Saoirse Ronan And Taron Ederton Linked For Roles In X-MEN APOCALYPSE

LatinoReview is reporting new names linked for the roles of younger versions of Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe (Storm) in Bryan Singer's X-Men Apocalypse. Oscar Isaac is set to play the titular villain of the film, but we haven't really heard a recent update from trades.

Apparently, my top contender Taron Edgerton from Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman The Secret Service and my Spider-Man hopeful Tye Sheridan (Mud, Tree of Life, Dark Places) are up for the role of Cyclops. British actor Jamie Blackley is also in the mix. Considering the buzz coming from Kingsman, I expect Fox will move on offering the role to Taron. I had him pegged weeks back and I really hope he lands it.

Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) and Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) are being named as new candidates for the role of Jean Grey. Both actresses had been linked for the Star Wars role and Ronan had been wanted for the Sue Storm role in Fantastic Four. There had even been talk Saoirse was the blue-print for Marvel's Scarlet Witch and could end-up playing Fox's version if she doesn't land the Jean role. Speculation on my part, but she would easily be convincing as being the sister of Evan Peter's Quicksilver.

TheWrap previously named Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In, Hugo, Equalizer, Dark Shadows, 500 Days of Summer), Elle Fanning (Maleficent, We Bought A Zoo, Super 8, Benjamin Button) and Oscar nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld (Ender's Game, Pitch Perfect 2, True Grit) as contenders for the role.

Lesser known actresses are being sought for the role of Storm with Alexandra Shipp and Zendaya Coleman mentioned.

SOURCE: LATINOREVIEW

Bryan Singer Confirmed To Direct Fox's X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Even after all the sex scandals Bryan Singer Fox has decided that he'll direct the next X-Men film titled X-Men: Apocalypse, according to Deadline. The director has just reached a deal to helm the next installment, which is expected to begin shooting early next year in Montreal. This isn't much of a surprise, as Singer worked closely with producer Simon Kinberg along with screenwriters Michael Doughtery and Dan Harris to flush-out a story for Apocalypse. The two writers also wrote X2, so at least where the script is concerned it's in good hands. It's release date is set for May 27th, 2016.

We'll be seeing young versions of Jean Grey, Cyclops and Storm. These were assumed at the time of the film's announcement. It's nice to see that Mystique won't be the only lady this time around in that timeline. The most interesting addition here is actually Storm, since this will be set in the 1980s. It gives a perfect reason for Singer to use her mohawk character design. Which in my opinion is her coolest look, and is also her current look in the comics as well.

Channing Tatum's Gambit might make his debut, as pointed out by Deadline. Months back Bryan Singer didn't sound as confident about using Gambit, but had originally wanted to use him during the first two X-Men films. I'm sure producers are begging him to find space for Gambit, as they are developing a spin-off for the future. Singer listed Remy by name in a small scene in the second film, so there is obviously a desire to use him. Bryan has also mentioned wanting to include a younger Nightcrawler in the film.

The only things we know about the film, is that Apocalypse will be our main villain. It's setting will be exactly a decade after the events of Days of Future Past, placing it in the 1980s. Having the setting in one single time period, rather than jumping between past and future teams (however, that could change). McAvoy is said to be playing Professor X bald this time, which should make hardcore fans happy.

It's extremely possible would could see the return of time-travelling mutants, but in this case they'll be there to kill/save the life of Charles Xavier. Bishop, who was last seen in Days of Future Past in the comics is sent back in time (with the aid of a time machine built by tech-genius Forge) to stop events from getting worse in the future (Age of Apocalypse?). This leads him to attempt to assassinate Xavier in the past, luckily for the professor another traveler is set-out to save him. That could very well be our introduction to Nathan Summers better known as Cable. Lauren Shuler Donner and others have expressed their interest in bringing that character into the franchise. There were even hints to Cable getting his own film. Apocalypse just might be the film to explain his origin, and be our window into a even worse fate for the world.

