Days of Future Past Should DOFP be used to reboot the X-Men franchise?

[Naji Assan]

And for the record, no, I don't think that any of this stuff is "essential" to the X-Men mythos. In fact, I feel if this stuff was gone, the comic mythos could be taken far more seriously.

It already is taken very seriously.

no to comic costumes.

What do you like from the comics?

I gather from your posts that you liked the first four films but nothing after because the material began to get closer to the books. That's fine, but it makes your views on where the franchise is now completely negative.

 

[def28]

Singer already left the franchise once due to X-Men burnout.

You do realize these people aren't robots right?

Was using it as an example. I think he will stay on the series even if he doesn't direct as a producer or Story/screen writer. Money is to be made and he's been back for two flicks, so he obviously still has interest.

 

[Crimz]

I would like an African Storm and a Russian Colossus, but no to comic costumes and I don't need less Wolverine. Wolverine over abundance is not an issue that stems from the movies.

I want the costumes more comic inspired not dead on, little things like Rouge wearing a brown jacket over her uniform. They wear the same uniform with slight differences to reflect their personalities. Wolverine has his own films, I just want him to take back seat in the X-Men films not gone completely, but the centre of attention. He is awesome so he steals the scenes he is in, but he is not the main focus.

 

[docdoc]

That would be awesome, yet not likely to happen.

There are so many (minor) continuity problems which are hard to fix & the production team simply do not have any motivation to fix them.

The only things Singer may consider to fix by using this time travelling plot would be bringing Jean + Cyclops back from death.

 

[X-Maniac]

Wolverine and DOFP are 10 months from eachother, so we are kinda already at that point. As long as they make money I can see them releasing 2 a year.

That's a first though for this franchise, and we don't know if it will be the norm.

I also wouldn't want them to churn out the movies too fast or it risks a drop in quality. Fox just doesn't seem to have the strategic planning and overall vision that Marvel Studios has used to great effect (with Kevin Feige as super-producer).

 

[Naji Assan]

Fox just doesn't seem to have the strategic planning and overall vision that Marvel Studios has used to great effect (with Kevin Feige as super-producer).

You say that based on what? The expansion of the Fox universe just started and while Feige and Fine are doing good over at Marvel/Disney it doesn't mean their efforts can't be easily replicated. Its literally as easy as "oh, so that's how we make money from these comic book properties."

Marvel/Disney woke the other studios from their slumber, yes but don't possess some exclusive in-studio attribute that Fox can't literally copy and paste (as can Sony and Warner Bros).

 

[psylockolussus]

And this estimate is based on what?

Question 2, if they make 400 - 500 million worldwide, what explanation will you have then? No "OT cast", no Hugh Jackman Wolverine, the words "X-Men" not even in the title...how could it be?

Well if you predicted spin-offs like X-Force, Deadpool, New Mutants, will be very successful. Well I don't. We all have different opinions. And if you look at the track record for this franchise, spin-offs don't do quite well compare to films featuring the OT cast. I don't see it changing after DOFP's release.

Either way - they are going to have to start giving us more than just one X-Men team movie every year. They are at least going to have to bump it up to two a year if they are serious about expanding the universe.

Not all the movies need to be large scale movies either. If they are smart, they'll make some of the spin-off titles smaller like they did with The Wolverine to maximize profit.

Titles like X-Factor Investigations, Deadpool or a Gambit solo run could work, and probably benefit, as smaller productions.

2 X-Movies a year As a fan I should be happy but it would just to lead to franchise fatigue and oversaturation.

 

[psylockolussus]

Uh, they're already gambling with DOFP. It's Fox's second biggest production after Avatar. That is a MASSIVE gamble.

And yet they're gambling with using the cast of previous films?

Its not much of a gamble compare to spending $200 million in a X-Force film. Now thats a gamble. Well not that I think they will spend that amount of money in a X-Force film. But releasing follow-ups to movies like X3/First Class is not a gamble at all. And I feel like the OT cast appearing in this movie is acting like a safe blanket for this series.

 

[psylockolussus]

Yeah, but you guys have to see the distinction. A bunch of team or ensemble spinoffs ultimately doesn't directly create hype for your "Avengers" event. They'd still be ensemble movies as opposed to solo films. Avengers and Justice League are all-star heroes coming together. Plus, if one of these spinoffs doesn't pan out, why would they even want to touch base with that film/characters in the "event" movie and waste screen time. If audiences didn't respond to it to begin with, then why would they care in a bigger cross over event? And don't give me TIH, since Hulk already has a track record over 40 plus years. None of those obscure mutant titles come close.

And there's just no way X-Men would be similar to the Avengers. Maybe if they are releasing solo movies for Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Jean first, then they come together in a X-Men team movie. Then that would be similar to the format of the Avengers. But multiple films for more than 2 mutant teams? And if the spin-offs like X-Factor bombed or if their film sucked, Fox would think twice including them in the next X-Men crossover film.

