is the Franchise responsable for getting the buzz of Comicbook-Movies started back in the year 2000. Without FOX first "X-Men" directed by Bryan Singer there would have been no "Spider-Man" and also no "Batman Begins". FOX really showed with X-Men that obscure Comicbook-Characters have a wide audience in the world of movies. An audience willing to pay in order to see their heroes on the silver screen.
I am NOT going to talk about which X-Men films are quite good, and which are awful. We all know, both has happened. Also, I am NOT going to touch on the subject wether it would be a good thing if Marvel would get the rights back for these characters. This is not my topic, and it will not happen anyway.
Whilst most X-Men fans are looking most forward to see Matthew Vaughns follow-up to his film "X-Men: First Class", there are still TWO other X-films in the hands of FOX, two projects which are a bit "smaller", projects that dont get as much attention. At least until now. One of this projects is RIGHT NOW finally on its way to the screen, arriving next year. The other one is stucked in Development hell, uncertain if it ever manages to escape from there.
Of course I am talking about "The Wolverine" and "Deadpool". Two movies which really have potential to be good, if you d ask me. It is almost cruel irony that these two movies BOTH have been hinted at in the after-credits sequences of the pile of shit known as "X-Men Origins: Wolverine".
So why do I think the "sequel" to that could be better? Why do I think that the same studio that raped Deadpool could now do him justice? Well, let me tell you.
Lets talk about "The Wolverine" first.
At first the great Darren Aronofsky was set to direct. Fans went apeshit, predicting the second coming of The Dark Knight. It was heartbreaking to see him drop out of the project. At first the movie was meant to be shot in Japan for at least 80%. It seemed like a beautiful idea, since the story is taking place in Japan. It was really unfortunate to see this plan beeing destroyed by the 2011 triple-disaster that struck Japan.
However, FOX found another director as a replacement for Aronofsky. JAMES MANGOLD. Well, what can I say but...I APPROVE! This is probably the best choice they could come up with. Obvioulsy not as genius as Aronofsky, but with Mangold they did at least get an director who still stands ABOVE the average crowd of directors. Mangold is a crafty, yet also very creative, maybe even a bit visionary director. He is really skilled. He brought movies to the screen like "Cop Land", "Identity" and "Walk the Line", which are all considered as pretty good in their respective genres.
Just recently we were treated with almost FULL casting announcements for this movie. I really do approve all of the casting. Obviously we have Hugh Jackman back, who always delievers as Wolverine. Even if he is in a bad film, given a terrible skript to work with, he still always gives a strong Wolvie-Performance, still always doing the best he can. On top of that Hugh Jackmans Wolverine is the longest standing superhero role since Christopher Reeves Superman. It has been 12 years since the beginning of the franchise, and Jackman is still the only actor ever to portray Wolverine. That alone owes him respect. He is just perfect for the role. Yeah, he might be a bit too tall and too slim, but he really pulled off an iconic performance with this character. It is almost as memorable as Harrison Fords Indiana Jones.
Now about the rest of the casting: Well, not too much to say here. Its definatly a good thing to have so much native japanese talent in it. Or at least "asian" talent. I just hope that James Mangold will include scenes of speaking japanese. Japanese is an awesome language, it always sounds kinda "royal".
In general I am incredibly hyped for this movie. Yes, I just said that. I know, Origins was terrible, but Fox really has a good chance to redeem themselves here. It could be the first X- movie that focuses just and only on WOLVIE. No other X-Men, no overload Mutant crapfest like they did in Origins. That was one of the biggest reasons that killed XOW.
Mangold and Fox have to keep it as small and personal as possible. Just focus on Logan and his personal crusade, leading him to Japan, confronting love and a fight for honour. There is no need for other characters from the X-Men franchise to appear in the film just to please genereal audience. Dont bring too much Mutants in. You have Wolverine and the Silver Samurai, all along the supporting characters. Thats enough.
Heck, I even think they dont even have to MENTION other aspects from the X-Men universe. They dont even have to mention that Logan is a mutant. Just leave that whole social-political aspect out, just focus on Logan and a small scaled, yet awesome story.
