Days of Future Past "Director's Cut": The Official Matthew Vaughn Thread

[Lightning Strykez!]

I've been holding my tongue about this "news" for awhile now, but I can no longer remain silent: I am very, very worried about this production. There is no way we are going to get a quality script, cast, and filmed production in 13 months.

I REALLY hate to say this...especially being one of this forum's biggest vocal supporters of Fox's prior X-films, but...this film will go the way of the FF and X3 movies, which all followed the same predictable formula, with the same predictable studio...and the same predictable results.

It's going to bomb.

 

[JP]

This is a direct result of the strike. Eventually we were going to see 3-4 major CB movies a year, but the fact that we are getting 4 major superhero films in the same season is a result of not having those movies in 09, 10.

2008 had 4 superhero movies in the Summer.

 

[JP]

I've been holding my tongue about this "news" for awhile now, but I can no longer remain silent: I am very, very worried about this production. There is no way we are going to get a quality script, cast, and filmed production in 13 months.

I REALLY hate to say this...especially being one of this forum's biggest vocal supporters of Fox's prior X-films, but...this film will go the way of the FF and X3 movies, which all followed the same predictable formula, with the same predictable studio...and the same predictable results.

It's going to bomb.

But, the script is more or less complete. . . Not saying you're point isn't any less valid.

 

[Downhere]

I've been holding my tongue about this "news" for awhile now, but I can no longer remain silent: I am very, very worried about this production. There is no way we are going to get a quality script, cast, and filmed production in 13 months.

I REALLY hate to say this...especially being one of this forum's biggest vocal supporters of Fox's prior X-films, but...this film will go the way of the FF and X3 movies, which all followed the same predictable formula, with the same predictable studio...and the same predictable results.

It's going to bomb.

I would have to disagree with this assessment. You have Singer producing and having helped with the story and screenplay and you have a great director attached to get this done right. Vaughn doesn't seem like the type of person to be bullied, which is why he dropped X3 because he wasn't comfortable with how things were going. For him to accept this film speaks wonders on how Fox must be treating him and most likely he will have a good amount of creative control to make this film. I'm pretty optimistic so far and I think many will end up surprised at how well things turn out for this next X-Men outing.

 

[Raiden]

I would have to disagree with this assessment. You have Singer producing and having helped with the story and screenplay and you have a great director attached to get this done right. Vaughn doesn't seem like the type of person to be bullied, which is why he dropped X3 because he wasn't comfortable with how things were going. For him to accept this film speaks wonders on how Fox must be treating him and most likely he will have a good amount of creative control to make this film. I'm pretty optimistic so far and I think many will end up surprised at how well things turn out for this next X-Men outing.

I'm cautiously optimistic about First Class, only because Singer is attached as a producer and they already have the script ready, and also because Vaughn is a smart man and he won't sign the agreement without thinking it through; that's why he dropped out of X3 and Thor. Of course, there's that big FOX factor we have to deal with, and for me personally I still don't think First Class is such a good idea. I just hope it will finally succeed, since the last time we have a good superhero movie from Fox was X-Men 2 (and lots of train wrecks like X3, F4 & F4 2, DD & Elektra, Wolverine, etc). Fox doesn't have good enough track record to justify our confidence, however.

 

[TNC9852002]

This forum's activity just quadrupled in like a week..

 

[TNC9852002]

There are a lot of differences in situations between what they're doing here and other CB from FOX. For one, I'm pretty sure that the number of cast members and characters will be small in comparison to X3, probably in between X1 and X2 levels. Therefore, you will be able to manage the story and work with actor's schedules a lot easier. One of the biggest problems with X3 was that it had way too many characters and way too many things going on that it was hard to connect with the characters at times or to care about them. Not only that, but you had so many actors doing other projects simultaneously, they pretty much had nothing to do.

I think this movie has the right kind of talent, team size, and momentum to make this release date and produce something that will reflect everything what people thought was missing/lacking from the last two X-Men movies. If they start shooting in July, they can easily wrap up in November-December, which leaves a very good amount of time before release.

 

[Iceburgeruk]

I agree with some of the others on here that the recent news items do seem a lil worrying. Only a year to get the film done? And then releasing it in a summer full of other comic book movies?

I mean if i had to put money on what film out of the four main superhero ones is gonna flop in 2011 it would be x-men first class, i mean 1) green lantern is a big deal for WB and is their big superhero flick of the year so u can bet thats gonna get promoted heavily 2) thor and captain america are gonna be equally heavily hyped and are gonna have at least some crossover hype from iron man. Basically if anyone is likely to flop its probably gonna be x-men first class

 

[TNC9852002]

Why does one of them have to flop anyway?

This forum is always so pessimistic...

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I would have to disagree with this assessment. You have Singer producing and having helped with the story and screenplay and you have a great director attached to get this done right. Vaughn doesn't seem like the type of person to be bullied, which is why he dropped X3 because he wasn't comfortable with how things were going. For him to accept this film speaks wonders on how Fox must be treating him and most likely he will have a good amount of creative control to make this film. I'm pretty optimistic so far and I think many will end up surprised at how well things turn out for this next X-Men outing.

