Michael Fassbender is Young Magneto

From: Totalfilm.com

X-Men: The First Class has landed itself a leading man for Magneto – and yep, Michael Fassbender will be the one donning the tin can helmet.

A few weeks back, Fassbender was reportedly considering whether or not to join First Class as Magneto, or take on other Marvel franchise Spider-Man in an unspecified villain role.

Well, it seems he’s made the right decision, opting to work with hot ticket Matthew Vaughn on his prequel comic book movie, which will dig into the past of our favourite X-Men to establish their origins – y’know, before Bryan Singer’s origins movies, that is.

Fassbender was no doubt enticed by the prospect of working with Vaughn, as well as James McAvoy, who will be sharing time with him as a younger version of Professor X.

Other actors who have recently signed on are Benjamin Walker as Beast, Rosamund Pike as Emma Frost, and rumours abound that Amber Heard could be the new Mystique.

X-Men: First Class is set to hit cinemas on 3 June, 2011.

Source: [Showbiz 411]

Singer Talks X-Men: First Class

Singer Talks X-Men: First Class
By Genevieve M. Blaber "ScarletScribe" on December 22, 2009

Singer Talks X-Men: First Class Director Bryan Singer is back with the X-Men, but what does that mean for the next installment in the franchise, X-Men: First Class. While Singer won't go into too many details, he did tell the folks over at the Heat Vision Blog what they could generally expect from the upcoming prequel, and what potential he thinks it holds.

Heat Vision: What is the story?

Singer: I can’t tell you that; it’s secret. But it’s basically about the formation of the X-Men. How they began and the relationship between a young Xavier and a young Magneto.

Heat Vision: Do you think the X-Men can exhaust themselves? You've got the original three, you've got Wolverine, you've got a Deadpool and Magneto in the works ...

Singer: This story would probably utilize some of the Magneto story because it deals with a young Magneto, so it might supersede that because this would explore that relationship between a young energetic professor and a disenfranchised victim of the Holocaust.

But no, I don’t see an exhaustion. The X-Men universe is boundless. These are great characters. And as young characters, they are quite different than the characters we have seen in the contemporary movies.

Logan Vs. Omega Red In 'Wolverine' Sequel? That's The Match-Up Fans Want To See Most!

From: mtv.com
Written by: Rick Marshall

With all of last week's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" sequel news, we asked readers who they'd most like to see in the follow-up to this year's solo debut for Hugh Jackman and his Marvel Comics character.

After all the ballots were counted, the top two characters were separated by less than a dozen votes, and both of them seem more than up to the task of taking on Wolverine when he heads to Japan—or anywhere else, for that matter. Here's how the poll broke down, and why the votes went the way they did, according to readers:

Tentacled Russian villain Omega Red won the poll with 33 percent of the total votes, but recurring Wolverine foe Silver Samurai was close behind with 32 percent of the final tally. With Wolverine originally making his debut in a brawl with the Hulk, Marvel's Green Goliath also managed a respectable number of votes, and smashed his way to 18 percent of the total.

Neither Sabretooth, Cyber nor the combined efforts of the deadly ninja cult The Hand managed to generate more than 5 percent of the total votes, and X-Men foe Magneto barely factored into the poll at all. Take that, Master of Magnetism!

This week's responses in the "Other" category also proved fertile ground for some interesting responses, with a few votes for his son in the comics, Daken, as well as X-Men villains Mr. Sinister and Apocalypse.

As always, readers offered a wealth of input about why they voted the way they did. Here are some of the interesting responses I received via the comment section and Twitter:

- Anoobis: Although I like Omega red more then Silver Samurai, I chose Silver Samurai cause Omega Red is russian, it just woulnd't make sense for him to be in Japan without altering his origins completly.

- Toast-Jammer: How about Wendigo? I think the Hand would be decent in the next movie, and I could see an argument being made that Sabertooth should always show up in a Wolverine movie, but I don't know who the big bad should be next time around. Hulk would be fun, but for my money... WEN-DI-GO! .... I doubt that they'll do Omega Red, since they've got Whiplash in the new Iron Man movie. Russian dude with whips? It's been done.

