New Photos for X-Men: Days of Future Past

New photos to help promote Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox's "X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST". The first came from Total Film and features more of the chance encounter between past Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and future Xavier (Patrick Stewart)...

There's also another one with Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique in human form confronting Magneto (Michael Fassbender)...

And another one featuring Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)...

Meanwhile, the official X-Men twitter page shared two new photos focusing on Magneto or Magnetos since we're talking about two versions of the character in the movie.

Michael Fassbender as the young Magneto

Sir Ian McKellen as the older Magneto

Helmed by Bryan Singer, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” stars newcomers Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Boo Boo Stewart, Fan Bingbing, Evan Peters, Adan Canto, Josh Helman, along with returning stars Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Lucas Till, and Daniel Cudmore.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” will open on May 22, 2014 in Philippine cinemas nationwide.

Hugh Jackman to Star in Live-Action Peter Pan Feature Film

Hugh Jackman (The Wolverine) has been officially announced as the villainous pirate Blackbeard for the live-action adaptation of Peter Pan from Warner Bros. Pictures.

BURBANK, CA – January 24, 2014 – Academy Award® nominee Hugh Jackman (“Les Misérables”) has been set to star in Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming live-action Peter Pan feature for director Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Jackman will portray the villainous Blackbeard in an all-new tale about author J.M. Barrie’s beloved character Peter Pan, the boy who would never grow up.Silverman stated, “Hugh Jackman always delivers indelible performances that resonate with audiences. We know he will create a Blackbeard who will be a powerful presence in this original Peter Pan adventure.” Kroll added, “There is a reason that Hugh is known and loved the world over. He is uncompromising in his dedication to every role, and we are all thrilled to be working with him again.”

Best known to audiences worldwide for his portrayal of the Wolverine, Jackman most recently wrapped production on “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” reprising his role as the conflicted Super Hero for the sixth time in that popular film franchise. In addition to an Oscar® nomination, he won a Golden Globe Award and earned a BAFTA Award nomination for his gripping performance as Jean Valjean in 2012’s “Les Misérables.” This past fall, Jackman led an all-star cast in the acclaimed dramatic thriller “Prisoners.” Also an accomplished stage actor, he received a 2004 Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway musical “The Boy From Oz.”

Wright will direct the as-yet-untitled Peter Pan adventure from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs. Greg Berlanti and Paul Webster are serving as producers.

The film is set for a worldwide release beginning July 17, 2015 (including The Philippines).

And thanks to this post, I've reopened my feels for the Assassin's Creed IV version of Edward Thatch aka Blackbeard. Really optimistic that this is going to be an awesome movie. Oh and if you think you know Peter Pan you might want to read THIS.

All the X-Men: Days of Future Past Photos Now in Hi-Res

The good folks at 20th Century Fox Philippines just sent in some hi-res versions of most of the X-MEN:DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Photos.

20th Century Fox has just released "X-Men: Days of Future Past" high-resolution photos.

The latest high-quality images released worldwide features exciting and dangerous times in the lives of the mutants where they must face the past for the future of mankind and mutants.

James McAvoy, who reprises his role as young Professor X in the film shares that the star-studded film is going to be the biggest, most epic X-Men to be made. "“I think it’s the second biggest production Fox have ever embarked upon, behind Avatar. So they’re definitely going for it.”

Helmed by Bryan Singer, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” stars newcomers Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Boo Boo Stewart, Fan Bingbing, Evan Peters, Adan Canto, Josh Helman, along with returning stars Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Lucas Till, and Daniel Cudmore.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” will open on May 22, 2014 in Philippine cinemas nationwide.

James Mangold in Talks for The Wolverine Sequel

It looks like THE WOLVERINE team of Hugh Jackman and James Mangold might be reuniting once again...

And yes, this is for another serving of Canadian Berserker goodness.

Deadline reports today that Mangold is currently in talks with Fox for another go with James Howlett after next year's X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Also returning to the fold (if negotiations push through) is producer Lauren Shuler Donner who worked with the two closely for this year's mutant movie.

I loved The Wolverine and I'm hoping its the same quality. 

Wounded Logan, Brooding Xaviers and More in New Stills for X-Men: Days of Future Past

Empire has released several new stills for 20th Century Fox's X-Men: Days of Future Past starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Check them out below:

There's hardly any action in these stills, just a lot of brooding...

At least we end things with a little Jennifer Lawrence in Mystique action.

Source

THE WOLVERINE HOT TOYS Preview

Today marks the day when Hot Toys officially unveils their Movie Masters 1/6th scale figure of Hugh Jackman as "The Wolverine".

Here's the official press release coming from the Hot Toys fanpage:

"Wolverine, one of the favorite superheroes of all time, was back in action and summoned to Japan in the summer blockbuster - The Wolverine. Originally only to say goodbye to an old acquaintance, things quickly turned sour as Wolverine lost his immortality while dangerous enemies were coming after him.

