X-Men: First Class Casting Update

X-Men: First Class Casting Update
Catch up on all the recent casting announcements for X-Men: First Class!

Take your seats, True Believers, because things have continued to get more exciting for the cast of "X-Men: First Class."

The film, set to debut June 3, 2011, will follow the formative years of the X-Men and the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, a.k.a. Magneto.

Deadline Hollywood had news earlier this week that January Jones, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actress who plays Betty Draper on AMC's "Mad Men," will play Emma Frost. Jones will undoubtedly bring a chilly air to the telepathic villainess-turned-X-Man also known as the White Queen!

Also reported was Rose Byrne, set to play Moira MacTaggert, Xavier's longtime love interest in the X-Men comics. Byrne, who stars in the TV series "Damages" also seen in "28 Days Later," "Sunshine" and "Knowing," will undoubtedly make things interesting for the young Professor X, played by James McAvoy.

The demonic Azazel will be brought to the silver screen by British actor Jason Flemyng. Having previously worked with "First Class" director Matthew Vaughan on "Layer Cake," "Stardust" and in a brief cameo in "Kick-Ass," the two have clearly developed a rapport that will continue here!

Mystery surrounds Oliver Platt's Man in Black-in fact, we can't even tell if he'll help or hurt our merry band of mutants! Given Platt's stellar performances in "Frost/Nixon" and Showtime's "Huff," though, you can bet he'll wow audiences no matter how malicious or heroic his character!

The young Zoe Kravitz joins the cast as Angel Salvadore, a character who first appeared in Grant Morrison's run on NEW X-MEN. Kravitz may not have many credits to her name just yet, but she's sure to make an impression on moviegoers and comics fans alike with her turn as this interesting mutant!

And on an even younger front, Bill Milner and Morgan Lily will portray Young Magneto and Young Raven, but as to just who the latter is we can't say!

The latest cast members will join James McAvoy (Charles Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Caleb Landry Jones (Banshee), Edi Gathegi (Darwin), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Lucas Till (Alex Summers) and Kevin Bacon, who will play an as-yet-unrevealed villain that will menace the young mutants.

Keep your eyes on Marvel.com for the latest news on "X-Men: First Class" as we prepare for its release on June 3, 2011!

Kevin Bacon's 'X-Men: First Class' Role 'Will Surprise You,' Says Matthew Vaughn

Kevin Bacon's 'X-Men: First Class' Role 'Will Surprise You,' Says Matthew Vaughn

Last month, it came as a bit of a surprise when it was reported that Kevin Bacon was in talks to play the "X-Men: First Class" villain. Which villain would he play? Would it be a known or unknown character?

These were the questions I posed to "X-Men: First Class" director Matthew Vaughn when I spoke to him earlier this month about the DVD release of "Kick-Ass," and while the filmmaker was careful not to reveal too much about Bacon's role, he did say that the actor being cast in the film wasn't the only surprise coming out of his involvement.

"I don't think it would be right to give that away, but he's really going for it," said Vaughn when asked about Bacon's character in the film. "He's really up for it, and he's going for it. I'm just thrilled that we could get him."

Vaughn heaped praise on the "Footloose" actor, and confessed to being a fan of Bacon's work "for as long as I can remember. Calling Bacon "a proper legendary actor," the director hinted that revealing anything more about the film's villain would spoil some big moments in the story — namely, his character's entrance.

"He will surprise you," said Vaughn. "I'll put it that way: He will surprise you with the kind of things he will do in this movie. He's not going to be what you expect at all when you first meet him in the film, you will be surprised that it's him."

Not too long after Bacon was confirmed for the film, we offered up our own suggestions regarding the role he should play. With even more "X-Men: First Class" casting news hitting the wire today, are we any closer to knowing which character Bacon will play?

Jason Flemyng and Rose Byrne Join X-Men: The First Class

Jason Flemyng and Rose Byrne Join X-Men: The First Class

Jason Flemyng has officially signed on for Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming superhero film X-Men: First Class, according to Empire. The British actor will portray Azazel, the father of Nightcrawler, in the X-Men universe. Here’s an excerpt from the site’s article.