- @chandlerfan: which villain would i like to see in wolverine 2.i would love to see cyber.they have an interesting history

- john@themovies: I voted for Omega Red, who's a true patriot. With his adamanium tentacles up against Wolverine. WAUW! But I also find that the Silver Samurai would play a big role in the movie. Because Wolverine learns the meaning of honor in Japan. It's a whole different world for him. In that world, the Silver Samurai thinks he's a man of honor. In the wrongs he does, he thinks the honor justifice the goals, or something like that. And last but not least, I would like to see Sun Fire, the Japanese hero. I heard that Jackie Chan would like to get a role in a Marvel movie, LOL Sun Fire would do great. Think about it. When Wolverine 2 comes out, Captain America will already been on the screen. Sun Fire is like the national Japanees hero, sort of. Lady Deathstryke? Didn't she died in X-2? They would have to resurrect her in a believable way... Me, I'm for Omega Red, Silver Samurai and Sun Fire. Well, we'll see...

So, there you have it! Keep it locked to Splash Page tomorrow for the next weekly poll!

So Has X-Men Origins: Magneto Found It's Director?

From: originalsharpsays.com
Written by: Craig Sharp

Despite the critisism the film has recieved, it would be difficult for anybody to try and claim that X-Men Origins: Wolverine hasn't been a massive commercial success. As we already know this has resulted in a "Deadpool" movie being green-lit and a "Gambit" movie moving forward. But what about the "Magneto" movie that was promised back when Wolverine was first announced?

Well, if the update over at IMDB is to be beleived, X-Men Origins: Magneto may well have found both a new lease of life, and a new director to boot!

James McTeigue, who only days ago was announced as the new director of Conan, has now been listed on IMDB on being "in talks" over the Magneto film, replacing David S Goyer who had long been thought to be helming the project.

Goyer's original treatment, whilst being a fair attempt, shared many of the same elements as X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

For example, the story included Nazi scientists performing experiments on Magneto and the other mutants in the concentration camp to try to harness their abilities. William Stryker anyone? Exactly.

I would imagine that now a new director is being sought after, a script rewrite is just around the corner. Who knows? Magneto's story may now set up some of the characters seen in Wolverine's recent adventure. After all, William Stryker's story still needs to be told. He did take his son to Xavier and Magneto's school after all...

X-Men Spinoffs: Deadpool, Storm & Gambit With Rogue? - Screen Rant

X-Men Spinoffs: Deadpool, Storm & Gambit With Rogue? - Screen Rant
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As we enter the aftermath of the opening weekend of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the discussions of spinoffs and sequels hit full throttle.

We’ve heard for a while now about the internal discussions at Fox about the many possible films that can branch out from the series so far. These include X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2, Deadpool, X-Men: First Class, X-Men Origins: Magneto and a Gambit solo.

Well, what’s it going to be?

With Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine origins movie banking nearly $160 Million worldwide this weekend, we can expect to see some green lights on upcoming Fox productions in the X-Men franchise.

For now, let’s talk about what the actors want to see in the future. The other day, I wrote about Ryan Reynolds and his desire to not only have his own Deadpool solo movie, but to feature the character Cable as his opposite in the film. I’m all for that idea as I thought Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in the Wolverine movie was one of the best parts (pre-Weapon XI that is).

For those who don’t know the character, Cable is the son of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Madelyne Pryor (Jean Grey’s clone) who was taken to the future only to return as a much older and hardened mutant. This will certainly not be his origin if he is ever to appear in the movies. At least, not until the X-Men franchise is rebooted in the not-too-distant future.

I also thought that Cable would be a good character to introduce into the X-franchise and I proposed that a good place for his introduction would be in X-Men: First Class as it will bring back major characters Cyclops and Jean Grey back into the mix (and possibly Emma Frost). That way, Cable would known by audiences by the time Deadpool is made.

So, out of the solo possibilities, Deadpool seems a more likely choice than Gambit, if not for the fact Ryan Reynolds has significantly more star power than Taylor Kitsch.

As for Gambit, he is one of my favorite characters from the comics and of the classic nineties animated series. In the movie, he does not earn such praise from me.

While Gambit is a cool character and Taylor Kitsch a good actor, together they do not meet the basic needs of what many fans of the character want. Gambit needs his Cajun accent and his French catch-phrases – that is essential.

In the comments section of Screen Rant’s review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, you may have seen my review of the movie where I discuss a few of the characters. In it, I talk about how Gambit came off as some cocky southern kid and didn’t have the coolness or suave that the real Gambit puts forth. He wasn’t a bad character in the movie; he was just a weak character who could jump 50 feet high and nothing like the Marvel versions.

