What did Bryan Singer think of X3?

[Punisher RULES]

Has this ever popped up anywhere?

 

[X-Maniac]

I don't have the links but I recall that it was reported that when he saw the film, his reaction afterwards was that it was "astonishing" and he went on to say that what was achieved in the available time was incredible. The phrase "astonishing" has been given a positive spin by some and a negative connotation by others (that it was astonishing how bad it was).

During press interviews for Superman Returns, he was asked about returning to the X-franchise and joked that there hardly any of the cast still alive. He meant the characters, not the cast, though!

I doubt he'd be unprofessional enough to attack the film if he didn't like it. He is still involved with Fox, through the House show on TV.

Also, it's been said that Singer and Ratner are good friends and that Singer suggested Ratner's name to Fox when they were desperately searching for a director when Matthew Vaughn left.

 

[Cyma]

I clearly remember reading Singer saying ‘unbelievable’.

 

[The Original Bamfer]

I don't have the links but I recall that it was reported that when he saw the film, his reaction afterwards was that it was "astonishing" and he went on to say that what was achieved in the available time was incredible. The phrase "astonishing" has been given a positive spin by some and a negative connotation by others (that it was astonishing how bad it was).

During press interviews for Superman Returns, he was asked about returning to the X-franchise and joked that there hardly any of the cast still alive. He meant the characters, not the cast, though!

I doubt he'd be unprofessional enough to attack the film if he didn't like it. He is still involved with Fox, through the House show on TV.

Also, it's been said that Singer and Ratner are good friends and that Singer suggested Ratner's name to Fox when they were desperately searching for a director when Matthew Vaughn left.

You got it.

 

[X-Maniac]

I clearly remember reading Singer saying ‘unbelievable’.

That could have been the word. As it's a synonym, replace my 'astonishing' with 'unbelievable' and my original post still stands. Whether he meant unbelievably good or unbelievably bad is open to debate

 

[bullets]

i think the acting was good and that singer would of been satisfied with them keeping the tone of the first two films .

 

[X-Maniac]

Some more of Singer's ideas for X3 here:

http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2008/11/x3lit.html

I posted more in the thread about the X-Men book that is on here.

 

[Cyma]

I would've preferred Emma Frost manipulating Phoenix over Beast, Angel, Danger Room appearances.

 

[X-Maniac]

I would've preferred Emma Frost manipulating Phoenix over Beast, Angel, Danger Room appearances.

You couldn't have an entire movie of Frost manipulating Phoenix. There would need to be other things going on.

 

[Cyma]

I meant whatever Dougherty said about what Singer’s X3 would be like. I would prefer that over Danger Room, Beast, Angel, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Quill, Archlight, Multiple, Phat and other unknown mutants.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

If I'm not mistaken I could've sworn Singer stated he was going to film X3/X4 back to back with the Phoenix Saga and Dark Phoenix Saga along with the Hellfire Club being included.

Of course it's all speculation at this point. I don't even think he had a script for X3 done. He just had a few ideas and concepts saved into his computer.

 

[Andreth]

She's a great actress, but ...Sigourney Weaver as Emma Frost?


Ok...

 

[I Am The Knight]

She's a great actress, but ...Sigourney Weaver as Emma Frost?


Ok...

I always liked the idea a lot, actually.

 

[gap5ewl]

I always liked the idea a lot, actually.

Yeah me too. I thaught it would add much more substance to Emma instead of making her a young, overexposed ****e like she is in the comics. It would've been nice to see her as an older person (perhaps she could be struggling with aging and trying too hard to stay youthful) who had kind of ruthless businesswoman persona and had a relationship with Xavier..kind of similar to her ultimate version. I think Sigourney would've done a terrific job.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

One thing is for sure, Singer's X3 would have been a FAR better movie than the absolute garbage we ultimately ended up with, its just shame it'll never be made. But its nice to see their ideas, just reading those ideas was better than watching X3 for me.

