Marvel Unwilling To Create Any New X-Men Characters Because Of Fox?

Ever since Marvel Studios started making their own films and subsequently bought by Disney there seems to be tension between between Marvel and other rights holders. Rob Liefeld in an extensive  interview with WordBallon points out that Marvel hasn't created any new X-Men characters and it's not based on laziness. The comic book writer/creator is responsible for giving birth to Cable, Deadpool, Domino, Feral and X-Force. So when he talks X-Men he does have insider information. He's also been in active talks with 20th Century Fox over the Deadpool movie and possibly adding Cable to the X-Men films. 

Liefeld states Marvel/Disney isn't in the business of creating characters only to hand them over to 20th Century Fox for new additions to their films. Currently the studio holds the film rights to all the characters in the X-Men universe (hero and villains) which is an extensive group. I'm not sure if that also means that Fox gains rights to new characters as they are introduced in the comics. It's further pointed out that Marvel holds the toy rights to X-Men First Class but didn't release any over the summer when it was released. Since they would have competed with Captain America and Thor toys which Marvel gets a bigger profit from. He's pointing out Marvel is undercutting Fox's growth of their X-Men franchise where they can.

My take is that Marvel is smart by not helping Fox by handing over new characters bound by an old rights deal. They could feel the deal was unfair since it was drawn up during Marvel's financial troubles during the 90's and might not have predicted the future of the company. Hopefully there will be a way to wiggle the film rights back to Marvel other than cutting a billion dollar cheque which Rob suggests. I feel when the studio uses up all the villains they'll end up selling the rights back. The X-Men universe doesn't have a lot of film-friendly villains which must be annoying for Fox.

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!

Stephen Lang Talks Cable

ScreenRant was able to talk with actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Conan, Public Enemies) at the New York Comic-Con about fans wanting him to play the X-Men's Cable. Interesting enough he knows about the rumor and seems up for it if offered.

“One of boys mentioned to me – he says, ‘Hey pops, they’re talking about you for Cable,’ and I said ‘Who would that be?’ and so he Googled him for me and I saw him and I thought ‘Oh wow, he’s cool.’"

“Yes, I’m there. [Laughter] Sure, why not. I’d be happy to. You read it all, everything that comes across. And if it makes sense, if it’s a cool character, if it’s a theme you want to explore…sure.”

There had been talk that 20th Century Fox wanted to use Cable in future films.Yet it doesn't seem like he'll be in Deadpool, X-Men First Class or even Wolverine 2. I have to assume their plans involve a solo film. Lang is apart of the biggest film of all time and it just happened to be from Fox. If we were ever going to see Stephen Lang kick-ass in his own film Cable would be it. New Mutants is one film that Fox is trying to develop and Cable was it's leader. It just depends if they want to make another X-Men clone or something more in the realm of a futuristic science fiction superhero film.

What Kind of Movie Should New Mutants/X-Force Be?

Now that X-Men First Class is starting up production and Wolverine 2 set to shoot in the winter. There is still one more promised X-Men project that hasn't begun serious development and that would be New Mutants/X-Force. First Class is opening up doors with it's 6o's set Bond style. So why not try to make X-Force an 80's style action film? While I do enjoy the original films and I'm now beyond excited for First Class due in part to Matthew Vaughn's involvement and it's amazing cast. I think moving away from the dry teen drama we saw in original films could help move the story and action to a better place. It could be interesting to see the studio take a grittier direction with their characters.

DIRECTORS:


While Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) is the only confirmed/hired director at the moment. The fact 20 Century Fox is in talks with both Robert Rodriguez for Deadpool and David Slade (Hard Candy) for Wolverine 2, the next X-Men film could get another great director. My dream would be to see Zack Snyder direct since he was once attached for Wolverine but left to focus on other films. After watching the trailer for Sucker Punch he can make anything visually convincing so it could help the chances of use finally seeing the Sentinels in action. Considering Snyder's work relationship with Warner Bros. I think it might be difficult for another studio to hire him. He also is currently working on Xerxes which could be his next movie. Daniel Espinosa (Snabba Cash) is an interesting new director he was considered to direct First Class. I think Daniel is another great choice if Fox can get him since he is also in high demand to direct other projects.





STORYLINES:


I'm not that knowledgeable on the history of the X-Force but the majority of new issues seem to be better suited for film than the originals. What I'd like to see is Cable forming a side special-ops unit of the X-Men and is setup for rescues and liberation of captured mutants. It could make for the best use of the Sentinel saga along with the mutant work camps. I could live without Wolverine in the film but it would be nice to see him if only as a supporting character. It's difficult to say if we'll ever see Laura Kinney (X-23) in the films but this could be the right one for her. Just as long as they skip over the cloning it could work.


The other interesting aspect is crossovers. Deadpool is now an active member of the X-Force and could be featured or cameo in the movie. With Ryan's workload it seems unlikely there will be room for a Deadpool sequel anytime soon. A small role in X-Force could keep fans happy if Deadpool is successful. I'd also love to see the lineup involve known characters like Psylocke, Archangel, Domino, Majik, Warpath and Boom Boom.


CASTING THOUGHTS:


Stephen Lang (Avatar) as Nathan Summers (Cable)


Rebecca Hall (The Town, Prestige) as Elisabeth Braddock (Psylocke)


Cillian Murphy (Inception) as Archangel


Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) as Neena Thurman (Domino)


Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto) as James Proudstar (Warpath)


Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass) as Laura Kinney (X-23)


Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim) as Tabitha Smith (Boom Boom)


Beau Garrett (Tron Legacy) as Illyana Rasputin (Magik)

RUMOR: Fox Developing Their Own Marvel Film Universe?

There is talk circling Twitter today (via Poni_Boy from CBM) that 20th Century Fox is considering their own Marvel film universe. This could mean that in future films we could see the X-Men/X-Force/Deadpool interacting with Daredevil, Elektra, Silver Surfer or the Fantastic Four. It would make sense since they are somewhat rebooting the X-Men franchise with First Class. There are also planned reboots of both Daredevil and Fantastic Four. Even Deadpool will get a complete character reboot in the upcoming spin-off. I'd like to think somehow Bryan Singer could be involved in creative/consulting/producing role with these projects to tie them together. The studio is flush with money from Avatar and could take a shot similar to what both Marvel Studios and possibly DC Entertainment are attempting with their own superhero universes.