Logan can carry a movie by himself quite well I believe, no need for letting him run into other mutants with all that fancy abilities. This movie is based on one of the best Wolverine solo-stories ever, it deserves an different feel than just the feel of your average superhero flick. It deserves a tone and a feel like the manga "Blade of the Immortal". That would be near perfect.
And since the budget is only 80 millions I have high hopes for FOX and Mangold acctually keeping it small and character driven. "Logan driven" to be more precise.
At the very least James Mangold is OBVIOUSLY a much better director than Gavin Hood. He is not a studio hack at all. He is someone with good ideas in his mind, who is able to set them through. He is kinda like David Fincher in that matter. Also I just WANT TO BELIEVE that FOX has learned from the disaster that Origins was. They just cant go on with that kind of quality Wolverine-wise. Wolverine deserves much better, done right he can be another Dark Knight.
Also I am glad that Hugh is so enthusiastic for this, since this could very well be his last appearance as Wolverine. I just dont see him appearing in a major role in the First Class series, and I am also not sure if he still has a place in a continouation of the Main Series. Hugh really has to go all out this time.
This movie has alot of potential if done right. The script is apparently good, they found fitting actors, they have a skilled director who doesent shy away from a studio arguement, Tom Rothman is gone... Yes, I want to see this movie. I am eager to see what they manage to create in the next couple of months.
Heck, I am even more hyped for this movie than for Iron Man 3. Thats because even though it will most likely be good, with IM3 I already know what to expect. I have seen Iron Man in IM1, IM2 and The Avengers. There are not so many ways to go on with that character to keep continuity. They wont reinvent the wheel with Iron Man 3.
Closing point about this movie - The perspective is has at the Box Office:
I dont think that FOX considers "The Wolverine" to become a huge jaggernaut at the Box Office. I guess what they expect here is a mild success and a strong home release. The fact that it has only 80 Million USD budget shows us clearly that FOX is taking the safe route with this one. It wont bomb, just because the budget is so low. At least low for a summer superhero blockbuster. I think if "The Wolverine" manages to pull off a 400 Million USD WorldWide performace at the Box Office FOX already would be pleased.
Doing it this way the film could really become a strong character piece, as well as a sleeper hit. Here is hoping Mangold delievers.
Now lets focus on the other movie: "Deadpool".
Well, that will be rather short since there is not so much so talk about on this one. What I have to say is actually more like a little rant. A well deserved rant.
"Deadpool" has to be the best CBM ever that will never see the light of day. I read the screenplay 2 years ago and I was blown away by it. So much genius, so much PURE Deadpool. FOX has such a good script in their hands, and they dont even have to put so much money in it. This film really could work with a 60 Million Dollar Budget. R-Rated obviously.
They attached former SFX worker Tim Miller to the film, making his directional debut here. Not sure what to think of this, but if he uses the brilliant script and if he knows good SFX I think he can do no wrong. Director is really not the most important thing here. Seriously, read the script, it is on the Internet. All of you will agree that this is DEADPOOL-GOLD.
I dont understand why FOX doesent give it a try. It really has good potential to become a cult film.
Also, I am sick and tired of FOX coming up with the excuse that they have to wait for Ryan Reynolds, that they have to wait until it fits in his shedule. This is BULLSHIT ! If Reynolds really would have want to do it, we would already have this movie. Its just not important to Reynolds. Damn Jackass.
Hell, I dont even understand why everyone is sticking to Reynolds so much anyway. I mean, what has he done that he is supported so much by the Comic-Community? He was in two god awful comic films, and he is not even THAT good as an actor.
I say if Reynolds cant get off his lazy butt just RECAST the role !!! Pool is wearing a costume in 95% of the movie anyway. There are really other actors out there who could deliever a great Deadpool.
FOX really has a sleeping masterpiece in their hands. They are astoundingly dumb not to use it.
So, I guess thats it. That was my take on FOX X-Men properties "The Wolverine" and "Deadpool".
What do you think? Do agree with me? Or do you think I am incredibly wrong? Let me know. Make sure to leave a comment.