Not only did Chris Claremont write the comic book source for Fox's The Wolverine but his incredible Days of Future Past story arc in the pages of X-Men is also being adapted by Fox into a feature film. Below, Chris shares a few thoughts about both projects. "Well, the sad reality of Hollywood, especially as it relates to comic books, is that there is never a direct adaptation of source material. I think "Watchmen" was maybe the only time that that was tried.
"The Wolverine" was a project that the producer, Lauren Shuler Donner, has wanted to do ever since I've known her, which is going on better than fifteen years, now. She's loved the story that Frank Miller and I did and has wanted to bring it to the screen. In the story's original incarnation, in Christopher McQuarrie's original screenplay, that was what it was and it was really cool. I mean, I read it; it was good.
This is when Darren Aronofsky was going to direct, and then, after last year's Oscars, he decided he had other things that were more pressing and withdrew from the project. The new director came in wanting to bring his own writing crew on the project, wanting to express his own vision, and it has, as I understand, morphed somewhat considerably from the original story.
I believe there's a photograph, for example, of Hugh Jackman with the bone claws. Which -- that's really cool, it looks great, but that's not in my story. So I would assume it has morphed considerably. We'll find out this summer." We'll likely never find out how much was changed from the Aronofsky's original vision unless he deigns to share his his original vision during the media onslaught he'll face once we move closer to the release of Noah. However, change doesn't equal bad and so far I've liked everything I've heard about the film but the most critical moment will probably come with next's weeks release of the first trailer which will give us our first impression of the tone of the film.
As for Days of Future Past, Claremont offered up these thoughts about the film.
"There was a report online that Bryan Singer was talking about integrating Apocalypse into the "Days of Future Past" storyline, which would obviously be a significant evolution from the original material. Again, this is the nature of Hollywood, or as it seems to approach Marvel product. There is a tremendous amount of synergy between existing concepts and the finished film product." By no means is Claremont bashing what's happening with the translation between comic book and film, he's simply acknowledging that this is the standard practice when it comes to Hollywood and superhero films. But does he wish he had a more active role in the adaptation of the stories he wrote?
"I was instrumental in getting Fox to produce the concept in the first place. I mean, the whole thing was ready to go into turnaround back in 1998-99. I had the serendipity or the karma to write a memo that convinced both Lauren and Fox and Bryan that this was a viable project, and this is how to approach it. I guess you could say my contributions came in a basic level, back in the beginning.
You know, I have the pride of looking in the mirror and saying, "None of this would be there if not for me" on a whole different bunch of levels. If Fox wants to utilize my ability, they know where I am. All they have to do is call -- that's their decision."
Running Time: In post-production
Release Date: July 26, 2013
MPAA Rating: R (rumored)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Brian Tee, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: Mark Bomback (screenplay) Christopher McQuarrie (screenplay) Frank Miller (comic book) Chris Claremont (comic book)
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Analyzing X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
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