X-MEN EXCELLENCE: X-Men Apocalypse Plot Synopsis Reveals What?, DEADPOOL UPDATES, AND New X-Men Spinoff "NEW MUTANTS"

A bunch of X-Men related news has been released during the week so I decided to collect all of that and put it into this X-Men Excellence news omnibus just to make it easier for you and me both!

Potential plot and casting details for X-Men: Age of Apocalypse have hit the Internet, giving fans the most detailed description of the upcoming X-film yet.

The updates come from a casting call for the film’s Quebec production location. While the casting agency’s description of the film could have stemmed from rumors instead of actual word from Fox Studios, it does provide a possible road map for the film’s overall direction. And if the casting call’s words are to be believed, it looks like Apocalypse will indeed include Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Channing Tatum’s Gambit.  Just cross our claws and playing cards that this description actually holds some truth.

Here’s the full description:

If you would like to be part of the X-Men: Apocalypse Starring Jennifer Lawrence – Movie Casting Call in 2015 please read the info below:

It has all lead to this. All of the battles (both outside and within the group), action, relationships and time travel that the uncanny X-Men have endured have lead to this, their biggest story ever – X-Men: Apocalypse. Following the universe changing events of 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past comes this epic mutant adventure and with it a number of casting opportunities for performers of all ages.

X-Men: Apocalypse will follow the super powered mutants battling their most powerful foe yet, the devious and devastatingly dangerous Apocalypse. This legendary villain uses his incredible abilities to alter his physical form, access other mutant superpowers and telekinesis to recruit a cult-like group called the Four Horsemen to be his servants and do his bidding in an all out war against the X-Men.

The cast of X-Men: Apocalypse will feature a who’s who of X-Men characters and some of Hollywood’s most talented performers playing them including Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) as Mystique, Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street) as Gambit, Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) as Magneto, Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) as Charles Xavier, Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) as Wolverine, 2-time Golden Globe nominee Rose Byrne (Neighbors) as Moira MacTaggert, Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) as Beast, Olivia Munn (The Newsroom) as Psylocke, 3-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) as Jean Grey, Kodi Smit-McPhee (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) as Nightcrawler, Alexandra Shipp (Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B) as Storm, Tye Sheridan (The Stanford Prison Experiment) as Cyclops and Golden Globe nominee Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens) as the villain Apocalypse.

Variety reports that Fox has signed “The Fault in Our Stars” director Josh Boone to direct the X-Men spinoff “The New Mutants,” which introduces several new characters to the “X-Men” movie universe.

Boone will also co-write the script for the untitled project with Knate Gwaltney. Producers are Simon Kinberg with Lauren Shuler Donner.

Boone’s “Fault in Our Stars,” starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, was a surprise hit for Fox, with over $300 million in worldwide grosses on a $12 million budget. He’s also attached to direct Stephen King’s “The Stand” for Warner Bros. and has said that the studio is planning a four-part franchise.

Created by Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod in 1982, the New Mutants comic book followed a new, younger group of students at the Charles Xavier School For Gifted Youngsters.  The original team consists of Cannonball (invulnerable human rocket), Karma (telepath), Mirage aka Dani Moonstar (manifests empathic 3D illusions), Sunspot (solar powered flight and strength) and Wolfsbane (werewolf transformation).  Rather than trying to save the mutant race, the New Mutants stories typically focused on what it meant to grow up away from home, possessing awesome and terrible super powers.  Typical themes tackled by Claremont and McLeod included teenage angst, hormones, diversity, discrimination and acceptance.

Fox’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” delivered solidly for the studio last summer with $748 million in worldwide grosses. It’s dated Ryan Reynolds’ “Deadpool” for Feb. 12, followed by Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Apocalypse” on May 27, 2016, and its developing another Wolverine movie with Hugh Jackman, as well as a “Gambit” project with Channing Tatum attached to star.

Boone also appears to be a super X-Men fan as by the following tweets prove that he is the personification of X-Men fandom!

My X-Men collection. This is only a small part of my comic library. pic.twitter.com/AJP2fIddyP

— Josh Boone (@JoshBooneMovies) May 14, 2015

#XMenUniverse Fans…#TheNewMutants are in good hands with @JoshBooneMovies. #NuffSaid http://t.co/WuigDeK13W pic.twitter.com/02kfd7sVWN

— Mutant 101 (@M101_Mutant101) May 14, 2015

Me and #NewMutants co-writer @KnateLee absorbed in comics when we were kids! pic.twitter.com/Y9dqlZYxI6

— Josh Boone (@JoshBooneMovies) May 14, 2015

Ryan Reynolds has taken to Instagram to reveal a brand new image from Deadpool. It doesn’t reveal too much about the movie and is a little less humorous than previous efforts, but that makes it no less awesome! The photo was clearly taken when they were shooting on that overpass in Vancouver, and this is a really fantastic shot of the popular Marvel character in action. Reynolds also Instagrammed a photo of himself in the Deadpool costume “trying to kill” Mario Lopez again!