Regardless, Gambit is one of the spinoff possibilities. What does Taylor Kitsch, the actor who plays him want in a Gambit spinoff? In speaking to MTV before X-Men Origins: Wolverine hit theaters, the Canadian actor of Friday Night Lights fame said:

“I would love to go darker… [Gambit] in Vegas was fun, but I want to go into the Thieves Guild part of his story.”

“How cool would it be to see him stealing things to survive because the stakes are so high?… Of course, as an actor, I’m always going to the darker side, but for him that would just be way more intriguing.”

“Come on, Fox… Let’s do it.”

I always love when an actor is passionate about his character, but I really want a Gambit flick to be really friggin’ good. In order for that to happen, Gambit needs to portrayed more accurately on screen. And for the movie to be bankable, they’re going to need some big names in the supporting cast.

How about Anna Paquin who played Rogue in the X-Men trilogy and who’s keeping busy with HBO series, True Blood? Taylor Kitsch has this to say about that idea:

“There are two things with that — she’s such a great actress and I’d love to work with her, and that would be cool to see Gambit and Rogue.”

“I’d also like to see the charming Gambit on his own and see how he is with other women — see how he is with the women in the casino there, with the charm and the suave and the effortlessness it takes with him… That’s something I’d like to explore as well.”

[MORE]

Which Wolverine Spin-Offs Would You Want to See, If Any?

From: firstshowing.net
Written by: Alex Billington

Pirating be damned, X-Men Origins: Wolverine made $85.1 million at the box office this weekend. Of course, I'll argue that it could have made a lot more, but that's a story for another day. While perusing around the web looking for some news today, I came across this article on io9 that featured quotes from an interview IESB did last week with producer Lauren Shuler Donner. She talked a bit about some of the potential spin-offs and how far along they are in development. Everything hinges on the success of Wolverine, but with that kind of solid opening, I'd say it's likely we'll see something get a greenlight.

So if they move forward with another Marvel movie, what would you want to see? There are really four options for Fox after Wolverine. First off, the sequel, Wolverine 2, which Hugh Jackman has said might see Logan venturing to Japan in that storyline. Secondly, there's the obvious Deadpool spin-off, which has been buzzed about because the character is a fan favorite. Third, there's a possibility of continuing on with the young mutants in X-Men: First Class, which already has a script and is moving forward. And lastly, while this isn't a spin-off, there's still a chance that X-Men Origins: Magneto could still get made.

To get into some of these spin-off ideas a bit further, I have to say, that the scene in the first 15 minutes showing Wade Wilson aka Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds) fighting off the henchman in the office building with his swords was awesome. If they could make a whole movie with that kind of action, I'd be all for it. I understand that this is why people are excited for a Deadpool movie. Even though they "screwed him up" at the end, I'm sure they'd make sure he gets back to that kind of badass sword fighting action. So anyway, I know I'm at least in for a Deadpool spin-off. But what about you? What do you want to see?

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: May 3, 2009 - Screen Rant

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: May 3, 2009 - Screen Rant

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Open Forum Friday: Can the X-Men Movie Franchise Still Be Salvaged?

From: filmjunk.com

As people head out to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine this weekend, the question on a lot of people’s minds will no doubt be, how does it compare to the previous X-Men films? While I’m sure some will claim it is better than X-Men: The Last Stand, it’s still hard to get past the feeling that something is missing. It’s not quite an X-Men movie, even though it wants to be one. With Fox currently contemplating even more X-Men prequels and spin-offs, they run the risk of alienating their audience and watering down the X-Men name to the point of no return. Are they playing with fire?

Perhaps the question is irrelevant in this age of reboots, where studios can easily erase their past mistakes, but I do think the X-Men series is at an important crossroads here. There are a LOT of characters in the X-Men universe, but only a few that can support a standalone movie. Wolverine makes sense, but would a Magneto prequel really draw a crowd? What about the proposed X-Men: First Class spin-off for younger viewers? If you ask me, there are only so many new characters you can introduce before audiences get confused, and only so many times a movie series can change creative hands before audiences stop caring. At that point you just have to make a clean break and start over again from scratch.

What do you think? Do you like the idea of an unlimited stream of X-Men spin-offs from different directors? Would you prefer to see X-Men 4 or is that now impossible? Are all comic book movie franchises simply doomed to die after four installments? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.

