The
LA Times Hero Complex had the chance to catch up with
X-Men and
Superman Returns director Bryan Singer and his studio producer Lauren Shuler Donner while they were both reminiscing about past projects and discussing plans for their next collaboration,
X-Men: First Class.
Singer explained that his return to the franchise was due to his affinity towards the characters,
"I genuinely like the people, and my personality meshes more with this universe than it does with other universes, I think; I see that now at this point," Singer said.
"I feel a connection to the X-Men characters and also the ensemble nature of the films. If you look at 'Usual Suspects'' or my last film, 'Valkyrie,' I feel especially comfortable with ensemble juggling. In the space between all the characters you can disguise a central thought that's hidden in all the discourse. I missed that with the singular relationship story of Superman. And, well, it always gives you something to cut to..."
X-Men: First Class is a prequel film, loosely based on the comic series of the same title, that will focus on the beginning of Xavier's school for mutants. Younger actors will portray the previously seen characters
Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Beast. When asked if a certain actor might return as Wolverine, Singer just shrugged,
"I had lunch with Hugh Jackman today."
Singer feels that a film that follows a group of super powered schoolkids isn't enough to carry the story; that's why the film will focus on two battling adults,
"Just doing younger mutants is not enough. The story needs to be more than that. I love the relationship between Magneto and Xavier, these two men who have diametrically opposite points of view but still manage to be friends -- to a point. They are the ultimate frenemies."
Apparently
X-Men: First Class isn't the only X-film that Singer has his eye on. Shuler Donner has pitched Singer on taking the reigns of a fourth installment of the original X-Men franchise. Singer does seem interested in returning to an adult X-Men film. He told Donner,
"Hold that one off for just a little, I'm fixated on the other one right now." Donner answered with,
"I will, I will ... I'm holding it open with high hopes. It's totally different [from 'First Class'] and it will be so interesting for you."
If two future X-films isn't enough, it seems that Hugh Jackman's lunch date with Singer was really a cover to coax him into a helming another project; which may be the sequel to
X-Men Origins: Wolverine film.
"I wish I could be four people," the director said with a moan.
"I could make everybody happy."
It appears that for Singer to makes all these Hollywood heavy hitters happy, he would have to direct not only
X-Men: First Class, but the continuation of
X-Men 3 and Wolverine's Japan saga. With three comic book movies already under his belt, these future projects would solidify his place as the go-to comic adaptation director.
To read the full interview, which contains Singer and Donner's thoughts on all three past X-films, be sure to visit the LA Times Hero Complex and the provided link