Just want to note that I've been complaining about the handling of Cyclops since X1. So I'm harding screaming or stamping feet suddenly.
Second, on Marsden, Singer and
Superman ... I have a personal theory. It's no more than a hunch, mind, based on putting together some curious facts ... but I'll toss it out.
So -- my clues ... If you'll notice, despite Cyke's very small part in X2, Jimmy Marsden was at nearly
every X2 publicity function, etc. No complaints. When asked about his small role, he repeatedly said that it was an ensemble movie, can't be about everyone, etc. ... very diplomatic remarks. He also alluded, in some interviews, to the fact X3 was likely to be about Dark Phoenix, which would include him, since she was his film girlfriend. Again, nothing
presumed, but the implication was there. That ending was hardly filmed without thought to where the franchise would go next, so I'm quite sure there was a lot of talk about X3, even if no concrete plans made.
Now, my little theory is that certain agreements were made behind the scenes. Marsden and Singer are friends. Singer likes Marsden's acting. And Marsden stumped for X2 like a trooper -- far more than Halle, whose part was notably larger. She was making noises even during X2 that she might not be back for X3; Marsden always intended to return. There's no hint he wouldn't come back (nor any that he didn't expect to come back, if asked).
So I've always rather assumed that Singer had promised Marsden a larger role in X3 ... or promised as much as Hollywood ever can promise. Thus, Marsden was happy to promote X2 ... which would lead to X3. In short, it's a future investment for him. Yes, I think Marsden is a genuinely nice guy, from what I've heard, but he has to think of what will help his career. He's not a
fan, he's an actor (even if he may like the franchise).
Yet despite all the informal pre-planning for X3, it languished with no firm dates to begin, Singer eventually gave up and took
Superman, Fox went ballistic ... and we know the fallout of that. Er -- where does that leave Singer's possible promise to Jimmy?
What may be the most remarkable aspect of this story -- again, IF my hunch is anywhere on target -- is what happened next. Singer came through for Marsden. Not on
X-Men ... but on
Superman. Richard White is not a comics character, and as has been pointed out, Marsden certainly didn't have to play the role. I suspect Singer not only offered him the role to make up for what happened with X3, but may even have
created it with him in mind. At the time Marsden signed up, there
wasn't any noise of X3. He was the first X-Man to sign, already on the project before Singer talked to Famke or Shawn Ashmore, which evoked backlash rumblings from Fox. Famke and Ashmore -- both of whom stood to have larger roles in X3 by default -- quickly backed out. But Marsden was
already in, signed on the dotted line.
In a Hollywood where backstabbing seems to be the rule, if my hunch is true and Singer came through on a behind-the-scenes promise even when the original film it pertained to went kerflutz, then I think it speaks pretty well of his loyalty and friendship. Good on him! That would also, btw, make it a lot harder, ethically, for Jimmy to back out, whatever Fox was farting in his direction.
Again ... all speculation. But I do think there's a bit more going on with all this that we see on the surface.
--Minisinoo
The Medicine Wheel: X-Men Fanfiction
Bet you wish you could have some, but you can't. 