“Matthew showed me my costume just the other day. Now I swore I’d never be in heavy make-up again, but this role is going to involve it. But at least they said, “Don’t worry, we’ll add the tail in post”. I am Azazel, and I can teleport by waving my arms [gestures like a cross between a flamenco dancer and a Bollywood star].”

The site was also able to confirm that Flemyng’s Azazel will be red, as opposed to Nightcrawler’s blue-skinned character. It wasn’t clear at this time how big Flemyng’s role in the film will be. In other news, apparently Rose Byrne will be playing the role of Moira MacTaggert, a scientist and an authority on genetic mutation. She’ll be the love interest of James McAvoy, who plays mutant telepath Charles Xavier. We thought this role had already been cast with Rosamund Pike set to play this character, but apparently that was premature. Thanks Production Weekly, for being wrong. Byrne is known for her role in the hit FX show Damages, but recently was seen as Jackie Q in Get Him to the Greek.

We are not clear on how big these roles will actually be in the film, but it seems as if Vaughn’s film will be very mutant-heavy with all the various castings happening. Presumably we will see Mystique being played by Jennifer Lawrence giving birth to her son, eventually dubbed as Nightcrawler.

Here is the current cast as we know it so far:

- James McAvoy — Professor Charles Xavier

- Michael Fassbender — Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto

- Alice Eve – Emma Frost

- Nicholas Hoult — Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast

- Caleb Landry Jones — Sean Cassidy/Banshee

- Kevin Bacon — Mr. Sinister (rumored role)

- Edi Gathegi — Darwin

- Jennifer Lawrence — Mystique

- Rose Byrne – Moira McTaggert

- Jason Flemyng — Azazel

We are still waiting on casting confirmations on mutants like Storm, Cyclops, and Jean Grey as part of the First Class, but also what other big ones will show up based on the origin set-up by the previous Wolverine film, such as Sabretooth and Gambit.

Jane Goldsman has penned the script, along with Ash Miller & Zack Stentz, based on the idea by Bryan Singer. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men. Regarding the film’s story, Vaughn said, “The story that Bryan Singer came up with is very, very smart … It’s very clever when you see how he has integrated the characters into the time period where the film is set. I’ll put it that way. I just don’t want to give it away. … It’s a very clever way of getting these characters involved in recent history, in recent world events.” It has also been confirmed that it is a prequel to the first three movies.

Oliver Platt Joins 'X-Men: First Class'

Oliver Platt Joins 'X-Men: First Class'

EXCLUSIVE: Add Oliver Platt to the cast of X-Men: First Class, the Matthew Vaughn-directed spinoff that 20th Century Fox puts into production next month in London. I'm told that Platt will play a role called The Man in Black, who is not a mutant. The film stars James McAvoy as Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Alice Eve as Emma Frost, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee, Lucas Till as Havoc, and Edi Gathegi as Darwin. Kevin Bacon is playing the villain and Rose Byrne will play McAvoy's love interest Moira MacTaggert.

Platt stars with Laura Linney in the new Showtime series The Big C, and next stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway in the Ed Zwick-directed Love and Other Drugs. WME made his deal.

'X-Men First Class' Adds A Banshee

Fox enrolled two mutants in Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class this week. Yesterday, we learned Emma Frost will indeed be part of the "mutants old and new", though it looks like Rosamund Pike lost the job to Alice Eve. (I'm actually disappointed. As much as I dislike that character and am perplexed by her appearing in First Class, Pike was the perfect Emma.) Now, Latino Review reported that Caleb Landry might be playing Sean Cassidy, also known as the mutant Banshee.

Landry is a big unknown to the majority of moviegoers. You Friday Night Lights fans might recognize him (that show is becoming a go-to for mutants) but he's probably best known as being "that kid on a bike" from the end of No Country for Old Men. That probably qualifies him to fight anything mutant haters can throw at someone. If you talk to Anton Chigurh and survive, then what else is there?

[MORE]

iX-Men/i Prequel Just Keeps Getting Handsomer

iX-Men/i Prequel Just Keeps Getting Handsomer

This new Class of mutants is really turning into a sexy Beast.

