Hey folks, Harry here. Seems like ol Bryan Singer had a pretty decent time at Chapman University last night, and managed to escape without too many X-MEN questions, but luckily our spy was there... on the spot... with a question poised for the asking.... (hmmm... wonder where he got that info about the $5mil... hmmm...) There should be one object lesson learned from this first X-MEN film and that's not to cheap out on your big budget effects films. From the sounds of things, Bryan is happy with the film he shot and has headed towards the can, but... BUT... I get the idea that Bryan wanted it to be even bigger, and I understand that. FANTASTIC FOUR has been going through similar issues as it gets closer and closer to production, and you often have to wonder... Will the four be that fantastic? And ultimately that's going to be a decision that the execs make... Here's hoping...
Tonight, Chapman University experienced the presence of director Bryan Singer. Singer (The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil) is now in post-production on the highly anticipated, much debated film The X-Men...yet somehow beyond the after effects, publicity, and editing he still found time to speak to the "film geeks", so that they make take a few pointers and learn how to destroy (I mean direct) a franchise of their own.
Singer entered sporting a Ambercrombie & Fitch shirt and good ol' blue jeans. The audience neither paused or clapped when he entered, because frankly, noone thought he was who he was. He looked like a college student, who had just entered the door, and it literally took seconds before people realized just how young Singer actually was.
When the crowd finally did find out Bryan's identity, a plastic smile broke out across the room, and the applause jumped to the highest decibel. Singer immediately sat down, and opened the floor for questions.
Considering the Q & A followed a screening of The Usual Suspects, the questions first pertained to that film. People asked about the background of Keyser Soze, the insane shooting schedule, and the experience with Oscar winner Kevin Spacey.
Then...we went for blood.
I myself was the first one to ask an X-Men question (inquring about that "small film he was working on..."). I had brought up a question about Singer and Tom DeSanto asking Fox for another 5 million dollars, in hopes of completing some special effects, and perhaps adding the beast. Singer, was quick to deny that the beast was in the film. "We would have liked him , but he was just too expensive to create" said Singer. Bryan also mentioned that he had gotten the 5 million but, that was for the effects that HE WOULD NOT NAME.
Bryan continued speaking about how he wished Fox would have given him more money. He seemed bitter, though respected Fox's economic decision in handing out the budget they did. Though, finance seems to have gotten under Singer's skin and he himself said that with a bigger budget "I could have done a lot more."
A comic geek (gotta love em') asked Bryan's experience with comic books. Bryan said that he was not a fan originally, but over the last 4 years he became one. He claims he knows the story a lot better than many fans do, and assures people that his producer(Tom DeSanto - a huge comic fan) amongst others helped him keep in line with the original story.
When asked for actual details on the story (40 years of comics suppressed into a 2 hour film?) Bryan clearly stated that X-Men is NOT A ACTION FILM. Bryan said the story has a lot of drama, a lot of heart, and is slower-paced than a lot of people might hope. Personally speaking, I am glad hearing this. This might mean the movie relies more on story and less on eye candy FX. Singer is no Michael Bay- and fans should be glad.
It looks as if Bryan doesn't have any plans on making a sequel. He said the franchise will probably continue atleast a 3 picture trilogy (not because of story necessarilly, but rather because of contract), but seemed to shy away from even hinting he would direct again. Bryans current project is under wraps and Bryan "wished he could, but cant talk about it."
Heres hoping for a grand summer.....With the demise of the Roger Rabbit prequel, I'm not sure if I could handle the X-Men movie doing poorly. Cross your fingers, and keep your chin up. Bryan seems to know what he is doing, but like Verbal Kint lets hope it is not an act.
Kobayashi
