In my fanscript for X3 I had the intro of Jean and Ann (Ann dying, Jean's powers first intiating and going crazy in an effort to try and save Ann). I felt, as I wrote it at least, that it was a far more gripping, emotional and better way to start the movie (in comparison to the intros of the first two movies).
Again, just my opinion. Here's the opening that I wrote --
BLACKNESS.
Then, a voice. Crisp. Comforting. Light, eloquent music plays.
XAVIER (V.O.)
Evolution. Nature’s plan and pattern. Spanning years, centuries, even eons.
A sharp light EXPLODES, millions of DNA SPIRALS roaring past in rich crystalline colors. The DNA strands coalesce around one another, weaving into a complex globe-like sphere.
XAVIER (V.O.)
Yet what happens when nature evolves too quickly? What happens when man is forced to ask –-
Then slowly, FIRE spreads across the DNA SPHERE, consuming it, turning it into a sizzling ball of cindered strands.
XAVIER (V.O.)
-- can she be stopped? Can man, the most unique of all her images, halt a plan predating his very own existence? Can they halt the world? Stay the future? And ultimately...stop us...?
The DNA turns to ASH, drifting away, leaving only darkness.
XAVIER (V.O.)
...Mutants.
In a RUSH of MUSIC and LIGHT, WORDS fill the screen:
X-MEN 3
CREDIT SEQUENCE ENDS with the slamming of CEREBRO’S ARMORED DOOR. An image forms in the door’s CRYSTAL LOCK. An IMAGE of:
A mailbox emblazed with the title “GREY”.
EXT. JEAN GREY’S HOUSE – DAY
Down the street, TWO children PLAY in the afternoon heat. JEAN GREY (9) and ANN MALCOM (9) are throwing a Frisbee across the LAWN. For a few seconds they TOSS around the toy, and giggle. As Ann THROWS the Frisbee harder, competitively –
Jean manages to CATCH it. Smirking, Jean musters up the strength and returns a MIGHTIER throw -- in which Ann struggles to catch it, laughing, until --
SLAM! A VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY HITS ANN, PINNING HER TO A TREE WITHIN SECONDS.
Jean REACTS to this -- horrified.
EXT. ACCIDENT - JEAN GREY’S HOUSE - DAY
Jean RUNS to the CRASH. Smoke and fuselage from the vehicle create fog and smoke, but once VANISHES enough Jean catches an awful visage.
Ann is still alive, coughing blood. She runs to her friend’s side. Looking at her -- Jean is convulsing.
She looks at Ann, who WATCHES, SHAKEN.
EXT. JEAN’S P.V.
Her mind’s RACING -- BLACKOUTS -- and then HALLUCINATIONS of --
EXT. JEAN GREY’S HOUSE - PREVIOUS
Jean and Ann playing Frisbee.
INT. JEAN GREY'S HOUSE - JEAN'S ROOM - PREVIOUS
Jean and Ann play with dolls.
INT. JEAN GREY'S HOUSE - JEAN'S ROOM - PREVIOUS
Ann combs Jean's hair affectionately.
EXT. JEAN’S P.V.
She looks AROUND her -- the LEAFS and TREES begin to rustle with the WIND, catching up in speed. She SCREAMS, uncertainly, and -
THE VEHICLE SLOWLY DEPARTS FROM ITS POSITION, ALLOWING ANN TO FALL TO THE GROUND.
Ann FALLS into Jean’s lap -- she tries to MAINTAIN these occurrences, these “FEELINGS”. Jean lies her hand on Ann’s -- sensing her PULSE, her heart beat growing weaker and weaker -- Jean touches Ann’s chest and -- UNEXPECTEDLY -- sends BOLTS OF POWER -- they pass -- causing Ann to REACT, her body SEIZING -- Jean’s HAND is shaking -- the beat grows weaker, Jean is trying HARDER --
Ann’s crying, and MUTTERS one last word –
ANN
Jea –-
The heartbeat is no more. Drenched in a POOL of blood, Jean REACTS. Adults SWARM her.
Jean CRIES in pain, holding her dead best friend. The adults are apprehensive about approaching --
The CARNAGE of the vehicle is LEVITATED around Jean and Ann, circling and enclosing them both.
Then, Jean SCREAMS. The vehicle, LEVITATED, begins to CRUNCH and DISSIMULATE --
The vehicle RISES in the air -- the adults look up -- and the VEHICLE EXPLODES into a million pieces as we CUT TO –-
That's it.
