What If: X-Men reboot

Something that I've been thinking about since I watched the reboot of the Incredible Hulk in 2008, was a reboot of the X-Men movie series. While at Comic-Con '08 somebody asked this very question at a panel with the people in charge in the different Marvel areas, including Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios, the movie studio that put together the Iron Man films and the Hulk reboot. The President of Production Kevin Feige was asked about possible X-Men, Spider Man, FF, and Daredevil reboots and if Marvel Studios had plans to reboot those series. Feige's response was that the Marvel Studios would have to wait until the contract with Fox and Sony were up, and that only then would the Marvel Studios be able to do reboots or have the control with their characters. Now, maybe Feige wasn't implying this, but what I took it to mean was that the fans should do what's in our power to make sure Marvel Studios gets the characters. So should the fans have responded? In late November 2008, Hugh Jackman stated that if the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie didn't do too well then he'd no longer do Wolverine (article here). That was the answer for so-called loyal comic book purists, who complain when a CB(comicbook) movie is butchered from its source, however, nobody seemed to mind and went and saw the awful film of Wolverine Origins. A movie that was rushed by Fox Movies and played off the same tactic of X-Men 3...jampack the movie with as many characters as possible that don't really fit in with the original storyline. Also the acting (besides Schreiber and Jackman), plot, and storyline were horrible and had continuity problems. So all the fanboys who went and saw the stupid film have no right to complain about Fox having the X-Men movies.

Now in 2010, Fox is at it again trying to rush X-Men: First Class by May of 2011! With James McAvoy (guy from Wanted) as a young Xavier, Michael Fassbender (English guy from Inglorious Basterds) as a Magneto, and the guy who played Kick-Ass as a young Cyke. The movie is supposedly directed by Matthew Vaughn who directed Kick-Ass, and produced by Brian Singer. Source. The deciding factor for this movie is that FOX movies is behind it combine that with a rushing of the film to theatres and you get a movie destined for failure. So we are left to wait possibly another 5+ years before we can see any real portrayal of my favorite CB characters.

So here it is, my own personal choices who I think would portray the world's favorite Mutants on screen. I'd keep Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Kesley Grammar as their characters because they did the best jobs and fit the roles best in a X-Men film that didn't have FREAKIN' Wolverine as the main character, and we don't have to do any origin BS! Maybe base the film off of the first issues of the 1991 X-Men comics which led to the Fatal Attractions storyline.

Scott Summers a.k.a Cyclops

Aaron Eckhart would make the perfect Cyclops. He has the superhero chin and jaw structure and with darker brown hair, looks like Cyke. After his portrayal of Harvey Dent in TDK, he proves he's able to play the role.


Erik Lennsherr/ Max Eisenhart a.k.a. Magneto

Daniel Craig was my original choice for the Master of Magnetism when I was thinking about a reboot. He has acting capability, and the commanding tone of the Mags. He also has the villainous eyes that resemble those of Magneto's. Cut the whole senior citizen Magneto crap out of the film and have him post Erik the Red encounter being around 30-40 years old.

Ororo Munroe a.k.a Storm

Rosario Dawson. Although she isn't as dark skinned as the actual Storm of the comics (but then again niether was Barry), however, I believe Dawson could make a good Storm, if she can play a more calm character, for most of the movies I've seen her in she's the easily angered character. Also I think it be cool if they did the 80s mohawk Storm look, it would work and be pretty awesome. Also I really can't think of any other black actresses who could even possibly play a decent Storm (suggestions are welcomed though).

Kitty Pryde a.k.a. Shadowcat, Sprite

Portman is my top choice mainly because she matches the Kitty Pryde of the comic, also her being good looking has something to do with it. In the comics Pryde is Jewish American, in real life Portman is Jewish American. Portman went to Harvard in real life, in the comics Pryde was the smartest of the X-Men when it came to schooling. Although that's not much of a criteria it beats freakin' Ellen Page!

Anna Marie a.k.a. Rogue

Although Marvel Studios already used up their casting for Johannsen, I would be alright with the discontinuity of actress playing the Black Widow being Rogue. When going through it Johannsen is really the best choice for Rogue. The Southern accent would be easy for her to pull off and let's face it she fits the shape of Rogue in the comics.

Kurt Wagner a.k.a. Nightcrawler

or

I couldn't decide between Willem Defoe and Christoph Waltz the German officer from Inglorious. They both are really great actors, and both seem like they could pull off Nightcrawler.

Remy Lebeau a.k.a Gambit

In all honesty Gambit would be one of the hardest characters to cast for a great portrayal of the character and that's why I choose Depp. Depp could actually pull off the Cajun accent accurately without drifting in and out. A lot of people had suggested Josh Holloway(Sawyer from LOST) to play Gambit in the Wolverine movie, however, Holloway's Southern accent is completely different from a Cajun one.

Nathaniel Essex a.k.a. Mr.Sinister

If Sinister ever made it into one of the films, Mark Strong would be the best choice. Strong's performance in every film I've seen him in has been the one that steals the movie.