The latest casting info on superhero prequel X-Men: First Class has Benjamin Walker taking on the role of Hank McCoy (aka Beast), alongside James McAvoy's Professor X and Rosamund Pike's Emma Frost. Rumors are still swirling that...

Amber Heard (Pineapple Express) could grab the role of Mystique, and Michael Fassbender might portray Magneto, but who knows. But that would definitely make for a smoldering cast in Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn's take on "young X-Men."

Walker's best-known for his stage work. He's current playing Andrew Jackson in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, at New York's Public Theatre, and was part of the 2005 cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening.

What do you think? Was it a good idea to cast an actor with more of a theater background? And who else would be a hot addition to the franchise prequel?

Read more: http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b186621_x-men_prequel_just_keeps_getting.html?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=imdb_tv-movies#ixzz0rn2vUUyD

Will X-Men: First Class Feature a Kick-Ass Student? - UGO.com

Will X-Men: First Class Feature a Kick-Ass Student? - UGO.com

Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson was recently spotted with X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn creating buzz about a possible role in the mutant-filled movie.

When you're a director of comic book films, any actor friends you keep company with will always be suspect for future casting. When one of these "friends" starred as the title hero in one of your recent films, then any rendevouzis a potential audition, even if its for the birth of your child.

In this case its director Matthew Vaughn, who helmed Kick-Ass and the upcoming X-Men: First Class, and his pals Aaron Johnson and James McAvoy were spotted heading to the hospital to welcome Vaughn's baby girl into the world. Filmonic.com pointed out that Aaron Johnson could be a potential candidate for Cyclops, since James McAvoy is set to play Charles Xavier.

It might not be too far-fetched. As The Playlist stated, the age difference works. With James McAvoy at 31 and Aaron Johnson at 19, the foundation for a teacher/student relationship is set up quite perfectly. After all, Johnson was convincing as a superhero with zero powers, so playing one with optic energy beams shouldn't be too difficult for the actor.

Is this just a case of friends meeting for a special occassion, or is First Class in session? Let us know what you think.

News : McAvoy Is The Young Professor X In X-Men Origins

News : McAvoy Is The Young Professor X In X-Men Origins

The young Scot will star in Matthew Vaughn's reboot of the popular comic book franchise

Matthew Vaughn - director of the brilliant, independently produced comic-book adaptation of Kick-Ass - has signed up his fellow Brit James McAvoy to play the young Charles Xavier (also known as Professor X) in X-Men: First Class which is currently in pre-production over at Fox Studios.

First Class will tell the story of the beginnings of the saga, before the extant X-Men trilogy, and therefore before Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr took on their alter-egos of Professor X and Magneto, before they became sworn enemies, when they were close friends who worked together with other mutants to protect the world from the greatest threat it had ever known.

Bryan Singer - director of the first movie will be producing and has conceived the story which should please fans ahead of this re-boot but what we all really want to know is whether McAvoy will be sporting a shiny shaved noggin a la Patrick Stewart who played Professor X in the trilogy.

Shooting kicks off in London this summer with the production eyeing up a June 3, 2011 US release.

Jane Goldman brought in to rewrite X-Men: First Class | Filmonic

Jane Goldman brought in to rewrite X-Men: First Class | Filmonic

As with most directors Matthew Vaughn likes to work with the same people. He has used Ben Davis as his cinematographer for all of his films, as well as composer Ilan Eshkeri. Another member of the Vaughn team is Jane Goldman who co-wrote both Stardust and Kick-Ass.

Last week we heard from Thor writers Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller who had been working with Bryan Singer on the latest draft of X-Men: First Class, so it seemed the scripting side of things was pretty much sorted. However, a recent tweet from Goldman’s husband suggests otherwise.

From Jonathan Ross’ (UK TV/radio host) Twitter:

G;night all. The wife is away writing X Men 4 so I am off to bed with little Sweeney alone

Also, for those who need to know, my wife IS currently writing X men First Class. It’s just referred to as X men 4 around the house…

I am afraid I better not answer any more queries re X Men First Class for fear of spoilers and also possible divorce. Thank you.