10 Mutants Who Need an X-Men Origins Movie

From: blog.spout.com
Written by: Christopher Campbell

As long as X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a success this weekend (and despite all its “bad luck,” it should do very well), Fox will follow it with another X-Men spin-off, this one detailing the back story of Magneto. Outside of that project, which has been in the works just as long as the Wolverine film, there’s interest in solo movies for Gambit, Deadpool and Emma Frost (White Queen), as well as a spin-off about the original X-Men team as students.

Recently, in another list, we called for an Origins film focused on the shape-shifting villain Mystique, for which we even suggested Brian DePalma to direct. That spin-off is still our first choice, but since there are so many great mutant characters in the Marvel Universe, we’d like to pitch ten more X-Men origin movies to Hollywood (not just to Fox). To go along with the studio’s idea of hiring an unqualified filmmaker (Gavin Hood) for the job, we also recommend a barely appropriate director for each film.

[MORE]

X-Men Producer Talks Magneto & X-Men: First Class

From: Screenrant.com
Written by: Rob Keyes

SCI FI Wire spoke with producer Lauren Shuler Donner over the phone last week to promote next Friday’s opening of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and they took some time to discuss several other projects that are in development for Fox Studios, including the Magneto spinoff and X-Men: First Class.

The first question was simply asking for a status update on X-Men Origins: Magneto for which Shuler Donner responded (responses below edited by SCI FI Wire):

“I don’t know. We have a great script. Honestly, we have all been just so focused on getting Wolverine out that we didn’t take the time to sit down and explore ‘What are the movies we’re going to do next within the genre?’ We will do that. We will do that. We all want to. Magneto is a fantastic script, and hopefully we’ll make it. I don’t know.”

I love the Magneto character and he certainly has an intriguing history to flesh out a nice story for a feature film, but I’m very fearful of what Fox may do with the character.

If things stay on track to what we’ve seen in the X-Men films and the Wolverine spinoff, we’ll likely see a convoluted history of the character loaded with other popular characters that don’t belong. Maybe they’ll throw in characters Cable and Bishop and some Sentinels just for the sake of it.

We knew scripts had been written and in November of last year we reported on the plot synopsis of the Magneto origins story. Whether or not this movie will get the greenlight however, depends on the success of Wolverine’s solo spinoff. SCI Fi Wire asked Donner if the reaction to the Wolverine movie will affect the Magneto spinoff:

“I think this is partly to do with it, yes. And then we have First Class, which is based on the X-Men comics’ first class and is very literal to the title. It’s the first class in Xavier’s school. But that’s just being written. I haven’t even seen a first draft. And I’m producing that with Simon Kinberg.”

Last year, it was reported that Josh Schwartz (The OC, Gossip Girl and Chuck) was hired by Fox to write the script for the First Class film which would tell the story of the original five X-Men characters (at least in the comics) when Xavier’s school for the gifted first started up. Donner was asked what interests her about the First Class movie and it as a potential franchise:

“I like kids. I did produce Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. I do like those kind of teenage movies; I really do. Part of it takes me to my roots. It’s action. There seems, to me, to be more humor, or more potential for humor. I really like that idea. The relationship … I don’t want to get into what the script is about, but it provides a bit of a lighter touch to the franchise.”

I like the idea of a more focused X-Film with a 5-mutant team but a kids movie? Is that what the next X-Men films will be? I’m not sure what the fans of the comics or previous X-films will think of that.

Lauren Shuler Donner wants X-Men: First Class to become a franchise | Filmonic

Lauren Shuler Donner wants X-Men: First Class to become a franchise | Filmonic
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In February Josh Schwartz said that he was just getting started on writing X-Men: First Class, so we didn’t expect to hear much at this stage of development, however, promotion for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is gearing up and people behind the X-Men franchise are starting to talk. Lauren Shuler Donner has produced all the X-Men films, including Wolverine, and revealed on Fox Movie Channel’s Life after Film School that she hoped X-Men: First Class becomes a whole new X-Men franchise. She also revealed which characters will be involved.

From Comics Continuum:

“It is the first class of Xavier’s school, way back when, so it’s young Scott, young Jean, young Beast and that’ll be really fun,” Donner said. “I think (the plan) is to follow some of the characters into their own stories, and weave them back into the X-Men world.

“And hopefully First Class will become its own franchise and we can follow them as they grow up.”

She also acknowledged that a Magneto movie remains in development.