James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender and Nicholas Hoult as expected to return. It's crazy to think we'll see two X-Men films released in 2016, with Deadpool in February and Apocalypse in May. We still have James Mangold chipping away at The Wolverine 2 story/script (has a date set for 2017), and we're still waiting to get an update about the fate of Jeff Wadlow's X-Force. There has also been chatter of a Gambit spin-off with Channing Tatum expected to that role. That one project doesn't have any creatives working on currently, so it's the biggest long shot at the moment.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Storm And Nightcrawler Returning For X-MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST?

Director Bryan Singer has been seemingly trying to blend both X-Men franchises into one single film likely to allow more present time films. After the horrible handing of X3 which saw the death of major characters and led to a stalemate for moving forward. The studio painted themselves into a corner and with the help of Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman, Simon Kinberg and Singer they're trying to fix things. Bryan was recently asked if he would be willing to bring back both Halle Berry as Storm and Alan Cummings as the highly popular Nightcrawler. He's unsure about Storm and Nightcrawler but isn't ruling it out. The latter character's parents have already been setup in X-Men First Class with Mystique and Azazel now working together in the Brotherhood of Mutants.

One major human character that will likely have to return is Bolivar Trask played by Bill Duke (Predator, Commando). As his character does invent and unleash the Sentinels on the mutant population which is funded by the government. It's possible we could be seeing a lot of these characters being killed off/captured in the beginning of the film putting into motion the element of time-travel to fix things. No word if Kitty will be the only character thrown back into time to stop the events that lead to the Sentinels being built. Singer already has a major chunk of returning X-Men such as Xavier (Stewart), Magneto (McKellan), Wolverine (Jackman), Rouge (Paquin), Kitty (Page) and Iceman (Ashmore). There isn't word if Kelsey Grammer (modern Beast), Ben Foster (Angel) or Daniel Crudmore (Colossus) will be coming back either.

EDITORIAL: First Class A New X-Men Franchise For Fox?

I believe that one of the biggest reasons for 20th Century Fox making X-Men First Class is to branch out their X-Men universe. Creating a side-franchise for the studio since they could very well lose the rights to their Marvel properties like Daredevil and The Fantastic Four. The Wolverine and Deadpool have the greatest potential as successful spin-offs for Fox. The First Class films could help expand the X-Men universe while being a great place to insert their laundry list of unused mutants and origin stories.

So why do I believe that X-Men First Class is going become it's own franchise?  Fox more than likely has a plan for showing off more origins like ones for Jean, Scott, Storm and Gambit in future films. It's not financially sound to go and make solo origin films for all of these characters. Including their origins slowly in a First Class franchise makes more sense. It's also a perfect reason to have period based comic book films. While this film is set in the 60's the next film could be in the 70's. Still keeping it's Bond style of globetrotting with elaborate sets and costumes. Giving us fresh takes on the genre by changing up the eras. 

One of the biggest issues for fans was the exclusion of Jean and Scott. Yet if they were going by previous films neither would have been born when Xavier was young. Since they've sort of killed off both Scott and Jean it would make sense to feature their origin stories in a sequel.

It made sense for the first movie to focus on the older characters like Xavier, Magneto, Beast, Emma Frost and Mystique. The studio went on to use story elements from the Magento and Mystique (rumored) origin films. While it's unlikely the characters will now get their own spin-offs they could return for sequels. January Jones recently said she would like to return for another film. So it's possible they've locked in the actors for more movies.

Aaron Johnson had been rumored for the role of Cyclops and Gambit so it's possible they've already set things in motion with a cameo. Stephen Lang (Avatar, Conan) would love to play the role of Cable and could also be involved in any of the future X-Men films.

There had been talk of making a New Mutants/X-Force film but I wouldn't be surprised to see it and the members (Cable) being absorbed into a second movie. Yet you never know it could also be used in X-Men 4 which Bryan Singer is likely to direct when he is finished with Jack The Giant Killer.

Granted we haven't even seen a trailer yet but it's very possible if the movie does well this summer we could see more of these prequels.


Would You Like More X-Men Origin Stories Used In First Class 2? Should Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Cable and Gambit Be Featured In The Prequels? Leave Your Comments!