View this post on Instagram

Stuck the landing. With my mouth.

A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) on May 11, 2015 at 11:13am PDT

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Why is it every time I see Ryan Reynolds he tries to kill me? What's up with that?! #Deadpool

A post shared by Mario Lopez (@mariolopez) on May 11, 2015 at 10:00am PDT

Star Ryan Reynolds (X-Men: Origins: Wolverine) has been gifting fans with teaser images like the ones above for a few months now showcasing the fan favorite Deadpool doing well… Deadpool-esque things. Early last month, he also appeared with ExtraTV’s Mario Lopez (Saved By The Bell) in an elaborate April Fool’s Day prank video that announced that the film will indeed be rated R.

We see from above another behind-the-scenes snapshot of Reynolds and Lopez together on set and now, the full video from the set visit has been released featuring Reynolds fully decked out in his Deadpool costume. Check it out below:

Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Deadpool is directed by Tim Miller, and stars Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle), T.J. Miller (Weasel), with Ed Skrein, and Brianna Hildebrand (Ellie Phimister). The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on February 12, 2016.

Director Bryan Singer has once again returned to Instagram to share a behind the scenes photo from the set of X-Men: Apocalypse. This one features a young girl flanked by bow and arrow wielding soldiers, along with the caption “The past catches up”.

https://instagram.com/p/2orboqRDxf

After that mysterious image of a youngster in a forest clearing surrounded by armed soldier types, Bryan Singer has released another head scratcher from the X-Men: Apocalypse set. As the director explains himself in the accompanying text, this is a “mutant guided incoming owl” – so what can we glean from that? Canadian Alpha Flight member Snowbird can transform into a large white owl, but she wasn’t a mutant in the comics and didn’t actually control animals which is what seems to be happening here. Do any of the other characters from this movie fit that description?

https://instagram.com/p/2rUXmGxD_l

X-Men: Apocalypse, directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men: Days of Future Past), will hit theaters on May 27, 2016 and stars Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), James McAvoy (Charles Xavier), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Oscar Isaac (Apocalypse), Rose Byrne (Moira McTaggert), Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), Ben Hardy (Angel), Olivia Munn (Psylocke), Lucas Till (Havok) and Lana Condor (Jubillee).

PEACE!!

Hugh Jackman Confirms That THE WOLVERINE 3 Will Be His Final X-MEN Movie

In the video above (apologies for the poor quality), Hugh Jackman reiterates that 2017’s Wolverine movie will be the final time he plays the character. There have been rumours that Bryan Singer is moving on after X-Men: Apocalypse – presumably so the franchise can focus on the new actors playing younger versions of the likes of Cyclops and Jean Grey – and so it makes sense that The Wolverine 3 will be a farewell of sorts to the original timeline which kicked off back in 2000.

“It is my last time,” Jackman said in an interview earlier today in his home country. “It just felt like it was the right time to do it. And let’s be honest, 17 years. I never thought in a million years it would last, so I’m so grateful to the fans for the opportunity of playing it.I kind of have in my head what we’re going to do in this last one. It just feels like this is the perfect way to go out.”

It’s not clear if a new Wolverine will be cast of whether Fox are going to put the character on the shelf for a few years, but Jackman’s time as the clawed mutant is over. 

THE WOLVERINE Sequel Lands BLADE RUNNER 2 And GREEN LANTERN Writer

Little is known about James Mangold’s sequel to The Wolverine, though it has been reported that the sequel will feature some sort of team-up between Hugh Jackman’s Logan and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X.

Regardless, The Wrap reports Michael Green is set to write the movie for Fox and is working closely with Mangold on putting the project together. Green is no stranger to the world of comic books after working on Smallville and Heroes, while he’s one of the many writers credited for Green Lantern too. He also penned a draft of The Flash a number of years ago, but his most recent projects include the Blade Runner and Prometheus sequels.