I’m glad we finally know which characters the film will revolve around, as there was speculation that it could focus on a whole new bunch of characters. While we will be seeing young versions of Cyclops, Jean and Beast, we have already seen young versions of Iceman and Angel in the trilogy, so the famous original line-up probably won’t happen. There is also the fact that a young Cyclops appears in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, so the chances are X-Men: First Class will take place after Wolverine, and Tim Pocock (who plays young Cyclops) could have a good few years ahead of him, unless they recast for whatever reason.

They will obviously involve other characters, including some we have seen before. We could see a young Storm (we caught a glimpse of a toddler-looking Storm in the first Wolverine trailer, however Lauren Shuler Donner said that the scene won’t make the final cut. This could be so that it doesn’t screw up continuity if they plan on adding a young Storm in X-Men: First Class). As it will be the first class of Xavier’s school Patrick Stewart may end up returning, unless they recast Xavier like they did with William Stryker. I hope they don’t though. I’d like to think that Patrick Stewart will be the man that links the X-Men franchise together on-screen.

I’m happy that Fox have chosen Josh Schwartz (The O.C, Chuck) as writer. If you’re going to make a movie about young adults, you might as well get the guy who knows how to write them well. Fanboys may want people like Christopher Nolan (the current fanboy God after The Dark Knight) to write and direct their favourite superhero’s, but writing for young mutants with young mutant problems might not be one of their strengths. I am eager to find out who ends up directing this. As long as it’s not Brett Ratner i’ll be happy.

Updates

The Magneto site has been updated with the little information that is available at the moment. The X-Men Origins: Wolverine page has also been updated with the latest information, in addition there are many new images to check out in the pictures section, and the quotes section is up and running. There are a few issues with the menus not ligning up, but this will hopefully not be to problematic until it is fixed.

Ian McKellen ‘ready and waiting’ for Wolverine 2

From: Filmonic.com

Ian McKellen has revealed to Showbiz Spy that in the event of a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine being green light he would be willing to grab his helmet and reprise his role as Magneto.

Ian says, “I’m here and ready and waiting.

“If the Wolverine movie does well they’ll probably make another one and I’d love to do battle with Hugh again.”

Personally I wouldn’t be too interested in seeing Magneto in a Wolverine movie. I’d much rather see that Magneto movie Fox have been sat on for years.

In other Magneto/X-Men Origins: Wolverine news (possible spoilers) someone brought to my attention a scene that the crew may be filming in Vancouver. Additional filming is currently taking place and apparently one scene towards the end of the film involves a badly beaten Sabretooth being picked up by two familiar faces. One is already mentioned in this post and the other is rather blue and naked. Apparently it will involve body doubles because McKellen and Rebecca Romijn are busy (McKellen is on stage and Romijn has just had twins). X-Men Origins: Wolverine takes place around 15 years before X-Men so they may be adding that scene to link the movies, as Sabretooh appears in the Brotherhood alongside Magneto and Mystique in X-Men.

Of course it could be bull, however the person who informed me has been right in the past about a few things regarding filming, so take it as you will.

David Goyer Says Fox Cautious on Green Lighting 'Magneto'

From: ComicM!x
Written by: Robert Greenberger

Story set in 1961

Despite previous comments from producer Lauren Shuler Donner that she’s eager to get started on X-Men Origins: Magneto, writer/director David S. Goyer is taking a more cautious approach. He told Collider that 20th Century-Fox was likely to await the box office results from X-Men Origins: Wolverine which doesn’t open until next May. As a result, the movie could not possibly shoot until fall 2009.

He did say that the story would be set in 1961 and “shows Professor X (Charles) and Magneto (Eric) as best friends and they team up against another person in the movie.”

His next project is an original horror film, The Unborn, opening next month. His next project is an original thriller, The Invisible Woman. He will also produce and direct the pilot for ABC’s Flash Forward based on Robert J. Sawyer’s novel.

When Boredom Strikes

X-MEN: Wolverine VS. Magneto *Screen Test*

'Magneto' Movie Depends on 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' Success

From: AceShowbiz.com

'Magneto' director David S. Goyer reveals that 'X-Men' spin-off movie about Eric Lehnsherr is put on hold to see what will happen with 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'.

Though updated reports earlier claimed that "Magneto" is still in the work, director David S. Goyer revealed the contrary. Talking to Superhero Hype! on Thursday, December 11, the filmmaker fessed up that the spin-off of the "X-Men" series has been put on hold as for the moment since the studio want to firstly see how "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" does.

Hinting that the script has been finished, the co-writer of "Batman Begins" said of the matter, "I think they like the script and they're just waiting to see what happens with 'Wolverine'." He further explained, "I don't think they would consider moving forward until the movie comes out."