I feel like people keep suggesting what Fox should do next but again they are not like Disney, who follows a 5 year plan.

 

[SuperT]

Singer already left the franchise once due to X-Men burnout.

You do realize these people aren't robots right?

There are other producers, directors and creative consultants out there Fox can hire. Singer doesn't have to direct every single movie.

Look at Marvel - they aren't using the same director for every single movie they produce, that just leads to a lack of range in storytelling. Keep Singer around to be the sort guide for the entire universe but give him enough room to go do other projects as he sees fit. Whedon is heavily involved in what MS are doing but he's still been able to do other projects (Much Ado About Nothing, Cabin in the Woods).

Fox really has to start putting some serious thought into how they are going to attempt to expand this universe while still keeping the quality high. They need to invest in some more talent because Singer can't do it all by himself.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I think the best route for them to go is give us a classic storyline development featuring the X-Men as a true ensemble. Keep Wolverine. But bring Cyclops, Storm, Jean and a few others to the forefront. My biggest issue with this franchise is the lack of balance. It's been "all or nothing." I believe Logan plays a huge role for the X-Men and it's just not the same without him. However, he has been abused and overused in the films and it's been detrimental to every other character.

Just sit his ass down for a minute. Give him some bench time without kicking him off the team. That way others can play. I don't need the X-Men to duplicate any other formula from The Avengers except the balance of character interaction and team-work sequences. That is sorely missing with FOX's X-Men: Logan gets 90% of the action scenes in every film.

 

[psylockolussus]

I get your point and in future X-Men movies, they should start balancing screentime for the team especially Colossus, Shadowcat, Iceman and Rogue aren't teenagers anymore.

I do wonder what direction they will go if they ever do another X-Men movie featuring the OT cast. Are they gonna feature mutants as students again, and there's Storm/Wolverine/Prof X and maybe Rogue as teachers now, the Xavier Institute acting like a school again. Personally, I prefer to see more of field work and exploration in different locations.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

As much as I love the OT cast, I want them to go away. I want a new interpretation of Storm and that will require another actress. I appreciate Halle Berry but I'm ready for her to stand down. And that goes for pretty much everyone else too. It's got a "been there/done that" feel to it now. I'm over it.

But I'm NOT over Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Ice-Man, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Collossus, Kitty, etc. Keep them. Just lose the actors.

 

[psylockolussus]

Thats not gonna happen though. Even if they ditched the OT cast for FC cast. You aren't getting a clean state and Fox is already considering a Wolverine 3 film with Hugh Jackman and James Mangold.

 

[SuperT]

As much as I love the OT cast, I want them to go away. I want a new interpretation of Storm and that will require another actress. I appreciate Halle Berry but I'm ready for her to stand down. And that goes for pretty much everyone else too. It's got a "been there/done that" feel to it now. I'm over it.

But I'm NOT over Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Ice-Man, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Collossus, Kitty, etc. Keep them. Just lose the actors.

Couldn't agree more. Love the OT cast but I'm ready for a rejuvenation with the characters.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

It already is taken very seriously.



What do you like from the comics?

I gather from your posts that you liked the first four films but nothing after because the material began to get closer to the books. That's fine, but it makes your views on where the franchise is now completely negative.

Actually, I like all 6 films. And I would hardly say that the movies got closer to the books past X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The Wolverine is quite probably the most respectful and accurate direct adaptation of the source material and the specific story they were telling. But X-Men: First Class is by far the largest departure from the source material of the entire series. At times, it's hardly even an X-Men movie it differs from the source material so badly.

All the movies have their strengths and weaknesses in regards to accuracy to the source material. But I don't find anything in the series being so outright disrespectful that it's not even "X-Men" anymore. I can point to 3 specific instances of source material changes that I find to be disrespectful of the source material - killing Cyclops, curing Rogue, and Deadpool. Outside of that, the movies nail it about 90% of the time.

I like plenty from the comics. But I don't have to like everything about the comics just because there's an "X-Men" title slapped across the front cover.

And while the comics can have good stories, most of the writing is very basic and childish. There's often times not a lot of depth to the dialogue or the writing. There's often a lack of subtlety, and far too often the comics confuse "convoluted" for "complexity".

The comics do quite a few things better than the cartoons and the movies. But in quite a few other ways, the movies are a much superior method of storytelling than what exists in the comics. In so many ways, the movies are a much more mature and intellectual approach to the characters and stories.

 

[def28]

That's a first though for this franchise, and we don't know if it will be the norm.

I also wouldn't want them to churn out the movies too fast or it risks a drop in quality. Fox just doesn't seem to have the strategic planning and overall vision that Marvel Studios has used to great effect (with Kevin Feige as super-producer).