Mangold’s focus is now said to be on The Wolverine 2 (or 3 if you include X-Men Origins: Wolverine) after his next movie – The Deep Blue Goodbye – was put on hold due to an injury suffered by Christian Bale. This movie is still set for 2017 regardless.

Source: The Wrap

PAN Release Date Pushed

Warner Bros. has pushed back the release date of “Pan” to October in an effort to avoid a big crowd at the summer box office.

The Peter Pan original tale, directed by Joe Wright, will now open Oct. 9, instead of July 24. Starring Hugh Jackman and Garrett Hedlund, the 3D adventure pic was surrounded by tentpoles like Marvel’s “Ant-Man” and Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible” sequel.

“We wanted to give ‘Pan’ the space to extend its theatrical run, so taking it out of the cluttered summer season made the most sense,” WB distribution exec Dan Fellman said.

Jason Fuchs penned the new take on the classic story. Set during WWII, it follows an orphan who is kidnapped by pirates and brought to Neverland, where he discovers he’s destined to save the land from the pirate Blackbeard (Jackman).

Hedlund plays a young Hook, while Levi Miller stars as Peter Pan. The feature also features Rooney Mara and Amanda Seyfried.

Greg Berlanti, Paul Webster and Sarah Schechter are producing “Pan,” with Courtenay Valenti and Andrew Fischel overseeing for the studio. The movie was shot last year in London.

Source: Variety

Hugh Jackman’s "One Last Time" Is WOLVERINE 3

While it was initially unclear whether Hugh Jackman was referring to Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Apocalypse or James Mangold’s sequel to The Wolverine, it appears he was referring to the latter.

“@RealHughJackman: WOLVERINE …ONE LAST TIME. HJ https://t.co/vlqMyFchGx” Can’t wait to make this, HJ! Been toiling quietly a while now!
— Mangold (@mang0ld) March 29, 2015

It appears that Hugh Jackman’s last Wolverine film will be the third solo Wolverine film! This comes from the director of the third, James Mangold, as he took to his Twitter(see above) to confirm that Jackman’s swan song as the ferocious Wolverine will be his third solo outing! The third Wolverine film is currently slated to arrive in theaters on March 3, 2017. It should be important to note that filming on X-Men: Apocalypse has yet to start so a phone call from Bryan Singer could change everything. Filming on Apocalypse is expected to start next month and the film currently has a May 27, 2016 release date.

The Wrap also reports that their inside sources are telling them that Hugh Jackman is referring to a follow-up to The Wolverine and not X-Men: Apocolaypse.

Source: TheWrap 

Hugh Jackman Teases WOLVERINE Departure?

Wolverine actor, Hugh Jackman took to his Instagram to tease some revelations for his role as Wolverine himself. Jackman captions a photo of his hands one of which has the adamantium claws attached with “WOLVERINE …ONE LAST TIME. HJ.” This could mean an end to his long career as Wolverine in the current X-Men franchise, or something completely different. It’s hard to make a solid answer to this at the moment, but giving his recent remarks saying that he wishes to play Wolverine until he dies it could just be him having some fun with us!

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WOLVERINE …ONE LAST TIME. HJ

A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Mar 28, 2015 at 10:40am PDT

It is also unlikely that he will play Wolverine in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” with the upcoming sequel to “The Wolverine” spinoff serving as his swan song. The movie is set for release on March 3, 2017.

Jackman first played the mutant in 2000’s “X-Men,” taking over the role from Dougray Scott after the actor sustained an injury. He has now assumed the role an unrivaled seven times, including two turns in his own offshoots — “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “The Wolverine.”

THE WOLVERINE Sequel To Shoot Next Year

According to James Mangold, Hugh Jackman will stay busy after X-Men: Apocalypse with another Wolverine solo-film,which starts filming in early 2016.  Wolverine 3 is currently scheduled to be released in theaters March 3, 2017.  There are currently unconfirmed rumors that Wolverine and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X will be teaming up.  David James Kelly is currently developing the script. Jackman recently stated that he was inspired by Michael Keaton’s Birdman to keep playing Wolverine until the day he dies.

@R_0_B_89 early next year.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) March 5, 2015

Hugh Jackman Talks AVENGERS/ X-MEN Crossover, DEADPOOL Cameo, And More!

Here are some of the things good ole Hugh Jackman talked about while promoting his newest feature, CHAPPIE, he talks potential Avengers/ X-men crossover, whether he makes a cameo in Deadpool, and more!

