While hosting his own panel during a recent appearance New York City Comic Con, “Kingsman,” and Kick-Ass filmmaker Matthew Vaughn brought up why he opted out of the follow up and third chapter of the popular X-men movie franchise.
According to collider, Vaughn reflected on the project, when mentioning that he didn’t get enough time to prep the film properly, and further lamented on creative differences that became the final straw that broke the camel’s back sorta speak.
“I went into one of the executive’s office and I saw an X3 script, and I immediately knew it was a lot fatter. I was like what the hell is this draft.He went, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m the director. I’m worrying about this draft’. He wouldn’t tell me, so I grabbed it literally – it was like a crazy moment – opened the first page, and it said, ‘Africa. Storm. Kids dying of no water. She creates a thunderstorm and saves all these children.'”
When the exec told him that the draft would be “thrown in the bin” once Berry signs on, Vaughn thought to himself, “‘Wow, you’re gonna do that to an Oscar-winning actress who plays Storm? I’m outta here.’ So, I quit at that point.” Apparently, Vaughn thought it was a sign of disrespect for Halle Berry who played as storm Ororo Munroe from the previous Bryan Singer helmed films. Vaughn was immediately placed by Rush Hour’s Brett Ratner, and well, suffice to say, how the last stand was a complete clusterfuckerupper. However, several years later the filmmaker came back to Fox and directed the X-men prequel “First Class” which unlike X-3, was well received among critics and fans. That premise of Storm making it rain in Africa, while demonstrating her powers to help mankind, I can’t help but be reminded of Toto’s “ The Rains Down in Africa” Ugh!
Basset rendition courtesy of Whatculture.
Despite its monumental success, I have my problems with the original X-men prequel like Scott Summers being overshadowed by Wolverine and Halle Berry as Storm when it should have been Angela Bassett who appears to resemble Oruro more so than Berry. Then there’s Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman, crying in nearly all three movies, well at least Logan's tears was justified.
As for a Kick-Ass "reboot?' fine, but it’s not the same as the original movie was quirky, self-referential and full of funny moments thanks to Nicholas Cage parodying Adam west's Batman and Chloe Grace Moretz as the sadistic Hit Girl. That scene where she smiles at Dave while slaughtering drug dealers and the banana splits song playing as needle drop had us laughing hysterically in the theaters! A different beast with an irreplaceable charm.
Both Brett Ratner and Bryan Singer have been accused of sexual assault and have yet to stand trial.