On May 5th Ross tweeted saying that his “wife has just taken on a big new exciting movie. So I’ll be doing the cooking for the next 10 weeks. Wish the kids luck…”. All of this suggests that Vaughn has brought in Jane Goldman to rewrite X-Men: First Class with him, which is pretty cool. As a duo they work well together (both Stardust and Kick-Ass have 76% on Rotten Tomatoes) so it is looking likely that we will be getting an above average X-Men movie!

No word on whether Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller still have script writing duties, or whether Jane will now be taking over as head writer. What we do know, however, is that 20th Century Fox is giving Vaughn creative freedom. With X-Men 3 and Wolverine Fox gave the writers notes and they had to form a script around them (hence the suckage), but now it seems Vaughn and Bryan Singer are in control of the story with Fox just providing the funds. I hope that’s the case anyway.

With filming expected to begin in less than 2 months time we can expect casting news over the upcoming weeks.

X-Men: First Class Director, Release Date and Plot Revealed | WorstPreviews.com

X-Men: First Class Director, Release Date and Plot Revealed | WorstPreviews.com

Since "Kick-Ass" director Matthew Vaughn previously declined to helm 20th Century Fox's "X-Men: The Last Stand," it was assumed that he was also going to decline the chance to helm "X-Men: First Class." It turned out that he did, but as soon as Fox started having talks with other directors, Vaughn reconsidered and returned to negotiate a deal.

The studio is now happy to announced that Vaughn has been signed to direct "First Class" and that the new movie will hit theaters on June 13th, 2011 (less than thirteen months from now). In addition, Fox has also unveiled the official plot synopsis for the film.

Plot: "X-Men: First Class," following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.

Source: 20th Century Fox

‘Kick-Ass’ director in negotiations to helm ‘X-Men: First Class’

‘Kick-Ass’ director in negotiations to helm ‘X-Men: First Class’

As anticipated, Kick-Ass Director Matthew Vaughn is in negotiations to direct X-Men: First Class for Twentieth Century Fox. Vaughn had received an offer last week but creative control concerns stymied the progress of the deal. Over the weekend, however, those issues were resolved and talks resumed for Vaughn to helm the movie, which tells the story of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the other X-Men in their younger years, played by younger actors (no word yet on whether Hugh Jackman would reprise his role as Wolverine since his character doesn’t age as the others do). The script comes from Jamie Moss based on Bryan Singer’s treatment.

The deal is surprising because Vaughn turned down directing X-Men: The Last Stand back in 2005 after he had negotiated a pact with the studio. Fox later hired Brett Ratner to helm the most successful of all X-Men films while Vaughn went on to direct the disappointing Stardust for Paramount and, just three weeks ago, released the fanboy favorite Kick-Ass.

'X-Men' Exclusive: Fox offers Matthew Vaughn 'X-Men: First Class'

'X-Men' Exclusive: Fox offers Matthew Vaughn 'X-Men: First Class'

In a move that may tilt the axis of fanboys worldwide, Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn is in talks to direct X-Men: First Class for Twentieth Century Fox. Why is this so bizarre? Because Vaughn is the very director who turned down directing X-Men: The Last Stand back in 2005 after he had already negotiated his deal with the studio. (Fox later hired Brett Ratner to helm the most successful of all X-Men films.) Vaughn went on to direct the disappointing Stardust for Paramount and, just two weeks ago, released the well-reviewed R-rated Kick-Ass.

Of course, considering Vaughn’s history with the X-Men franchise, he could very well turn down the First Class offer, as well (sources say the studio is also speaking with other possible directors). Should a deal come together, however, Vaughn would be helming an origin story of the X-Men crew, one that tells the story of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the other X-Men in their younger years, played by younger actors. (No word yet on whether Hugh Jackman would reprise his role as Wolverine since his character doesn’t age as the others do.) The script comes from Jamie Moss based on Bryan Singer’s treatment. Though the studio had wanted Singer to direct once again, the director is only signed on to produce, since he’s preoccupied with directing Jack the Giant Killer for Warner Bros.