‘First Class’ Advice For Bryan Singer’s ‘X-Men’ Return

‘First Class’ Advice For Bryan Singer’s ‘X-Men’ Return
by Josh Wigler

It's official, folks — Bryan Singer is returning to the mutant movie franchise he built up in the first place with "X-Men: First Class."

Singer's filmmaking journey has had its ups and downs — leaving the "X-Men" series for "Superman Returns," only to find that his vision didn't quite fly with mainstream moviegoers — but all of those experiences should only help the director as he settles back in for his take on Cyclops, Jean Grey and Professor Xavier's other gifted youths.

Still, here's hoping that Singer keeps the following few things in mind as he begins preparations on "First Class."

CHANGING HISTORY: While "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," set decades before Singer's first film, reflected the continuity of the initial "X-Men" trilogy, I hope that Singer realizes he doesn't have to adhere to that cinematic continuity. Story should come first and foremost, whether or not that means he has to break away from the universe established in the first three "X-Men" films.

ROSTER SHAKE-UPS: In an interview with Variety, Singer said that "First Class" would feature some familiar mutants, though he wasn't ready to reveal which ones. I'm all for the director swapping out some of the expected mutants — Cyclops and Jean, for example — if it serves the plot, but he shouldn't be afraid to include them, either. Singer doesn't have to be married to the previous casting of actors like Tim Pocock as Scott Summers, if he doesn't feel they have the right stuff to carry a film.

FALL OF THE LEADERS: Singer also said that "First Class" would depict the formative years of Xavier's school and his subsequent falling out with Magneto, the both of them aged in their late 20s, which essentially means that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen have to sit this one out. I'm fine with that, actually. It would be far too expensive to de-age Stewart and McKellen for an entire film; that budget could be spent far better elsewhere, which brings us to...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: A major criticism against Singer's "Superman" was an extraordinary lack of action-packed moments. That same mistake cannot be made on Singer's return to "X-Men." This is a franchise with a lot of heart and story potential, yes, but let's not forget we're talking about mutants with mutant powers. Singer is an amazing action director when he lets himself go — that absolutely has to be the case on this film.

MOST OF ALL: This is a young "X-Men" tale, so Singer has the freedom to have fun and keep things light — while taking the subject matter seriously, of course. Lauren Shuler Donner's suggestion of taking a "Harry Potter" approach is an amazing guideline that the returning filmmaker should keep mindful of. However he wants to make this movie — new team members, recasting characters, what have you — the most important thing Singer has to do is have some fun and make an enjoyable movie.