On June 1, 2000, Marvel published a comic book prequel to X-Men, entitled X-Men: Beginnings, revealing the back stories of Magneto, Rogue and Wolverine. There was also a comic book adaptation based on the film.Marvel Studios was depending on X-Men's success to ignite other franchise properties (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Hulk and Daredevil).X-Men was released in 3,025 theaters in North America on July 14, 2000, earning $54,471,475 in its opening weekend. The film eventually grossed $157,299,717 and made $139,039,810 in other countries, coming to a worldwide total of $296,339,527. X-Men was the ninth highest-grossing film of 2000. The film made over $50 million in home video sales. The success of X-Men (alongside Blade) started a reemergence for the comic book and superhero film genre.
Monday, October 19, 2009
X-men Casting
Many actors were considered for roles in the film particularly Wolverine and Cyclops.
Patrick Stewart was the first and only choice for the role of Charles Xavier since his debut in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Terrence Stamp was in the running for the role of Magneto before Sir Ian McKellen was cast.
For the role of Wolverine, Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Viggo Mortensen, Aaron Eckhart, Edward Norton and Jean Claude Van Damme were all considered for the role. At one point in the 1990s, Glenn Danzig was approached to play Wolverine in ad hoc committee X-Men film, because he bore an uncanny resemblance to the character, as well as being the same height as Wolverine, and very muscular. However, he had to decline, due to the fact that the shooting for the film would force him to put a halt to touring with his band for nine months.. Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine. But he was forced to pull out the project due to scheduling conflicts with Mission:Impossible II. Fox on the other hand wanted Keanu Reeves for the part.
For the role of Cyclops, Thomas Jane, Johnny Lee Miller, Eric Mabius, Owen Wilson, Edward Burns, Edward Norton and Jude Law were considered. Michael Biehn was at one point considered for the role back in 1989 when James Cameron was developing it. James Caviezel was originally cast but pulled out before filming began. Wrestler Kevin Nash was offered the role of Sabretooth but he turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts. Sarah Michelle Geller, Natalie Portman and Katharine Isabelle were considered for the role of Rogue. Angela Bassett was offered the role of Storm but she turned it down. Jada Pinkett Smith and Rachel Luttrell were considered for the role. Jeri Ryan and Maria Bello were considered for the role of Jean Gray.
Patrick Stewart was the first and only choice for the role of Charles Xavier since his debut in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Terrence Stamp was in the running for the role of Magneto before Sir Ian McKellen was cast.
For the role of Wolverine, Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Viggo Mortensen, Aaron Eckhart, Edward Norton and Jean Claude Van Damme were all considered for the role. At one point in the 1990s, Glenn Danzig was approached to play Wolverine in ad hoc committee X-Men film, because he bore an uncanny resemblance to the character, as well as being the same height as Wolverine, and very muscular. However, he had to decline, due to the fact that the shooting for the film would force him to put a halt to touring with his band for nine months.. Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine. But he was forced to pull out the project due to scheduling conflicts with Mission:Impossible II. Fox on the other hand wanted Keanu Reeves for the part.
For the role of Cyclops, Thomas Jane, Johnny Lee Miller, Eric Mabius, Owen Wilson, Edward Burns, Edward Norton and Jude Law were considered. Michael Biehn was at one point considered for the role back in 1989 when James Cameron was developing it. James Caviezel was originally cast but pulled out before filming began. Wrestler Kevin Nash was offered the role of Sabretooth but he turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts. Sarah Michelle Geller, Natalie Portman and Katharine Isabelle were considered for the role of Rogue. Angela Bassett was offered the role of Storm but she turned it down. Jada Pinkett Smith and Rachel Luttrell were considered for the role. Jeri Ryan and Maria Bello were considered for the role of Jean Gray.