 

[X-Maniac]

One thing is for sure, Singer's X3 would have been a FAR better movie than the absolute garbage we ultimately ended up with, its just shame it'll never be made. But its nice to see their ideas, just reading those ideas was better than watching X3 for me.

Well, Singer should have made a deal to stay and do X3 then. He asked for far too much, so the negotiations stalled. Then he got what he wanted from WB only to show that all that money and freedom isn't necessarily a good thing, as it produced an underperforming movie with a divided fanbase.

I do not agree, of course, that X3 was 'absolute garbage'. That sounds like the mad frothing of one of this site's silly fanboys who works in Burger King and spends too much time on their XBox. X3 had some superb moments - the battle at Jean's parents' house, the moving of the GG bridge, the X-men arriving at Alcatraz, the climactic scenes on Alcatraz. All wonderfully cinematic. Plus a great story idea with socio-political relevance. And you'll never convince me otherwise. It's interesting to see the reviews on sites like RT and what those sites disliked - i don't recall the critics complaining about the cure storyline, or even Rogue being cured, I don't recall them complaining about the lack of a firebird or about Storm being too harsh or Xavier being too unsympathetic, or about Jean joining Magneto. Those are 'fanboi' complaints for the most part so we have to have some perspective here.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Well, Singer should have made a deal to stay and do X3 then. He asked for far too much, so the negotiations stalled. Then he got what he wanted from WB only to show that all that money and freedom isn't necessarily a good thing, as it produced an underperforming movie with a divided fanbase.

Were did you get it from that Singer asked for far too much? And he left because Fox treated him like **** for the first 2 movies so I dont blame him for leaving, never have, never will. Saying that though, another, better, director could easily have made a movie that wasnt 'absolute garbage.'

I do not agree, of course, that X3 was 'absolute garbage'. That sounds like the mad frothing of one of this site's silly fanboys who works in Burger King and spends too much time on their XBox.

Ha ha ha ha, this comment is just so typical of you, you cant help but try and offend people with you comments can you, you just like to assume so much. Well I dont work and Burge King, though I like their food, and I dont own an X-Box as I havent played video game since i was 16. Wrong again X-M.

X3 had some superb moments - the battle at Jean's parents' house, the moving of the GG bridge, the X-men arriving at Alcatraz, the climactic scenes on Alcatraz. All wonderfully cinematic. Plus a great story idea with socio-political relevance. And you'll never convince me otherwise. It's interesting to see the reviews on sites like RT and what those sites disliked - i don't recall the critics complaining about the cure storyline, or even Rogue being cured, I don't recall them complaining about the lack of a firebird or about Storm being too harsh or Xavier being too unsympathetic, or about Jean joining Magneto. Those are 'fanboi' complaints for the most part so we have to have some perspective here.

X3 didnt have any superb moments, the Jean/Prof X got the closest to being that, but the characters had become so unlikable it just didnt mean anything. The whole Alcatraz scene was just a shambles that made Magneto look like an idiot who didnt have a clue. Its a shame, the movie had some good ideas, but they were executed in possibly the worst way they could have been. There your perspective for you.

 

[X-Maniac]

Were did you get it from that Singer asked for far too much? And he left because Fox treated him like **** for the first 2 movies so I dont blame him for leaving, never have, never will. Saying that though, another, better, director could easily have made a movie that wasnt 'absolute garbage.'

You don't know the whole story. He didn't leave for those reasons at all. He became interested in doing a Superman film during the production of X2 (at that time another Superman project was in development). He signed a deal with Fox after that, which included X3, but the negotiations reached a stalemate - first he became interested in Logan's Run, then when the director's chair on a Superman movie became available he leapt at it.

While Fox is far from perfect, he did sign a 'first look' picture deal with them in December 2003 so he can't have been that fed up or he would have moved on directly after X2.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about, you don't have all the facts and you never will.

Ha ha ha ha, this comment is just so typical of you, you cant help but try and offend people with you comments can you, you just like to assume so much. Well I dont work and Burge King, though I like their food, and I dont own an X-Box as I havent played video game since i was 16. Wrong again X-M.

