The X-Men Thread

[MaconMajr]

This thing has been on my mind for a very long time.

I am an X-Men fan.

Since the premiere of the animated series in 1992.

I studied the comic chronlogy next a few years later

Then in 2000, when the first movie premiered, I thought it was so-so.

But after seeing it a second time on FOX, I came to enjoy it.

Then I waited for X2 X-Men United. Saw it. Liked it.

Then came the day X3 came out...

I was greatly disappointed. Instead of providing a worthy trilogy, Fox had to go and muck it all up.

The only good thing was the casting of Kelsey Grammar as Henry McCoy/Beast

Didn't bother with Origins Wolverine. And when it began to be TV aired, I only wanted to see Taylor Kitsch as one of my favorite X-characters Gambit.

I probably am one of the people (of a great many fans) that bears a serious grudge of the X-Men films being reduced quality storytelling.

Last year I decided to swallow my pride and give X-Men First Class a chance...

My faith had been restored (slightly about 70-75%). Yet, X3 still has left a scar on my soul.

Then, I discovered fan tales and became intrigued to writing.

Over the years, I have accumulated many ideas of media I've deemed worthy.

Some ideas lasted, others not so much.

One, is if we bend reality for a moment and I was a director with a few films under my belt, I had directed or written the third X-Men film

The process was long and the story idea changed numerous times. But after seeing First Class, I planned a final draft and hope others would find it worthy.

For the stuff I would keep: Kelsey Grammar as Beast, Beast intro and flipping from ceiling; President, Staff and McCoy discuss the hunt for Magneto.
Bill Duke as Secretary Bolivar Trask, Magneto building an army, Magneto destroying convoy, Jean becoming Phoenix, and the final battle of epic proportions.

My stuff: Cyclops, struggling with leadership role and feelings for Jean; Rogue begins getting a crush on newcomer Remy LeBeau/Gambit; Rogue gains new abilities (super strength, durability and flight; from delayed reaction of Magneto's machine in the first film; Plot Point Saved

For some of the following I took a shine to Michael Doughtery's planned X3 and found it a vast improvement. So, Jean becomes Phoenix and wants to end the war between mutants and humans on her own terms.

And for the antagonists other than Magento's brotherhood, one word:

SENTINELS

Created by the massive robot MASTER MOLD, Dr. Valerie Cooper and Trask wish to use them as a police effort to contain the more hostile mutants.
Of course, we all know from Asimov's infamous tale what will happen.

I just wanted to get this out in the open. Please give opinions and questions about what I have planned

And I almost forgot the title X3 X-MEN THE FINAL JUDGMENT

The title means the X-Men finally being judged by others (viewers and readers) as becoming the full fledged team they are well known for.

[Johro]

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

The only good thing was Cyclops dying right at the beginning.

Fixed.

[Jennifer]

I liked X3. I thought the way they handled the new mutants was pretty good, and I thought the Phoenix storyline worked well. I also liked Wolverine. I thought his origin story was handled well as well. That said, I've never read the comics, and the only exposure I had to X-Men before the films was the Marvel vs. Capcom arcade games and a few episodes of the 90's cartoon series. But, as a casual watcher I thought they all worked well as films.

[Darth Marsden]

X3 had problems, but I disagree that the film is awful. It's tolerable. I'd even posit watchable, even if they did kill off too many characters and put Halle Berry in a lead role. WHO THE FUCK PUTS HALLE BERRY IN A LEAD ROLE? Idiots. Also, Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut? FAIL.

But there were good elements about it. The ideas were there, and you have to admit - seeing the bridge moved and used to reach the island was pretty cool. And the intro scene in the Danger Room with the cannonball bit. And... Uh...

[Chyron8472]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

I'd even posit watchable, even if they did kill off too many characters and put Halle Berry in a lead role. WHO THE FUCK PUTS HALLE BERRY IN A LEAD ROLE?

[Darth Marsden]

My point exactly.

And who the fuck would buy Catwoman on Blu-Ray? I only picked up the DVD 'cause it was a pound (new)! Jesus!

[Chyron8472]

I've never even seen it. I refuse.

[Darth Marsden]

You are a very wise man.

(God I hope you're a man. I can never remember who's who in this place.)

[MaconMajr]

To all who submit, I respect your decisions and I hope you will respect mine.

Umm I was hopin anyone might be interested in what I might have planned for the third film.

And I agree Halle Berry has indeed fallen from grace. I cast a replacement actor for the character of Storm

Is Kerry Washington out of the question (Remember this is around 2005)

[MaconMajr]

Originally Posted by Johro

Fixed.

I take slight offense to that.

James Marsden got screwed, plain and simple

Fox didn't allow him enough time between X3 and Superman.

Plus, Cyclops needs some time in the light, Wolverine has gotten his fair share in the first two films.

[Johro]

It was a joke.





It was interesting. Hey, you made a thread that lasted a day without being derailed by coolsome. It's a victory.

[MaconMajr]

Not only will I give James Marsden a better role I would dedicate the tale to him, Anna Paquin, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart whose characters I believe were treated unfairly, especially the regression of Rogue. She is supposed to come to terms to who and what she is.

[MaconMajr]

Originally Posted by Johro

It was a joke.





It was interesting. Hey, you made a thread that lasted a day without being derailed by coolsome. It's a victory.

Oh, Sorry man.

I tend to take things a little too seriously

[Johro]

Oh yeah. I forgot about that. The Rogue thing was ridiculous. Now I'm getting mad at that movie all over again.

[Chyron8472]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

You are a very wise man.

(God I hope you're a man. I can never remember who's who in this place.)

