X-Men: First Class Review Thread (Spoilers)

[GreenScar]

Here's an interesting rumor. I had never heard of this series, maybe some of you have?

An interesting listing at Production Weekly caught our eye - "X-Men: First Class." Could 20th Century Fox be developing a movie based on the series written by Jeff Parker and pencilled by Roger Cruz? Or are they using the title of that comic for their proposed Young X-Men spin-off?

What makes it even more interesting is that X-MenFirstClass.com redirects to FoxMovies.com.

The "X-Men: First Class" was an eight-issue mini-series published from September of 2006 through April of 2007. As Special was also released in May of 2007 followed by a monthly series that started in 2007 with the same creative team. The comic is described as follows:

For millions of years, mankind's place on Earth was unchallenged – until five young people paved the way for a new kind of human. While students at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman taught the world what it meant to be X-Men. These are the hidden stories of the team that laid the foundation of a mutant dynasty!

[EvanX]

They have hinted at doing a "Young X-Men" movie for a long time. So, I believe it.

[Lucy Diamond]

Sounds interesting enough.

I've been out of comics for so long now...I wonder if that mini-series is still available??

[fighthefutureofhd]

yes it is. back issues are always around. and the monthly series is still around and doing good. i even think there is a wolverine one now as well.

[GreenScar]

Source

Oh no, it begins! Fox is officially moving forward with an X-Men spin-off titled X-Men: First Class. Here's where it gets bad - "Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz is writing the screenplay. He was also offered the chance to direct, but (thankfully) declined. Not only did Schwartz create "Gossip Girl", but he also created "The O.C." and "Chuck". Fox won't reveal any more details about the spin-off, but we can be sure it'll focus on some youngsters at the Xavier Institute. This isn't actually the first time we've heard about this - Schwartz mentioned it in an interview way back in May. However, it looks like Fox has decided to greenlight ideas like this in order to be more successful in the future since they had such a bad summer.

No director for X-Men: First Class has been chosen since Schwartz declined. The only chance that this has to potentially end up any good is if a strong director comes on board. But I'm fearing even that won't help it (or could even hurt it). Fox also mentions that they're continuing development on the Magneto spin-off and Deadpool spin-off, with no official plans for either at the moment. Besides X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I think X-Men: First Class is the next X-Men movie we're going to see for a while. If you need any further proof that bringing on Schwartz was a terrible idea, just go back and read some of his quotes from the interview in May. He talks about how bad he thought The Incredible Hulk looked and mentioned that "it's not like I'm adding new characters like Toaster Head." I'm getting a headache just writing about this!

[Kaixa]

Well, i never did like any of the X-men movies so i probably wont bother with this one. I hated X-men Evolution.

[J_UNTITLED]

From Variety...

"Twentieth Century Fox is gearing up to continue its "X-Men" franchise with a younger set of mutants.

Studio has tapped "Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz to write "X-Men: First Class."

Schwartz, the creator and exec producer of CW's teen sudser hit as well as Fox's youth-centric "The OC" and NBC's "Chuck," is expected to inject a next-gen sensibility into the superhero series, which has earned $1.2 billion worldwide.

Writing assignment has also included the possibility of directing the pic, but so far Schwartz has opted not to take the helm.

Lauren Shuler Donner, who produced all three "X-Men" pics, as well as next summer's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," is producing "First Class" alongside "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" scribe Simon Kinberg.

Fox is keeping quiet on plans and declined to confirm details of the project. The studio has been considering ways to continue its successful series of "X-Men" movies after the third installment, the Brett Ratner-helmed "X-Men: The Last Stand," collected $459 million in 2006.

Fox has been leaning toward using the younger characters introduced in the previous pics in future installments -- teenagers with powers taught at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.

Resulting film would likely draw from elements of the Marvel comic of the same name, launched in 2006, and enlist such characters as Iceman, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Jubilee and Shadowcat, who have appeared prominently or made cameos in prior pics.

Given Hollywood's penchant for reboots with new actors playing familiar roles, pic could also reintroduce characters. Comicbook revolves around the Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman, Angel and Professor X.

Naturally, "First Class" could also result in its own series of sequels.

Pic joins other "X-Men"-related projects already in the works at the studio. Fox is actively developing a standalone "Magneto" pic, as well as considering a "Deadpool" spinoff, based on a character played by Ryan Reynolds in "Wolverine." Shuler Donner is producing "Magneto."

Regular slate of "X-Men" pics would provide Fox with a reliable series of movies that perform at the B.O. and not repeat a dismal summer sesh like the studio experienced this year.

Although Schwartz has enjoyed smallscreen success, he has yet to crack the world of film with a significant project. He wrote and is attached to direct the coming-of-age comedy "Looking for Alaska" for Paramount.

Tackling a new "X-Men" installment will likely give Schwartz instant credibility within the studio world."

[Red Hood]

Fox is the reason I no longer care for the x-men.

[Moefiz]

Why would Fox just hand over the X-Men franchise .

I personally don't care about the New Mutants...give me the original X-men

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by Pyre

Fox is the reason I no longer care for the x-men.

Not that I think Fox nor Bryan Singer and Co. translated "X-Men" anywhere near definitively or as best as it could have been, what don't you care for about the previous films in particular? I personally liked the first one, found the second to be okay and the third while undeniably entertaining in parts the least satisfactory of them all.

Originally Posted by Moefiz

I personally don't care about the New Mutants...give me the original X-men

Well, if they decide to adhere closely to the actual comic series, it will be dealing with THE ORIGINAL X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl (who has never been in a live-action film before), Beast, Iceman and Angel.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Well, if they decide to adhere closely to the actual comic series, it will be dealing with THE ORIGINAL X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl (who has never been in a live-action film before), Beast, Iceman and Angel.

Specifically, back when they were all high-school teens (and, presumably, could be cast with cheaper new actors).

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Specifically, back when they were all high-school teens (and, presumably, could be cast with cheaper new actors).

All I can say is: sign Joss Whedon as director-in-chief and I'll then be interested.

[DeeChizzle]

If this is what it takes to get the first two X-Men movies on blu-ray then I say go for it.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by Moefiz

Why would Fox just hand over the X-Men franchise .

I personally don't care about the New Mutants...give me the original X-men

i would kill for a new mutants movie. i think some of the new mutants comic were better than the original x-men. i'd even kill to see an excalibur movie. i actually like a lot of the other x-comics and x-teams more than i do the x-men.

[bajor27]

X-men: First Class is one of my favorite comics I'm currently reading. I would hope that the movie is based on that (staring the original 5 x-men and full of comedy)

I could see Josh Schwartz actually being a fairly good match for First Class.

[ADRiiAN`]

Great.
X-Men is going to be turned into Gossip Girls/O.C type of show.

[raven1138]

This made me throw up a little...

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

Great.
X-Men is going to be turned into Gossip Girls/O.C type of show.

they won't do that. too many fans would hang fox for it. fox's not that stupid. i have faith they'll do right by this movie if it's made.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by fighthefutureofhd

they won't do that. too many fans would hang fox for it. fox's not that stupid. i have faith they'll do right by this movie if it's made.

George Lucas is that stupid. Not saying Fox will be, but you can't put it past people these days.

[Red Hood]

I haven't read first class, wolverine isn't in it is he?