I never said you did, but you behave as though you are one of those people sometimes.

X3 didnt have any superb moments, the Jean/Prof X got the closest to being that, but the characters had become so unlikable it just didnt mean anything. The whole Alcatraz scene was just a shambles that made Magneto look like an idiot who didnt have a clue. Its a shame, the movie had some good ideas, but they were executed in possibly the worst way they could have been. There your perspective for you.

No, that's your perspective. Or lack of it!

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

You don't know the whole story. He didn't leave for those reasons at all. He became interested in doing a Superman film during the production of X2 (at that time another Superman project was in development). He signed a deal with Fox after that, which included X3, but the negotiations reached a stalemate - first he became interested in Logan's Run, then when the director's chair on a Superman movie became available he leapt at it.

While Fox is far from perfect, he did sign a 'first look' picture deal with them in December 2003 so he can't have been that fed up or he would have moved on directly after X2.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about, you don't have all the facts and you never will.

I never said you did, but you behave as though you are one of those people sometimes.





No, that's your perspective. Or lack of it!

Oh my god how pathtically sore can you BE over the fact I didnt like the movie, honestly this is pathetic. You want to look about how YOU act sometimes, you are like a spoilt kid who goes mad because no one likes what he likes. Honestly grow up, sad act.

I never said these views were anything but my perspective, ha ha pathetic.

 

[X-Maniac]

Oh my god how pathtically sore can you BE over the fact I didnt like the movie, honestly this is pathetic. You want to look about how YOU act sometimes, you are like a spoilt kid who goes mad because no one likes what he likes. Honestly grow up, sad act.

I never said these views were anything but my perspective, ha ha pathetic.

You miss the point. I am absolutely NOT the spoiled kid here, as I got a film I enjoyed and am not among the people constantly stamping their little feet and having baby tantrums over it as though their feeble voices have any power over the world. No one can hear you in your bedrooms, fanboys!

I just watched it today again on Blu-ray and I wondered what all the fuss was about on here. It's a terrific movie. Any groans about comparisons with comics can be dismissed as the previous two films also deviated from the comics and cartoons. Since when was Iceman a young student in class with Pyro and a whiny Rogue? Mystique had one line of dialogue in X1. Sabretooth looked like a heavy-metal fan, Magneto was nothing like the comics, neither was Storm. If you can accept all that, then the changes in X3 are no reason to whinge.

X3 does have some weak moments, I counted about five different things I didn't like, but overall it's a great fantasy action movie that brings closure to the trilogy, as they intended. I'd rather the series had continued, but as they intended closure, then I have to judge as to whether it achieved that, and it did.

I always want more X-Men - and I wish some of those deleted scenes were included - but overall it's a great film. It just upset fans, even though Rogue was still whiny and weak in the previous two movies and even though Cyclops was elbowed aside in X1 and X2. Why expect those characters to be transformed in X3? That's an unrealistic burden to put on the writers and director of the third film. Were they suddenly supposed to introduce Ms Marvel, have her powers switched to Rogue and then get Rogue flying about all over the place punching through skyscrapers. I hardly think so.

Those people who scream expletives over hating X3 need to move on and get a life rather than treading water in the same spot for years on end.

I'm off to watch X3 again. t:

 

[[A]]

During press interviews for Superman Returns, he was asked about returning to the X-franchise and joked that there hardly any of the cast still alive. He meant the characters, not the cast, though!

haha good one

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

You miss the point. I am absolutely NOT the spoiled kid here, as I got a film I enjoyed and am not among the people constantly stamping their little feet and having baby tantrums over it as though their feeble voices have any power over the world. No one can hear you in your bedrooms, fanboys!

It doesnt look like you arent the spoilt one from I am sitting, you cant defend this movie without saying an insultin comment and calling the person you are respsonded some name all because they didnt like the same ****ing movie you did. I havent missed any point my friend, you behaviour speaks to itself.