X-men 1:How it came to launch Marvel's movie career
Throughout 1989 and 1990, Stan Lee and Chris Claremont were in discussions with James Cameron and Carolco Pictures for an X-Men film adaptation. The deal fell apart when Cameron went to work on Spider-Man, Carolco went bankrupt, and the film rights reverted to Marvel Studios. In December 1992, Marvel discussed selling the property to Columbia Pictures to no avail. Meanwhile, Avi Arad produced the animated X-Men TV series for Fox Kids. 20th Century Fox was impressed by the success of the TV show, and producer Lauren Shuler Donner purchased the film rights for them in 1994.
Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write the script in early 1994. Walker's draft involved Professor Xavier hiring Wolverine into the X-Men, which consists of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, and Angel. The Brotherhood of Mutants, which consisted of Magneto, Sabretooth, Toad, and the Blob, try to conquer New York City, while Henry Peter Gyrich and Bolivar Trask attack the X-Men with three 8 feet (2.4 m) tall Sentinels. The script focused on the rivalry between Wolverine and Cyclops, as well as the latter's self-doubt as a field leader. Part of the backstory invented for Magneto made him the cause of the Chernobyl disaster. The script also featured the X-Copter and the Danger Room. Walker turned in his second draft in June 1994.
More scripts were written by John Logan, James Schamus, and Joss Whedon. Whedon claimed his script was rejected because of its "quick-witted pop culture-referencing tone" Only two dialogue exchanges from his draft appeared in the finished film. One of these scripts kept the idea of Magneto turning Manhattan into a "mutant homeland", while another hinged on a romance between Wolverine and Storm.[6] In 1996, Fox approached Michael Chabon to write a script. Chabon's six-page film treatment focused heavily on character development between Wolverine and Jubilee. It also included Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Beast, Iceman, and Storm. Under Chabon's plan, the villains would not have been introduced until the second film.
Robert Rodriguez was approached to direct, but turned down the offer. Bryan Singer was looking to do a science fiction film after the release of The Usual Suspects. Fox approached Singer for Alien Resurrection, but producer Tom DeSanto felt X-Men would be a better opportunity as he was impressed with how Singer directed an ensemble cast in The Usual Suspects.[4] Singer turned down the offer, believing that comic books were unintelligent literature. By July 1996, Singer had further turned down the film another two times, and finally accepted after reading the comics and watching the animated series.The themes of prejudice in the comic resonated with Singer.
By December 1996, Singer was in the director's position, while Ed Solomon was hired to write the script in April 1997, and Singer went to film Apt Pupil. Fox then announced a Christmas 1998 release date.[13][14] In late 1997, the budget was projected at $60 million. In late 1998, Singer and DeSanto sent a treatment to Fox, which they believed was "perfect" because it took "seriously" the themes and the comparisons between Xavier and Magneto and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, unlike the other scripts. They made Rogue an important character because Singer recognized that her mutation, which renders her unable to touch anyone, was the most symbolic of alienation. Singer merged attributes of Kitty Pryde and Jubilee into the film's depiction of Rogue. Magneto's plot to mutate the world leaders into accepting his people is reminiscent of how Constantine I's conversion to Christianity ended the persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire; the analogy was emphasized in a deleted scene in which Storm teaches history. Senator Kelly's claim that he has a list of mutants living in the United States recalls Joseph McCarthy's similar claim regarding communists.
Fox, who had projected the budget at $75 million, rejected the treatment, which they estimated it would have cost $5 million more. Beast, Nightcrawler, Pyro, and the Danger Room had to be deleted before the studio greenlighted X-Men. Fox head Thomas Rothman argued that this would enhance the story, and Singer concurred that removing the Danger Room allowed him to focus on other scenes he preferred. Elements of Beast, particularly his medical expertise, were transferred to Jean Grey.Singer and DeSanto brought Christopher McQuarrie from The Usual Suspects, and together did another rewrite. David Hayter simultaneously rewrote the screenplay, receiving solo screenplay credit from the Writers Guild of America, while Singer and DeSanto were given story credit.[6] The WGA offered McQuarrie a credit, but he voluntarily took his name off when the final version was more in line with Hayter's script than his.
Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write the script in early 1994. Walker's draft involved Professor Xavier hiring Wolverine into the X-Men, which consists of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, and Angel. The Brotherhood of Mutants, which consisted of Magneto, Sabretooth, Toad, and the Blob, try to conquer New York City, while Henry Peter Gyrich and Bolivar Trask attack the X-Men with three 8 feet (2.4 m) tall Sentinels. The script focused on the rivalry between Wolverine and Cyclops, as well as the latter's self-doubt as a field leader. Part of the backstory invented for Magneto made him the cause of the Chernobyl disaster. The script also featured the X-Copter and the Danger Room. Walker turned in his second draft in June 1994.
More scripts were written by John Logan, James Schamus, and Joss Whedon. Whedon claimed his script was rejected because of its "quick-witted pop culture-referencing tone" Only two dialogue exchanges from his draft appeared in the finished film. One of these scripts kept the idea of Magneto turning Manhattan into a "mutant homeland", while another hinged on a romance between Wolverine and Storm.[6] In 1996, Fox approached Michael Chabon to write a script. Chabon's six-page film treatment focused heavily on character development between Wolverine and Jubilee. It also included Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Beast, Iceman, and Storm. Under Chabon's plan, the villains would not have been introduced until the second film.
Robert Rodriguez was approached to direct, but turned down the offer. Bryan Singer was looking to do a science fiction film after the release of The Usual Suspects. Fox approached Singer for Alien Resurrection, but producer Tom DeSanto felt X-Men would be a better opportunity as he was impressed with how Singer directed an ensemble cast in The Usual Suspects.[4] Singer turned down the offer, believing that comic books were unintelligent literature. By July 1996, Singer had further turned down the film another two times, and finally accepted after reading the comics and watching the animated series.The themes of prejudice in the comic resonated with Singer.
By December 1996, Singer was in the director's position, while Ed Solomon was hired to write the script in April 1997, and Singer went to film Apt Pupil. Fox then announced a Christmas 1998 release date.[13][14] In late 1997, the budget was projected at $60 million. In late 1998, Singer and DeSanto sent a treatment to Fox, which they believed was "perfect" because it took "seriously" the themes and the comparisons between Xavier and Magneto and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, unlike the other scripts. They made Rogue an important character because Singer recognized that her mutation, which renders her unable to touch anyone, was the most symbolic of alienation. Singer merged attributes of Kitty Pryde and Jubilee into the film's depiction of Rogue. Magneto's plot to mutate the world leaders into accepting his people is reminiscent of how Constantine I's conversion to Christianity ended the persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire; the analogy was emphasized in a deleted scene in which Storm teaches history. Senator Kelly's claim that he has a list of mutants living in the United States recalls Joseph McCarthy's similar claim regarding communists.
Fox, who had projected the budget at $75 million, rejected the treatment, which they estimated it would have cost $5 million more. Beast, Nightcrawler, Pyro, and the Danger Room had to be deleted before the studio greenlighted X-Men. Fox head Thomas Rothman argued that this would enhance the story, and Singer concurred that removing the Danger Room allowed him to focus on other scenes he preferred. Elements of Beast, particularly his medical expertise, were transferred to Jean Grey.Singer and DeSanto brought Christopher McQuarrie from The Usual Suspects, and together did another rewrite. David Hayter simultaneously rewrote the screenplay, receiving solo screenplay credit from the Writers Guild of America, while Singer and DeSanto were given story credit.[6] The WGA offered McQuarrie a credit, but he voluntarily took his name off when the final version was more in line with Hayter's script than his.
Spider-man:The animated series and censorship.
In 1994, Marvel created a Spider-man cartoon for the then-emerging tv network FOX. Fox had prior success with DC's Batman and was looking for another show to help cement their status as the network for kids to watch TV. So naturally, FOX turned to Marvel to develop a show based on one the most popular characters in their stable.