*sigh*


We as fanboys and girls will forever be optimistic. My God, we live on that.

But for once in my Hype Life I am going to be realistic. This will NOT go well. I don't even have to list the reasons why--we all secretly know what they are. We've had the same conversations about what woulda/shoulda/coulda leading up to every FOX film's release--even as recently as the Wolverine solo film. And guess it? It still ended up a pile of steaming poo.--despite Hugh Jackman's amazing talent.

Look:

I am confident in Matthew's ability.

I am glad that Lauren and Bryan are involved in their respective capacities.

I love the premise of the film.

But what you guys are not realizing (or perhaps deliberately trying to forget again) is that there is one common denominator that has neutered the creative powers of these professionals over and over again since 2000: Twentieth. Century. FOX. That studio is incapable of producing ANYTHING of value in this genre. Trust me, nothing is going to be different.

This is one Super Hero Hype that I am not going to buy into this time. LOL

 

[Ipodman]

Well... I wanna know whats the lineup.....

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Why does one of them have to flop anyway?

This forum is always so pessimistic...

Pessimistic? Really? You talk as if FOX has some sort of sterling record of producing good comic book films lately. I mean again...REALLY?

It's not pessimism in the least. No one wants a great X-Men film with Mathew Vaugn more than me. However, I am not naive. Not this time. I have been up and down this rollercoaster so much with FOX that I've lost my lunch. And this is coming from Lightning...the user whom some believed was actually a Cheerleading Plant for FOX in the past.

No.

Bottom Line: We are dealing with the same players, timelines and resources from before. Nothing has changed. At some point you guys will have to realize that even the most compentent director will not produce value if the studio has a problem with micromanagement.

 

[Ipodman]

Avatar won alot of fans and money

 

[TNC9852002]

Pessimistic? Really? You talk as if FOX has some sort of sterling record of producing good comic book films lately. I mean again...REALLY?

It's not pessimism in the least. No one wants a great X-Men film with Mathew Vaugn more than me. However, I am not naive. Not this time. I have been up and down this rollercoaster so much with FOX that I've lost my lunch. And this is coming from Lightning...the user whom some believed was actually a Cheerleading Plant for FOX in the past.

No.

Bottom Line: We are dealing with the same players, timelines and resources from before. Nothing has changed. At some point you guys will have to realize that even the most compentent director will not produce value if the studio has a problem with micromanagement.

What the hell happened to you Lightning? You used to be cool.

To me, you're just taking the easy road and going out on a limb early just because the odds are against this film. I don't think it means much to me when people say things like this, especially when a film hasn't even started production. You may even be right and I just don't want to hear it, but I cannot and will not ever see a day when I've given up on company and a series that has given me so much to live up to and delivered. It happened before and it will happen again, I promise you.

I've been here longer than most, so I've seen and remember the good days well and I've been through the bad. I have seen what it takes to make a quality effort in a CB movie and I try my best to look at all angles as they happen.

 

[Downhere]

LS, I think your attitude toward this film may be a good thing as you may be pleasantly surprised when you see the final product.

The reason I have some hope is that Vaughn looks like a guy who doesn't take any crap and can hold his own against studio heads. He's done fantastic work with Layer Cake, Stardust, and his most impressive...Kick Ass. I'm thinking he may pull this off.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

What the hell happened to you Lightning? You used to be cool.

I am still cool. Cooler than ever before.

And smarter too.

To me, you're just taking the easy road and going out on a limb early just because the odds are against this film. I don't think it means much to me when people say things like this, especially when a film hasn't even started production.

TNC: I have a challenge for you. Considering the 11-13 month production timeline plan this studio insists on using, please name one quality comic book film that FOX has delivered since 2003.

Just one would be sufficient. Thanks.

 

[JP]

See, a part of me agrees with you LS, but another part of me takes a few other things into consideration...

The man who delivered two great X-Men movies under Fox is heavily involved in this film. And another man who gave a big FU to Fox years ago has agreed to direct.

You have a story conceived by Bryan Singer. Remember, X-Men: First Class was already written by Josh Schwartz, but that script was basically trashed when Singer came on board because he had story he wanted to tell.

This is nothing like X3 or Wolverine, which were basically stories conceived by Fox.

 

[TNC9852002]

TNC: I have a challenge for you. Considering the 11-13 month production timeline plan this studio insists on using, please name one quality comic book film that FOX has delivered since 2003.

Just one would be sufficient. Thanks.

Now you're just disrespecting me and insulting my intelligence.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

LS, I think your attitude toward this film may be a good thing as you may be pleasantly surprised when you see the final product.

I highly doubt it DH.

The reason I have some hope is that Vaughn looks like a guy who doesn't take any crap and can hold his own against studio heads. He's done fantastic work with Layer Cake, Stardust, and his most impressive...Kick Ass. I'm thinking he may pull this off.

