Two Summers ago "X-Men: First Class" hit theaters and people liked it. Going back further, "First Class" was originally spun off the idea of an "X-Men Origins: Magneto" movie. But I want to go even further.
Somewhere between 2003 and 2006 Bryan Singer decided to direct "Superman Returns" instead of the third X-Men film. This was very sad news for X-Men fans because he did such a wonderful job directing "X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United." And we all collectively thought, "at least Superman will be decent but who's gonna direct the next X-Men? They teased at Phoenix for heaven's sake!"
Enter Brett Ratner. You know him as "the Rush Hour guy." All he was known for at the time was "Rush Hour" and "Rush Hour 2." Sure, Rush Hour was good, but is this who we want for X-Men?
And then there's Matthew Vaughn who was also in contention for the director's chair but he ceded it to Brett. He comes in later.
And so, in 2006, we got "X-Men: The Last Stand," and, boy, was it awful. I don't think a single soul particularly enjoyed that movie. It made money, but only from first time viewers. I remember seeing it (once) with my friend, Forbes.
On top of being awful, the movie killed Professor Xavier and took away Magneto's powers. Rogue lost her powers as well (but no one cares).
At this point the only superhero movie Fox had in development was the ill-fated "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer." Fox had the rights to all of X-Men. They had plenty of ideas, but they only had the money to flesh out one at a time.
With the backing of Hugh Jackman, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" came through the pipe first. It was way better than X-Men 3, but people still didn't like it that much. And at this point what was going to be "X-Men Origins: Magneto" had pretty well morphed into "X-Men: First Class."
They were looking for a director for First Class. Bryan Singer decided to produce only and not direct as he had other commitments. The studio approached Matthew Vaughn (I told you he would come in later) and he accepted. We've been over this part; it came out and people liked it.
Everyone was wondering what would follow First Class. If I remember right, Matthew Vaughn was attached to return for a few months at least. I remember at one point the producers were toying with the idea of Magneto being involved with the Kennedy Assassination (and the 'magic bullet'). No doubt that would have been really cool, but it didn't happen (EDIT: it may still be included somehow, who am I to say it isn't?). What we're getting instead is much better.
In August of 2012 the official title was revealed: "X-Men: Days of Future Past." This is significant. This is reason number one I say this will be the movie event of 2014. Days of Future Past is a classic X-Men storyline from the comics that was also adapted in the cartoon show. Obviously it features time travel. It involves the X-Men of the future warning the X-Men of the past to make sure certain things don't happen.
Using the Days of Future Past storyline is a MASTERSTROKE from Fox. It is so brilliant. With it they can capitalize on ALL the X-Men movies so far. They don't even have to admit that the franchise was rebooted! They can pretend they did it on purpose!
Reason number two that this will be the movie event of 2014 came in October 2012 when Vaughn dropped out of directing and (drumroll please) BRYAN SINGER stepped in!!! The prodigal son had returned! The man behind the best two X-Men movies was back to do another one! Indeed this movie now had the midas touch of X-Men movies.
And then the cast notes started rolling out. Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Ellen Page, Daniel Cudmore, and two people named Fan Bingbing and BooBoo Stewart! Those last two are for real (along with the others of course).
Talk about loaded!
Note: Michael Fassbender as Magneto was by far the best thing about "X-Men: First Class." Ever since the idea of a young Magneto in film was first brought up everyone involved knew they would have to find a powerhouse actor to fill Ian McKellen's shoes. Fassbender pulled it off and then some.
The fact that both Xaviers and both Magnetos are in this movie - that fact alone is enough to get me really excited! Add to that Bryan Singer as director and the Days of Future Past storyline as a jumping off point and you have a real winner.
This one will rule 2014.
The one. The only. Big Shot Critic