The idea of a crossover may be great, but with Fox currently on a hot streak with their X-Men films and with their more than impressive upcoming slate, the likelihood of a crossover happening are unlikely at best, but then again we said the same thing about Spider-Man this time last year. However, despite all of this, Jackman remains optimistic: “Two years ago I’d have said you’d be a real optimist to think it’d ever happen, but weirdly now I just think it maybe could. I think there is the possibility that it will happen.” He also goes on to say that the one Avengers character he’d like to see in a Wolverine film would be Iron Man as long as Robert Downey Jr. is playing the part.

Check him out in the video clip below:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/video/jackman-positive-over-wolverine-iron-152809874.html?format=embed&player_autoplay=false

Speaking with MTV UK, X-Men star Hugh Jackman touched on the subject of Fox’s upcoming Deadpool movie, which arrives next February and stars his good friend and X-Men Origins: Wolverine co-star Ryan Reynolds as the fast-talking Merc with a Mouth. In the brief interview clip below, Jackman affirms that Reynolds will do a great job and expresses his extreme happiness for Reynolds and that the movie is getting made. When asked about a potential Wolverine cameo, Jackman says he’s “open to that idea” after briefly touching on Wolverine and Deadpool’s volatile relationship and how they always seem to spark off well together. Check him out in the clip below:

A new video interview has just surfaced, courtesy of the good people at Collider, featuring Jackman being a bit dodgy when asked a question about his workload in Fox’s X-Men: Apocalypse. As far as official confirmations go, it’s still a bit of a mystery as to whether or not we’ll actually see Jackman reprise his role in the upcoming Bryan Singer film, and while he admits to not having read a script yet, if his mannerisms are anything to go by, it does seem likely we’ll once again see him suit up as the Wolverine in the highly anticipated X-Men sequel. If he does appear in the film, it would mark the eighth time Hugh’s put on the claws, possibly ninth if the Deadpool cameo happens. If neither of the above happens, we’ll have to wait and see Jackman return to the role in 2017’s Wolverine 3.

Skip ahead to the 2:42 mark to check out his comments in the video below:

Sources: Collider / Yahoo / MTV Youtube /

Hugh Jackman Wants To Play Wolverine Until He Dies

Nothing is stopping good ole Hugh Jackman from being the Wolverine as he wants to play him until he dies.

“Every time I play Wolverine I want to go further, physically and emotionally,” Jackman said in an interview with Cigar Aficionado (via E! Online).

After having seen Michael Keaton’s Birdman, in which the former Batman star plays a washed-up actor most famous for having played a role in a big superhero film franchise, Jackman told the magazine, “I said to my wife, ‘The moral is that I should never stop playing Wolverine. I’ve got to find a way to keep playing him until I die.’ I know that someday they’ll recast the role with another actor…I’d be happy if the role was eventually recast. It would mean that it had become iconic.”

He also said that his X-Men Origins: Wolverine co-star Ryan Reynolds, who is currently reprising his role as Deadpool in a stand-alone movie, is far too nice for the role of Wolverine. Reynolds is “so nice he makes ice cream look like the Manson family,” Jackman joked, adding, “I don’t want to canonize the guy, but he’s like a living, breathing saint.”

Jackman is appearing in Neil Blomkamp’s Chappie which, along with X-Men: Days of Future Past and Real Steel, means that he’s played opposite robots more than almost any actor in Hollywood.

Source: E! Online

Wolverine Would’ve Been Recast If Matthew Vaughn Directed X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Can you imagine a Wolverine that isn’t Hugh Jackman? Well, if Matthew Vaughn had chose to direct X-Men: Days Of Future Past instead of Kingsman: The Secret Service, that’s what you would’ve seen.

Vaughn directed 2011’s X-Men: First Class which reinvigorated 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise after Brett Ratner’s X-Men: The Last Stand sapped the series of its momentum. With First Class a success Fox moved forward with a sequel and wanted Vaughn to return but he left the project to adapt Mark Millar’s spy comic and Bryan Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films, took over directing duties.

In a new interview with MTV, Vaughn reveals some more details about the version of Days Of Future Past that he would’ve told that differs from what we saw. The most important change would’ve been Wolverine being recast for the scenes that take place in the past. Yes, Vaughn doesn’t think Hugh Jackman is as ageless as most of us do. Although, Vaughn still wanted Jackman to appear in the future scenes, so he wouldn’t have been completely recast.

Listen to Vaughn’s MTV interview in the video below.

http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:1167079/cp~vid%3D1167079%26instance%3Dmtv%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A1167079

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X-Men: Apocalypse will open in theaters May 27, 2016