I have no concerns about Vaughn. He is not the problem here. If he had 2 years to develop this (ya know, like every other QUALITY sci-fi/cb film ergo Iron Man, Batman/Dark Knight, Star Trek, Avatar, etc.,) I'd be playing a different tune.

But 13 months of stress, disorganization, rushed post production and studio politics/micromanagement? It doesn't matter who is in the director's chair, my friend. Those are terrible circumstances to direct ANY film.

I am done with the Easy-Bake Oven approach with FOX's cb properties. Done, I say.

Now you're just disrespecting me and insulting my intelligence.

No, I am not.

I am asking you to think.

To think about what we're dealing with here--AGAIN. See, you don't want to face the facts--which are overwhelmingly in support of my stance on this issue this time. And it pains me to even say all of this. But it's the truth...and I embrace that.

 

[Ipodman]

Cant be worst than X3....

 

[danoyse]

Bottom Line: We are dealing with the same players, timelines and resources from before. Nothing has changed. At some point you guys will have to realize that even the most compentent director will not produce value if the studio has a problem with micromanagement.

So maybe we should just close down this forum? Or just consider anyone hoping the film will be good a troll and chase them out with our blinding Fox hate? I'll give you the keys, you can lock up.

Sorry, that's not how things are going to go down here.

Looking through all of the posts since this news was announced, the general consensus from everyone is excited, with obvious reservations. That reservation of course being Fox.

No one here is stupid (well, almost no one ), and we've all been around the block with this twice now - even more than that when you consider their other superhero franchises - so, we know. It's Fox, and you have to hope for the best and brace for the worst. It sucks that it has to be that way, but that's just the way it is - and the way it's going to be for the forseeable future.

I think the series is down, but it's certainly not out and I don't think anyone should be accused of not being realistic tjust because they're hopeful that the team they've got behind this film is better than what they've had before.

 

[JP]

To think about what we're dealing with here--AGAIN. See, you don't want to face the facts--which are overwhelmingly in support of my stance on this issue this time. And it pains me to even say all of this. But it's the truth...and I embrace that.

See, I don't think I'm unrealistic about this. I learned my lesson with Fox a long time ago, and that's why I completely ignored Wolverine. I didn't follow any of that production. X3 and Wolverine had various slashes against them.

So far, First Class only has one, and that's the time frame. If more problems appear to start popping up then I'll do what I did with Wolverine, and stay clear of this forum.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

The man who delivered two great X-Men movies under Fox is heavily involved in this film.

Bryan Singer delivered two great Wolverine films under FOX. They were never really consummate X-Men films JP.

And another man who gave a big FU to Fox years ago has agreed to direct.

You may be forgetting the politics at play here. FOX has to get this thing done pronto to retain the rights to these properties. Matthew does not yet have enough clout to really manipulate this studio to do his bidding, his success with Layer Cake and Kick Ass notwithstanding.

You have a story conceived by Bryan Singer.

Aside from FOX's involvement, the information you've cited above is the second scariest part about all of this to me.

You have a story conceived by Bryan Singer. Remember, X-Men: First Class was already written by Josh Schwartz, but that script was basically trashed when Singer came on board because he had story he wanted to tell.

Again. Utterly scary.

Bryan has not shown he is really the best with ensemble films. He is a fantastic director, but he does best when he focuses on one character and decorates that character's surroundings with others. Not saying that it will be Logan per se (although I'm expecting it), but mark my words: Bryan will be focusing on SOMEONE exclusively (ergo, Xavier and Magneto--and possibly a slightly romanticized angle on their love/hate relationship) and everyone else will be filler.

In other words, it still won't really be an X-Men film in it's truest, unadulterated form. It's just not possible to get that from Bryan. And that's not knocking him...it's just the way he develops things.

And he's not even directing.

 

[JP]

Well, obviously you have your own issues to work out then.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

So maybe we should just close down this forum? Or just consider anyone hoping the film will be good a troll and chase them out with our blinding Fox hate? I'll give you the keys, you can lock up.

Im sorry, but your post is not making a lot of sense to me? I've been managing this forum for a long time, and these concerns have been here from the very begining of its inception. Nothing I've posted tonight is some bold revelation to anyone. The only difference (and perhaps shocker to some) is that for once I'm the one claiming the argument.

TNC said this forum was "pessimistic" and I corrected that statement: This forum has always had two sides of this same basic argument. However, as the years have rolled along, certain positions have gained significant strength--not because of blind "pessimism", but rather because of an extensive--and consistent--track record of missteps with productions from this particular studio.

I think the series is down, but it's certainly not out and I don't think anyone should be accused of not being realistic tjust because they're hopeful that the team they've got behind this film is better than what they've had before.

Not sure that statement is entirely fair. I am simply issuing a reminder to remember the past and proceed with caution for the future. In fact, the same clause could be applied to those who are accused of being "pessismistic" just because they've observed the same cycle repeat itself over the last 8 years, no?