Definitely, not saying lets just turn out flicks for the hell of it. Don't think anyone is saying that. But I see nothing wrong if say X-Force or Deadpool/Wolveirne get released within a year of a new X-Men movie. Non of those films will feel the same or have the same writers/Directors. Would be similar to what they are doing here with TW and DOFP. They want to have an expanded Universe and I don't think they will be able to do that with having the audiences wait years in between. Times have changed and studios need to keep up plus stay relevant and fresh. This year actually feels like X-Men is making a great choice moving forward as a franchise. Difference between variety and over saturation of the market. As long as they put out new and solid flicks all should be good.

Everything Millar talked about when being hired seems to be moving forward in some way. Plenty to explore here with multiple films.

 

[X-Maniac]

You say that based on what? The expansion of the Fox universe just started and while Feige and Fine are doing good over at Marvel/Disney it doesn't mean their efforts can't be easily replicated. Its literally as easy as "oh, so that's how we make money from these comic book properties."

Well, I'm hoping it can be easily replicated. It's more than just the planning of lead-in films and big event movies; it's also about the respectful treatment and depiction of characters and stories (though Marvel itself is now more conspicuously deviating from source with Mandarin and Ultron).

Marvel/Disney woke the other studios from their slumber, yes but don't possess some exclusive in-studio attribute that Fox can't literally copy and paste (as can Sony and Warner Bros).

It still annoys me that there was a 'slumber'. In a time when studios are all scratching around looking for the next franchise, the next Harry Potter, it's astonishing that many of these comic book properties have been neglected and/or mistreated. Didn't they know the value of what they had? I'll answer that for you: No, they didn't. It's utterly baffling that a studio can take a property (X-Men) that has published multiple comic series over 50 years and been adapted into three animated series and make such a half-assed attempt at cashing in on it. It doesn't suggest much business sense or commercial competitiveness at all.

 

[Alison Blaire]

The reboots are the most stupid thing to do.Breaks the continuity,It is a business strategy to have cheaper actors.

And repeat again and again the same for the new generations.We have terrific actors who can teach us a lot more.Hugh Jackman is the only one who should take a break.There supersaturation with Wolverine & Jackman.

 

[X-Maniac]

Well if you predicted spin-offs like X-Force, Deadpool, New Mutants, will be very successful. Well I don't. We all have different opinions. And if you look at the track record for this franchise, spin-offs don't do quite well compare to films featuring the OT cast. I don't see it changing after DOFP's release.

2 X-Movies a year As a fan I should be happy but it would just to lead to franchise fatigue and oversaturation.

Your reply wasn't directed at me, but I want to respond.

Surely we don't need the spin-offs to be massive moneyspinners. They just need to be profitable, good movies and well received by fans and critics. If they make tons of money, then great. But as long as they make a profit and are good movies, they have done their job. That's the case with The Wolverine - it didn't do that well in the US but it has made money overall.

The other thing is that Fox has already announced Wolverine 3 and X Force, so we ARE getting these spin-offs or lead-in movies. It's no longer just a possibility that can be debated, it's a fact.

 

[Mr.M]

Whoa so now I have to justify my opinion with the size of my comic book collection???

No. But why would you invest in a vast X-Men comic book collection when those comics are rampant with the over the top sci-fi and supernatural elements? Doesn't really make sense. Yes, like you, I prefer my X-Men movies to be grounded in reality and I think the films struck that perfect tone. But to just dismiss all the cosmic and mythical stuff like the Phoenix and Savage Land when those are big aspects of the source material is near sighted. They may need to be re-worked for cinematic purposes, but it can still be done. I wouldn't just retcon or toss all that stuff out the window because it's not my preference. I'd like to see a stark contrast to the Singerverse if/when they reboot the series. Yeah, you won't be watching regardless, but some film maker is going to come with a different take on this franchise eventually, and I want a contrasting style. Think Star Wars Prequels, only let's get some actual good movies...

 

[SuperT]

It is a business strategy to have cheaper actors.

Too bad most reboots these days hire actors that aren't cheap at all.

You think Jennifer Lawrence, or even Fassbender, are cheap actors to get?! Hardly.

 

[Angamb]

Jennifer wasnt expensive back in 2010.

Now is a whole different story. Same with Fassbender, who probably gets more money now compared to 2010.

But Fox and Matthew were smart signing both, and McAvoy.

 

[GuestStar2004]

You think Jennifer Lawrence, or even Fassbender, are cheap actors to get?! Hardly.

Cheap? Not anymore

 

[Mr.M]

After the third film the FC cast's time may be up. For these franchises, you really need to have an option, at minimum, for a 4th movie. Negotiating after three films is very difficult, and each subsequent sign up is done on a movie by movie basis. Must have been difficult getting RDJ back, but Marvel knew they had to have him. For the next X-Men series, I would try to sign on the young OT replacements to a 6 movie deal over a 15-20 year period. You want a long term commitment, and you can offer incentives, provide a time frame for advance notice, and flexibility in terms of screen time and time required on the set.