After the debacles that were X3 and Wolverine: X-Men Origins, I'm not really all that excited about this. Granted, Singer wasn't behind either of those flicks. But you have to feel the studios have big say now (he even says as much in terms of financial clout) and that makes me nervous. Also, after three flicks, I think the excitement of X movies is wearing off me given the choices made in them: Halle Berry as Storm, Ice Man and Rogue too young, key powers changed (Juggernaut, Leech, Callisto), a lackluster Dark Phoenix storyline. The energy and excitement is leaving, and I worry about the ability to make something that's closer to the comics in spirit and less just movie versions. It might be, too, that I'm leery even with Singer returning, because his weak effort in "Superman Returns" (overly sentimental script, some bad casting) makes me afraid of what he'll bring to a fourth X-Men movie.
******************************************************************************* http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30e7feb16ddb0207ec91e06b9521cbc4?imw=Y Bryan Singer wants more 'X-Men' Director of first two films has discussed return with Fox Associated Press Oct 11, 2009, 09:06 AM ET hr/photos/stylus/61119-singer_bryan_341x182.jpg Bryan Singer is interested in directing another 'X-Men.' (Getty) BUSAN -- Bryan Singer said Sunday he's interested in making another "X-Men" movie and has discussed the possibility with Twentieth Century Fox. The American director made "X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United," but passed on the third installment so he could make "Superman Returns.""Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner ended up shooting that film, "X-Men: The Last Stand." South African filmmaker Gavin Hood made another spin-off, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which was released earlier this year. "I'm still looking to possibly returning to the 'X-Men' franchise. I've been talking to Fox about it," Singer said at a talk at South Korea's Pusan International Film Festival. "I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast," he said, referring to the Australian actor who plays Wolverine. Singer said he enjoyed making science fiction and fantasy movies because they allowed him to discuss serious issues through entertainment. He said the "X-Men" series, which follows a group of mutants with superpowers who struggle to fit in with humans, is about tolerance and social structures. He said he likes to "trick audiences into thinking they're seeing fireworks, but they're learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say." "The excitement about working in science fiction and fantasy is — the stories, if they are good, are about the human condition," Singer said. Appearing at a panel discussion with South Korean director Kim Ji-woon, the American director also said he appreciated the creative freedom South Korean filmmakers enjoyed to make the final cut, compared to Hollywood, where directors must negotiate with studio executives. Hollywood movie budgets are so high that "the risk is too great to leave it in the hands of a filmmaker," he said, adding that he "has a responsibility to help studios feel secure in their investments." Singer made his name with the 1995 critically acclaimed thriller "The Usual Suspects" but later earned a strong following among comic books fans for his adaptations of popular comic book series.