Directed and penned by David S. Goyer, "Magneto" is said to chronicle the story of a young Magneto who seeks revenge on the Nazis who killed his family while befriending a young Charles Xavier. It is yet to have any actors attached to the project. Apart from "Magneto", another 20th Century Fox's "X-Men Origin" movie, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", is on its way to the big screen. It will be released in U.S. theaters on May 1, 2009.

David S. Goyer Goes Invisible Next

From: Cinemablend.com
Written by: Katey Rich

We all know Fox is putting a whole lot of faith in the upcoming Wolverine: Origins, and Hugh Jackman is running around talking about how he'd like to play Wolvy forever and ever. But apparently the studio is being a little more cautious before they greenlight any more stories about the X-Men, waiting first to see how Jackman and his sideburns.

That's why David S. Goyer, who wrote a script about Magneto's early days, won't be working on that one next. Instead, he told Collider, he'll be taking on his sequel to the H.G. Wells classic The Invisible Man. No, it has nothing to do with his widely hated ghost movie The Invisible. It picks up where the first one left off, following the original main character's nephew as he perfects the powers of invisibility and gets unwanted attention from Scotland Yard in the process.

Check out this clip from their interview with Goyer below, including some details about his plans for Magneto's story.

Lauren Shuler Donner Ready to Begin 'Magneto'

From: ComicM!x

Donner and David Goyer Hope to Shoot in 2009.

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner told Indie London that X-Men Origins: Wolverine is “very good. I’m very pleased with it. It’s very much an origins story. It’s very much in the tone of the first X-Men.”

As for the next Origins project, she said, “We have a great script on Magneto. I’ll tell you the honest truth… I’ve made four movies this year and I was so busy that I didn’t at all talk to the studio while making Magneto because I couldn’t have done it. And David Goyer, who wrote and is going to direct it, also did another movie. So now, he’s done with his and I’m done with two of mine, so when I get back that’s my first order of business to say: ‘Come on, let’s go and make Magneto'.”

Shuler Donner Talks Magneto Spin-Off

From: SuperHeroHype.com

Empire Online talked to "X-Men" films producer Lauren Shuler Donner, who talked a bit more about the Magneto spin-off. Here's a clip:

Details of the plot have remained vague thus far, but Shuler Donner was happy to tell us shed a little light on things. "We have a script on Magneto which is actually sort of Magneto and Charles Xavier," she said. 'It's Eric and Charles in their early, early years."

The site also mentions a synopsis that has been posted by Production Weekly, but that is an unconfirmed plot.

Conceptual Artist Gives Magneto Update

From: Filmiconic.com

You know things are a little quiet on a movie when the first update in months comes from someone who draws for a living. Anyhow, character designer Aaron Sims spoke to Splash Page about the current status of X-Men Origins: Magneto.

“Unfortunately, because of the writers strike, it got pushed off,” Sims said. “But they’re now back to the rewrites.”

Since “X Men Origins: Magneto” is still in conceptual form, it’s too soon to say much about it, except that obviously, like Wolverine , it will be an origin story — “where he started, where he got his powers, the very beginning.”

“Remember the scene [from 'X-Men'] in the concentration camp where you see Magneto as a young boy? It just continues from there,” Sims said. “Some people thought that might be too dark, but I really like that. It’s a lot of death and mayhem.”

Magneto won’t be the only mutant — just like in “Wolverine”, there will be new mutants aplenty to keep Sims busy coming up with something to please and yet surprise the fans. “The fan base has a vision of what they should look like, and that’s always the challenge,” Sims said. “It was the same with ‘The Hulk.’”

But since director David Goyer is still finishing “The Unborn” and also has several other movies on his plate (from “The Invisible Man” to “Super Max” to “Baltimore”), Sims doesn’t have to realize his character designs too quickly.

“David’s like me,” Sims laughed. “He works nonstop. He’s not one of those kinds of writers or directors who ever stops. I’m surprised he has any time at all. But I’m fortunate to work with directors like him who I admire. I can’t say no to him.”

I’m not too sure what Fox are thinking regarding Magneto. If X-Men Origins: Wolverine is successful does that mean they will focus entirely on a new Wolverine trilogy? Or will they green light Magneto as Wolverine has proved single character movies can work?

(Note to Fox: If David Goyer is busy directing other movies why not get someone else onboard? It’s not as though he is the best man for the job anyway!)