Warren Worthington III a.k.a. Angel/Archangel

Jude Law

Some other major characters I have yet to think of actors for were Colossus and Jean Grey, just couldn't think of anyone. If I think of anybody else I'll add 'em.

If you made it to this sentence, thanks for reading through my endless ramblings.

RUX and Two days in LA

Back in 2004-2005 I started to find out about Korean punk, the first band I ever listened to was the Pogo punk band the Spiky Brats. Soon after I found out about the band RUX(락스)which the drummer from the Spiky Brats, Jong Hee, was the frontman for. Ever since, RUX has become my favorite band, with every album they release being as great as if not better than the first album I ever heard. RUX is also more than likely the number one reason why Punk rock in South Korea is still alive, with the Jong Hee being the general of the "Ruckus Army" filled with the punx and skinheads of their scene. Jong Hee set up the first real punk label in So.Ko known as Skunk Label (no affiliation to the Sublime label) which he was able to sign all his fellow punx and skins bands to. He established Skunk Hell, a club in the Hong-Dae area of Seoul which primarily played punk, Oi!, and various other underground music, around 2003-2004 however, Skunk Hell was laid to rest at the end of 2008 with a blow out show that was packed outside the door. When I asked Jong Hee about Skunk Hell, he said "I had always been telling the punx and skins that Skunk Hell was our bunker, and that we needed leave the bunker and go out and fight." And from the resources I have on the Korean punk scene that's happened. Punk bands playing more than just two venues and "fighting." This photo was not taken by me but was from the old site Dae Han Min Decline

I received word from my buddy Chris that Jong Hee was crashing at his place this week, so I had to go up to LA/ the Valley to hang out with them (Chris is one of the other few punx in So.Cal who listens to a lot of Korean punk. His bands are Hellking, Oi! Driver, and the Maruading Ghouls check them out!!!). Jong Hee has been in the States for about a week or two, trying to get some details and venues for a possible RUX tour out here in September.

It was a fun and exciting two days filled with a lot of laughs and good times. Part of the trip sucked because Chris had to work most of the time, but it was still cool. First, Chris, Jong Hee, and I hit up In-N-Out for some always delicious burgers. Next Jong Hee and I hit the freeway to go to the Shinhan(?) bank in Korea Town. On the way there we somehow got into a big discussion about Samuel L. Jackson. At the Shinhan bank the security guards were staring mad daggers at us, but hey it comes with the territory. Then we hit Venice beach which was completely overcast and deserted, and a boat crashed very close to the sidewalk. At the beach I learned the basic power chords for most punk songs from Jong Hee, although I still need to master that. Then we busted out on the spot all the punk songs we could think of using those chords and trying to sing along to them, very cool.

Eventually we drove over to Hollywood blvd. which was an interesting event in itself, the premiere for the new A-Team movie was about to happen so there was a tank in the closed off section of the street which suddenly dissappeared. It was a typical scene of two punx walking down the illuminated neon streets of Hollywood, not as many people as freaked out, but still fun. Jong Hee kept looking for nightclubs and shows we could get into for free, but most of them weren't that interesting so we started to walk back. When waiting for one of the crosswalks Jong Hee became fixated with this woman sitting outside of this one curry restaurant, so much so that once we crossed the street he had to stop immediately for a cigarette break, and then cross back over and wait outside for a good 15-20 minutes. I told him he should've used the "I'm a lead singer in a band" line to start talking to her, but he said his English wasn't good enough and he was nervous. The I told him he should've broke out into the No Brain song singing "넌 내게 반했어!", which roughly means "you, fall in love with me." It was funny to watch because later on he developed a name for her as well as made up a backstory. He said her name was Edna and she was German. Once back at Chris' place we went to see the midnight showing of "Get Him to the Greek" which Chris' friend hooked us up with for free.

Next day, we hung out in Hollywood again from about 3pm to 12am, walking around (again Jong Hee looking for clubs). Later on Dori would join us as we journeyed on foot all the way down to the end of Hollywood blvd. Then it was a late night drive back home here to SD for me. All in all a great and memorable two days. It never realy sunk in to my mind that I was hanging out with the founder and frontman of my favorite band! Maybe that's the point though, my favorite artists are just as easy going and relaxed.

My next posts shouldn't be this long so until next time...

And here...we.....go.

I'd like to first start by saying that I'm in no way shape or form a great writer, nor is my grammar the greatest. However, this blog is just a place for me to write about anything and everything without having much of a limit on space, or writing an essay sized comment on someone's Facebook and/or Myspace. It's a blog that will contain my own personal beliefs and opinions (WARNING: some statements made are facts) on various subjects: comic books, movies, music, books, video games and other stuff. And as the subheading states it's also for me to write about any adventures I have. Although most people probably don't care about my opinions I still feel like doing this so there you go. The name of the blog is in reference to the Bouncing Souls song "the Freaks, Nerds, and Romantics" I figured I'm considered a freak to some people, and I'm also a nerd so...catch22.

And right now I'm too lazy to change the colors and look of this blog maybe I'll do it later.