I just watched it today again on Blu-ray and I wondered what all the fuss was about on here. It's a terrific movie. Any groans about comparisons with comics can be dismissed as the previous two films also deviated from the comics and cartoons. Since when was Iceman a young student in class with Pyro and a whiny Rogue? Mystique had one line of dialogue in X1. Sabretooth looked like a heavy-metal fan, Magneto was nothing like the comics, neither was Storm. If you can accept all that, then the changes in X3 are no reason to whinge.

A terrific movie? Yeah, it was so terrific that it was hated by most fans and many critics, and you say I need perspective? Honestly.

X3 does have some weak moments, I counted about five different things I didn't like, but overall it's a great fantasy action movie that brings closure to the trilogy, as they intended. I'd rather the series had continued, but as they intended closure, then I have to judge as to whether it achieved that, and it did.

I always want more X-Men - and I wish some of those deleted scenes were included - but overall it's a great film. It just upset fans, even though Rogue was still whiny and weak in the previous two movies and even though Cyclops was elbowed aside in X1 and X2. Why expect those characters to be transformed in X3? That's an unrealistic burden to put on the writers and director of the third film. Were they suddenly supposed to introduce Ms Marvel, have her powers switched to Rogue and then get Rogue flying about all over the place punching through skyscrapers. I hardly think so.

Honestly, this just shows how you like to rant about things that NO one has ever complained about, people didnt like X3 because Rogue didnt have Ms Marvel's powers, they hated it because it was a poor film that wasnt faithful to the comics/cartoons and that ultimately left the majority of fans completely unsatisfied.

Cyclops had a big role in X1 so I dont see how exactly he was elbowed aside and in X2, when he wasnt on screen he wasnt simply forgotten like he was in X3, and he was all set up for a bigger role in the 3rd movie.

Those people who scream expletives over hating X3 need to move on and get a life rather than treading water in the same spot for years on end.
I'm off to watch X3 again. t:

Thats funny because here you are treading the same water defending the movie and taking offense when people criticise it, also, dont you still visit the Superman boards complaining about SR. Get a life indeed. You are unbelievably hypocritical, no change there then.

 

[X-Maniac]

A terrific movie? Yeah, it was so terrific that it was hated by most fans and many critics, and you say I need perspective? Honestly.

Most fans? Can you prove this?

'Hated' by many critics? Some disliked it, for sure.

Honestly, this just shows how you like to rant about things that NO one has ever complained about, people didnt like X3 because Rogue didnt have Ms Marvel's powers, they hated it because it was a poor film that wasnt faithful to the comics/cartoons and that ultimately left the majority of fans completely unsatisfied.

Faithfulness to the comics and cartoons is more or less irrelevant when it's the third movie because X1 and X2 set up many of the things that were not 'faithful'. Singer made changes that he believed they would work on film. He made Iceman a young student (compared with Storm, Jean and Cyclops) who was in class with Pyro - that never happened in the comics or cartoons.

In the comics, Jean was never a doctor, Magneto was a well-built strikingly handsome man (with an Eastern European accent in the cartoons), Storm was a very tall and very strong-minded 'goddess', Sabretooth wasn't a heavy-metal lookalike in a fur coat, Rogue was a sassy Southern spitfire with powers of strength and flight, Colossus was a soulful Russian of the same X-Men generation as Storm, Nighcrawler was never a mind-controlled assassin - he also joined the team with Storm and Colossus. Where in the movies was Banshee, Sunfire, Thunderbird, who joined with Storm and Colossus?

See what I mean about 'faithfulness'?

Fans complained of several of those portrayals on here before, during and after the release of X1 and X2. To expect X3 to correct those things is ridiculous. It doesn't matter, for instance, that Angel wasn't an original X-Men member if Iceman already wasn't, it doesn't matter if Callisto had Caliban's mutant-sensing power if Beast's medical/geneticist skills had already been added to Jean Grey. Characters were changed, things were combined, to make the films work.

The test for these things, whether they worked on screen, is really what a NON-comicbook reader thinks.

Cyclops had a big role in X1 so I dont see how exactly he was elbowed aside and in X2, when he wasnt on screen he wasnt simply forgotten like he was in X3, and he was all set up for a bigger role in the 3rd movie.