Hot Toys is thrilled to present the new 1/6th scale Wolverine Collectible Figure from The Wolverine. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the movie featuring a newly developed head sculpt, two styles of claws and costumes, and an engraved metal Japanese sword."

No price or release date at the moment but damn. This figure looks like a keeper.

The Classic Yellow Wolverine Costume That Almost Appeared in The Wolverine

Movieweb shared a photo of a very much unused Wolverine costume that nearly appeared in this year's "The Wolverine" from 20th Century Fox.

Wolverine by Siya Oum

According to Movieweb, had this been approved, we could have seen Hugh Jackman wear this costume at some point in the story. Another statement I read suggested that this suitcase could have been given by Mariko Yashida towards the end of the movie when Logan leaves Japan.

Regardless, we should all thank designed Adam Ross who did all this fine work with the help of a 3D printer.

Really sucks. But hey, for all we know we could be seeing this back in the big screen for X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

LINK

5 Spoilery Rants and Raves About The Wolverine

SPOILER ALERT. This post is full of THE WOLVERINE spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie (shame on you) best skip to other posts. 

The Wolverine was all kinds of awesome in my opinion. With it's detachment from the world of the merry mutants, we're treated to a real Wolverine story that's got all the right stuff from humor to action. I decided to countdown the top ten stuff from James Mangold's movie, the top five things that gives THE WOLVERINE the edge.

1. Wolverine taking on the Ninjas

In homage to the classic Marvel stories set in Japan namely the story by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) gets to fight a horde of ninjas. Well, not all of them, he does a number on a couple until it was time to show viewers why James Howlett is called "The Wolverine".

Frank Miller and Chris Claremont sends Logan to Japan to fight ninjas  in the 'WOLVERINE' back in the 80s

In one of his earlier adventures, people identify Logan as a Wolverine. This is because he was short and fights really, really hard. Of course that isn't the case with the movie version of Logan as Hugh Jackman is already hitting the 6 feet mark. He is written however to be very feral and he still fights hard. He's so in love with fighting that even after getting shot with numerous arrows by the ninjas, Logan just shrugs it off in order to save Mariko in the final leg of the movie.


2. The Silver Samurai

RANT: Harada is not the Silver Samurai in the movie and it sucked bad. While we get a generally understandable reason why they took liberties with the character, it still sucked that we didn't get the real Silver Samurai and Wolverine showdown we all pined for. Logan and Harada has history. The two have clashed on a lot of occasions, they're also unlikely allies once in a while. I remember when the New Avengers had an adventure in Japan, it was Harada's crib that the Avengers crashed into both literally and figuratively. 

I believe this was the first tussle between Logan and Harada

Again, it was pretty obvious that it was Old Man Yashida controlling the Silver Samurai. Also how is it that Logan managed to pop open the helmet when the adamantium's already been removed. Wasn't there any adamantium lining for the neck area? And here I was thinking Viper and Yashida were both smart.

3. Losing his healing factor

OK not exactly an injured Logan but still close enough

Great job on depowering Wolverine in this movie. We don't get a lame ass reason which is good and we also don't get a stupid handwavium scenario either. It makes perfect sense and it makes things interesting at the same time. And to celebrate the greatness of Logan's loss of his healing factor, Marvel Comics has actually incorporated this on the ongoing WOLVERINE book with Paul Cornell and Allan Davis.

New story arc featuring a Wolverine without the healing factor to line up with the movie

And if you didn't notice it's not even a real depowering, more like dumbed down the healing factor because Logan can still take a beating despite getting shot at multiple times. For me it was a great story and a great challenge for the character. And at least towards the end we get our 'old' pal Wolverine back albeit with a new outlook in life and swayed from thinking he has to die. 

4. Mariko Yashida

This is a mixed rave/rant entry. Tao Okamoto may not be my choice to play Logan's lady love Mariko Yashida but she was still a good choice for the role. 

Here's my problem. She was bethrothed to some Manny Pacquiao looking guy. That of course doesn't push through because Mariko gets kidnapped. She later reveals that her first love was the ninja guy which of course doesn't make sense if you read the comic book because they're cousins in the 616. Dammit, them and they're liberties. Still there's a silver lining because it simplifies the plot (although this 'rivalry' was never explored, so the payoff was nil).

5. That mid-credit scene!

Yes stay for the ending as we finally get to see how The Wolverine ties up neatly to next year's X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

This scene is set 2 years after the movie, with Wolverine returning to America after doing solo adventures abroad. In the airport, he spots a commercial for TRASK INDUSTRIES and then everything and everyone freezes. We see Ian McKellen as Magneto talking to Logan followed by the re-emergence of Patrick Stewart's Charles Xavier. 

That being said, I'm closing this chapter of movie fandom and moving on to other things namely Bryan Singer's X-Men: Days of Future Past which again feature Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. 

THE WOLVERINE is still showing. Locally distributed by 20th Century Fox.