Lisea:
But Wolverine doesn't have to be the main character in X3. I can't say he's ever been a main character. There were only main plots (Logan/Magneto in X1, Logan/Xavier/Stryker in X2...) So why can't they make a plot for X3 that involves Scott? He can be a supporting character, and still get more screentime. Wouldn't it be awkward, given the history between him and Jean, that he was completely cut from the future sequels? If Jean's believed dead, and comes back in X3, there has to be a reaction from Scott. They are engaged, after all.
From a film-makers perspective, it's not just main plots, it's also stars and star power. Look at the difference that Halle's Oscar made. That's not a swipe at Halle, either, simply a point of fact. (Unlike some, I
don't hate Halle Berry in the role, though she probably interests me the least.) Storm would have wound up like Cyclops after X1, otherwise. Cyke was better liked -- by far -- by film goers after X1, but Halle got more screentime than Jimmy in X2. Star power.
Jackman was considered the star of X1, along with Stewart and McKellen. He's in nearly every scene; when he's not, it's Stewart or McKellen. Jackman was the "leading man" (Hollywood terminology). He's actually LESS so in X2. But with a large ensemble cast, they're going to focus (ultimately) on a point character or two to "drive" the action. If X3 does go to Dark Phoenix, the female lead will be Janssen. They won't demote Jackman for Marsden, who (unfortunately) hasn't gotten enough good reviews. From what I've seen, reviews of his work even in X2 are mixed. That puts him in a bad position. He (and Paquin) are the only actors I've seen actively *panned* in a review of X2. Of course, some reviewers also complimented him ... but no one's panning Jackman.
I think some reviewers simply don't find the
character of Cyke compelling (which is a script problem, not an actor problem). I will reserve my judgement until Friday, but I liked Marsden just fine in X1, and I've heard from those whose opinions I trust that he does an outstanding job in X2 with what little he has.
Anyway, my main point was just that I could see a way Dark Phoenix might be redone without Cyclops, or without a lot of Cyclops ... AND I hope they
don't. But the thing is the producers will think like producers, not like comics fans (much less Cyclops fans). And if they think giving more time to Cyclops might hurt the film, or that he doesn't have a big enough fanbase, he
won't get a bigger role in X3, regardless of "logic" or "should" or comic canon.
The best way to counteract that is to write letters to Singer and the studio, expressing disappointment that Cyke was underused in X2, and asking for more Cyclops in X3. Don't be rude, of course, but studios go by fan (and critic) response. Their bottom line is to sell movies.
Grey Fyre said:
Whats the chances that Phoenix ... is a sideline story in X3, with something else being the main story ... and then Dark Phoenix is the central story for X4 (since the TPTB seem to be talking up beyond X3 in the wake of all the good X2 reviews...). In order to allow for a gentle transformation in her dark side...
This would make a lot of sense, imo, and would follow the comic much better. The problem will be TIME -- the time it takes to put out one of these films. Jackman has said/implied that he won't likely return after X3. His career doesn't need it, and doing more than 3 X-films could possibly result in typecasting. He does have to think about that.
That wouldn't necessary rule out a Dark Phoenix storyline for X4, as Logan really didn't have a big role in it, originally. But there's also Famke to worry about, for two reasons. First, she's my age -- pushing 40. If it takes 3 years to make the next X-film, she'll be 41ish at filming. Add another 3 years for X4, and she'll be 44ish. She's a *pretty* woman, make no mistake, and will age well, but they're still fighting time. However much people *****ed about the "young" Cyke in X1, that was actually a wise move. He has some "years" in him -- more than Jackman or Janssen. Jackman has raised the age issue himself -- really critical for Wolverine, who doesn't age. There will be a point past which Jackman simply can't play the role. Same for Janssen, and it'll come sooner than for Marsden. So agewise, I think X4 is probably the furthest they could go with these characters as main characters -- if they can go that far.
The other issue is just that I don't get the impression Janssen herself is that enamored of X-Men. For her, I suspect this movie has been a job, not a passion. She seems to like her costars, and Bryan, but that's probably what's holding her to continuing, along with the fact it's a paycheck. I don't think playing Jean is that high on her list of "roles to lust for." She may simply not be willing to go beyond X3, although who knows? If Dark Phoenix were tabled for X3 and built towards in X4, and she was offered lots of screen time and good billing (she's had crappy billing in X2), she could probably be lured.
Dany said:
I don't think that Bryan will give more enphasys to it now ...
Well, I hate to sound like an utter cynic but ... Bryan will look at the responses to X2 (fan and critic), listen to the producers, and then make his decisions. If fans seem content that the triangle is resolved, it'll stay resolved. But whatever was said before, if fans scream for more Jean and Logan, guess what? They'll get more Jean and Logan.
Again, the BEST way to counteract this is to write to Singer and the studio. They don't have time to read online posts from various message boards. (g) But if they get a lot of letters complaining that Cyclops was overlooked ... he won't be next time. (Just don't be rude; being rude in letters only ticks off people.) Writing a letter and mailing it takes far more effort than posting to a message board or writing email (especially these days), and studios and producers weight it more, accordingly.
James didn't say that if he has a little screentime on X3 ( by the script ) he won't do it, did he ?
Actually, he did imply it. After X1, he said that he was contracted to do X2, but then, "We'll see." This was coupled to a remark he made (probably tossed off but unfortunately for him, picked up and repeated in several places, which couldn't have endeared him to Bryan, et al.) that X1 "wasn't a great acting experience," as there wasn't a lot of character work to do.
So yes, he did imply after X1 that he'd be negotiating more time in X3. But his career was headed up at that point, and it's stalled since, so he may be singing a different tune now. Marsden is a fan of Marsden, not of Cyclops.
And that's not an insult to him -- he HAS to be. Acting is his job, and he has a wife and a kid to think about. If he has better roles offered to him that pay better, he'll take them, and I wouldn't blame him. He HAS seemed pretty enthusiastic about X2, but then, he's supposed to be and it's hard to guess what he really thinks. He is, after all, an
actor.
I know, I know -- I seem like a real cycnic, but our interests as fans aren't the same interests as those of studios and producers.
We're "geeks."
They figure they have our pocketbook. They're making movies to appeal to those who are looking in the newspaper, thinking, "Oh, what should we go see tonight?" They're a MUCH bigger slice of the pie than the hardcore X-fan.
So if we want to make an impression and perhaps be listened to, we have to keep *their* perspective in mind, and act accordingly. They may listen if enough noise is made by fans, saying, "We liked X2, but we REALLY want to see more Cyclops!"