Unfortunately, during that time parents groups and the clinton adminstration had cracked down on children's programing and required that the violence and action be toned down. This is a list of some of the things the show was prevented from showing:
Unfortunately, during that time parents groups and the clinton adminstration had cracked down on children's programing and required that the violence and action be toned down. This is a list of some of the things the show was prevented from showing:
Not mentioning "death", "die", "dead" or "kill"
Not using realistic weapons
Spider-Man was not allowed to hit anyone with his fist
No crashing glass was allowed.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The rebirth of Marvel
With marvel emerging out of bankruptcy and a new owner for the company. Marvel looked to a re-emergence of talent and new movies to cement their second chance. Marvel used emergence technologies like the internet to circulate their content. Exploring digital comics and videos to draw in viewers.
Since the 2000's, Marvel's movies have finally taken center stage. The film Iron Man made over 100 million dollars during its opening weekend. The film ranked 10th largest opening of all time and fourth largest opening for a film based on a comic book. Another rendition of Hulk was released a month later.
This allowed Marvel to explore more forms of entertainment. A new animated series entitled Wolverine and the X-Men was released in the fall of 2008. Film director John Singleton, known for dramas such as Boyz N tha Hood and Higher Learning, plans to produce films featuring the Black Panther and Luck Cage. A film featuring Wolverine was released as well as three Spider-Man movies and three X-men movies.
Since the 2000's, Marvel's movies have finally taken center stage. The film Iron Man made over 100 million dollars during its opening weekend. The film ranked 10th largest opening of all time and fourth largest opening for a film based on a comic book. Another rendition of Hulk was released a month later.
This allowed Marvel to explore more forms of entertainment. A new animated series entitled Wolverine and the X-Men was released in the fall of 2008. Film director John Singleton, known for dramas such as Boyz N tha Hood and Higher Learning, plans to produce films featuring the Black Panther and Luck Cage. A film featuring Wolverine was released as well as three Spider-Man movies and three X-men movies.
The near demise of Marvel
Marvel Comics was bought by New World Entertainment in 1986, putting the company in the hands of Ronald Perelman. The Revlon executive took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange. The positive effect of this was that more Marvel Comics series were coming out and even a few films had come out (direct to video and TV). The downside was that part of the money used for this came from junk bonds Perleman issued. Unfortunately, Perleman’s unsavory reputation was based on this practice and would definitely contribute to Marvel’s demise.
Throughout the industry, comic distributors were in harsh competition. Marvel Comics as well as many other companies had their own distribution channels. By the end of this struggle, Diamond Distributor’s emerged as the one major channel for comic distribution. This distribution struggle along with crossovers, alternative universes and fancy cover alterations finally took its toll on the industry. Not even a new Daredevil limited series by Frank Miller or a D.C vs. Marvel series could stop the inevitable. After spending time being investigated for Perleman’s business practises, Marvel Comics went bankrupt in 1996. After the reconstruction process, initiated by the court, and many legal battles, Isaac Perlmutter would be the one in control. Toy Biz, Perlmutter’s company, a subsidiary of Marvel Comics released Marvel Superhero action figures. Deciding to turn the company around, he made Avi Arad in charge of Marvel Entertainment. Arad was already overseeing the animation projects being released by Saban, whom Marvel Comics sold its back catalog to in 1986.
Throughout the industry, comic distributors were in harsh competition. Marvel Comics as well as many other companies had their own distribution channels. By the end of this struggle, Diamond Distributor’s emerged as the one major channel for comic distribution. This distribution struggle along with crossovers, alternative universes and fancy cover alterations finally took its toll on the industry. Not even a new Daredevil limited series by Frank Miller or a D.C vs. Marvel series could stop the inevitable. After spending time being investigated for Perleman’s business practises, Marvel Comics went bankrupt in 1996. After the reconstruction process, initiated by the court, and many legal battles, Isaac Perlmutter would be the one in control. Toy Biz, Perlmutter’s company, a subsidiary of Marvel Comics released Marvel Superhero action figures. Deciding to turn the company around, he made Avi Arad in charge of Marvel Entertainment. Arad was already overseeing the animation projects being released by Saban, whom Marvel Comics sold its back catalog to in 1986.
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