I don't think he was 'set up' for anything in X2 and, even if he was, Singer left and took Marsden with him. So there was a fat chance of Marsden having more screentime in X3.

I can see exactly why they did what they did in X3. You couldn't have Scott's funeral held at the same time as that of Xavier - that's not how funerals work and, in any case, Xavier was probably internationally known so he warranted a large funeral.

Unlike Xavier, Cyclops wasn't a known figurehead for peace, tolerace and integration - but Scott did have a gravestone at the end of the film so we can assume there would have been a service for him and also for Jean Grey. We don't have to see everything, but the headstones indicate a service was more than likely held.

I've read the comics since the 70s and I can accept the changes that were made for these films to make them work as films. I enjoyed seeing some of the changes - the way Phoenix's powers worked in X3 for instance was, I thought, original and logical and grounded. Even without the firebird, I felt it generally worked - there were Phoenix hints in her outstretched arms at the house and the final Alcatraz scene where he hair is lit up as though ablaze, and there were fires burning behind her in the background.

Thats funny because here you are treading the same water defending the movie and taking offense when people criticise it, also, dont you still visit the Superman boards complaining about SR. Get a life indeed. You are unbelievably hypocritical, no change there then.

I don't take offence (why are you using the US spelling if you are from Liverpool?). But I think people - on here especially - tend to get very silly and obsessive and find things to get angry about. It's easy to fall into negativity. I like to step back from that and be more realistic and i rewatch things to make sure i keep perspective because haters tend to have distorted memories. They also tend to twist facts such as making it sound like Bryan Singer was driven from Fox. He wasn't. He signed for X3 after he finished X2 - he had plenty of chance to sever his ties and move on, but he didn't. Then, many months later, a dream project was offered, and he couldn't resist.

I do indeed visit the SR boards because there is going to be another Superman movie so there is chance to talk, speculate, say what should happen. (I don't hate SR, i found it somewhat disappointing and bit of a misjudgement, but I can still watch it). Conversely, there is no sequel to X3 (unfortunately), which is why these forums often have tumbleweed blowing through them!

By the way, I do own SR (as part of the Ultimate Collection, sent to me for free at work) and I also bought it on a cheap Blu-ray (haven't watched it yet), so I feel very glad I am not some hateful bedroom fanboy.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

He signed a deal with Fox after that, which included X3, but the negotiations reached a stalemate - first he became interested in Logan's Run, then when the director's chair on a Superman movie became available he leapt at it.

At no point was Singer ever contracted for X3.

The first look deal that Singer's production company signed with FOX back then didn't include X3.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/536/536563p1.html

X-Men 3 Fallout
Singer & Fox's divorce now official.
by Stax

August 6, 2004 - The Hollywood Reporter and Variety report that director Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox have officially parted company. The X-Men director recently agreed to helm Superman for rival Warner Brothers, despite his production company Bad Hat Harry having a two-year deal with Fox.

Although Fox and Singer had been in talks about him returning to direct X-Men 3, the deal was never sealed. It should be noted that X-Men 3 was not part of Singer's overall deal with Fox.

Singer is now based on the WB lot where, in addition to Superman, he's also developing a remake of Logan's Run. Although THR said Singer hadn't yet signed an overall deal with Warners, Variety contradicts this. The trade claims the "Warner deal is not an expensive one, because Singer only develops projects he plans on shooting and is not the sort of producer who develops numerous projects or demands a hefty discretionary fund."

Variety adds that, for now, "who will direct X3 for Fox remains unclear, as does its potential start date. Insiders say Singer would be happy to be involved with the pic even if only as a producer, but the ball is in Fox's court."

For what it's worth, a recent fan poll at Cinescape Online named Joss Whedon the favorite to replace Singer as director of the next Marvel mutant movie. X-Men 3 was slated for a May 3, 2006 release.

 

[chaseter]

I bet after the fail that SR was, Singer wishes he would have stayed on with X3 to complete his vision. I know we wished that