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!

RUMOR: Is Aaron Johnson Gambit?

ComicBookMovie was able to find out from foreign news sources that actor Alex González (Milk) has joined X-Men First Class playing Riptide best known for being in the Marauders. While interesting, it's more where the character fits in the X-Men universe that could give us more clues on the film's story. It's not shocking that Fox would be adding some lesser known mutants in the film but a Marauder? This could very well could mean the previous rumors of Mr. Sinister and Gambit being in the film more likely. Both Gambit and Mystique were involved in the group and could give us the origin of the thief turned X-Men. It leads me to believe that Gambit is going to be in this film.


Previously Aaron Johnson had been rumored for the part of Scott Summers better known as Cyclops but it had been established the character wouldn't be in the film. There were confirmations of sorts that Bryan Singer while testing actors for Jack The Giant Killer was also having them read for First Class roles (Johnson being one of those actors). Gambit is the best known Cajun mutant and the open casting call for actors who can do a Cajun accent fueled rumors. That along with Johnson testing for the film and being known for his uncanny American accents. He very well could have tested for Remy LeBeau not Cyclops.


Fox also seems to be hell bent on mining the X-Men universe for all that it's worth so it's possible we could see a Gambit film in the future. While most remember Taylor Kitsch playing Remy in Wolverine he has been busy since then. He's lined himself in a trilogy of John Carter of Mars films for Disney and is starring in the alien invasion film Battleship which could also spawn sequels. It seems Taylor could be a bit too pricey/busy for 20th Century Fox if they ever did to decide to make a Gambit spin-off. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already re-casted the role. It's likely they would be looking at younger actors with less franchises on their plate. Johnson being the best example of who they could be looking for since he only has Kick-Ass at this point.

UPDATE: Gambit is not in First Class but it's possible that the character could be used in First Class 2. Both Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn have been lobbing for the character for previous films. Singer since X1 and even using Gambit's real name Remy in a mutant list in X2. When Vaughn was originally directing X3 he had planned on using Gambit as well. As Gambit has yet to be used in the first three X-Men films it's possible like Emma Frost he could be reintroduced. Not to mention he'd be a great fit for the 60's setting. I'll have to take another look at First Class when it's on DVD as he may have been in the Hellfire Club Casino but not noticed yet.

UPDATE: X-Men First Class, Casting/Crew & Gambit?

ThePlaylist reports that Aaron Johnson is very much "locked" in for a role in X-Men First Class. Frank Dillane who was linked with the production and is one of the five Spider-Man candidates could be in the film too. There have been crew announcements slowing coming in from GeekFiles.


Playlist also reports casting is looking for actors who can pull off a Cajun accent. Which of course would mean we'll be seeing Gambit included in the film. I think this could be be Fox's chance to develop the hero for his own franchise similar to Wolverine.


CREW

Composer: Ilan Eshkeri (Kick-Ass, Ninja Assassin, Stardust)

Concept Artist: Matthew Savage (Prince of Persia, Wolfman, The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Doctor Who)

Pre-Visualization Supervisor: Rpin Suwannath (X-Men 1-2, Superman Returns, Serenity, Narnia Trilogy)

Production Designer: Russell De Rozario (Kick-Ass)

Cinematographer: Ben Davis (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, Stardust)

Costume Designer: Sammy Sheldon (Green Zone, Stardust, Hellboy 2, V for Vendetta, Black Hawk Down)

Supervising Art Director: John King (Robin Hood, Bablyon AD, Kingdom of Heaven, Harry Potter 1-2)