Yes, I'm a man. =\

Do I seem at all effeminate to you??


Just in case, don't answer that.

[Darth Marsden]

OK, let's go over the changes 'suggested' in the first post.

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

For the stuff I would keep: Kelsey Grammar as Beast, Beast intro and flipping from ceiling; President, Staff and McCoy discuss the hunt for Magneto. Bill Duke as Secretary Bolivar Trask, Magneto building an army, Magneto destroying convoy, Jean becoming Phoenix, and the final battle of epic proportions.

'k. Would probably be easier if you just gave a synopsis of your improved film, but I'll do what I can.

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

My stuff: Cyclops, struggling with leadership role and feelings for Jean; Rogue begins getting a crush on newcomer Remy LeBeau/Gambit; Rogue gains new abilities (super strength, durability and flight; from delayed reaction of Magneto's machine in the first film; Plot Point Saved

OK, let's bullet point this.

- The double-whammy of Cyclops suddenly becoming true team leader after Xavier's death (which I assume you're keeping, because otherwise why the hell would Cyclops be more of a team leader than he already was?) and the fact that Jean (I can't remember if they were married or not - probably not) died and then came back to life would be a good way to develop the character. Approved.
- Another romantic partner for Rogue? Remember, she had Wolverine and Iceman in the first film and seemed pretty happy with Iceman in the second. I know Gambit is closer to the comics, but the movies went a different direction and it worked. It'd be a shame to change this just so we're closer to the comics. Remember the retcon Smallville did with Jimmy Olsen? It'd be like that.
- New abilities for Rogue? Eh, bit late. Why was there no hint of it in the second film? WAY too much of a comic book-ish idea to work in a live-action movie. Again, the movies are very different to the comics. You need to bear that in mind. Flight would be a step too far, and the increased durability doesn't come from anywhere. Maybe she could show faint signs of magnetic powers, but I still think it'd be too late for the audience to buy it.

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

So, Jean becomes Phoenix and wants to end the war between mutants and humans on her own terms. And for the antagonists other than Magento's brotherhood, one word: SENTINELS

NO. Again, this is a live action movie. The ONLY way this would work, and I mean ONLY, is if they were a power-armour suit like the 'evil' suit from Iron Man. A man strapped into an insanely powerful machine. The audience would never buy it otherwise. You need to accept that things were changed for a reason.

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

Created by the massive robot MASTER MOLD, Dr. Valerie Cooper and Trask wish to use them as a police effort to contain the more hostile mutants. Of course, we all know from Asimov's infamous tale what will happen.

Maybe if these had been signposted in the previous films, this might have worked. But dropping all this onto an audience in the third film? That's like introducing some mystical power into the Highlander franchise six films in- OH WAIT.

Originally Posted by MaconMajr

And I almost forgot the title X3 X-MEN THE FINAL JUDGMENT. The title means the X-Men finally being judged by others (viewers and readers) as becoming the full fledged team they are well known for.

Your plot doesn't justify this title, cool as it is.

[MaconMajr]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

OK, let's go over the changes 'suggested' in the first post.'k. Would probably be easier if you just gave a synopsis of your improved film, but I'll do what I can.
OK, let's bullet point this.

- The double-whammy of Cyclops suddenly becoming true team leader after Xavier's death (which I assume you're keeping, because otherwise why the hell would Cyclops be more of a team leader than he already was?) and the fact that Jean (I can't remember if they were married or not - probably not) died and then came back to life would be a good way to develop the character. Approved.
- Another romantic partner for Rogue? Remember, she had Wolverine and Iceman in the first film and seemed pretty happy with Iceman in the second. I know Gambit is closer to the comics, but the movies went a different direction and it worked. It'd be a shame to change this just so we're closer to the comics. Remember the retcon Smallville did with Jimmy Olsen? It'd be like that.
- New abilities for Rogue? Eh, bit late. Why was there no hint of it in the second film? WAY too much of a comic book-ish idea to work in a live-action movie. Again, the movies are very different to the comics. You need to bear that in mind. Flight would be a step too far, and the increased durability doesn't come from anywhere. Maybe she could show faint signs of magnetic powers, but I still think it'd be too late for the audience to buy it.
NO. Again, this is a live action movie. The ONLY way this would work, and I mean ONLY, is if they were a power-armour suit like the 'evil' suit from Iron Man. A man strapped into an insanely powerful machine. The audience would never buy it otherwise. You need to accept that things were changed for a reason.
Maybe if these had been signposted in the previous films, this might have worked. But dropping all this onto an audience in the third film? That's like introducing some mystical power into the Highlander franchise six films in- OH WAIT.
Your plot doesn't justify this title, cool as it is.

Well, thanks for taking the time. I was wondering if perhaps you can give me a few more pointers, such as improving the plot and perhaps giving a better title.

Also, don't be mad, I was planning to have Jean and Xavier have a psi duel in a building. Both are dueling on multiple levels of reality. Jean continuing to use her power begins to glow brighter than the sun. Finally, a psi bolt launches Xavier through a large opening on the high rise and begins hurling down to the street below. Angel saves him.
So, Xavier will remain but his powers will be shaky after the psi duel.

Also, I've come to like Rogue (comic and movieverse). I just want her to improve as a character individually.

Plus, I wanted Magneto to leave on a better note than being cured

I flipped through a trade with Uncanny X-Men #150 in it, the last pages of Magneto believing he killed Kitty were, Wow, his whole world came crashing down. As Xavier put it: "By changing Magneto's perceptions of who and what he is. He came face to face with himself and could not stand the sight"

I would want that as a fitting finale for Magneto to take a break from the movieverse.

[Darth Marsden]

Actually, after doing all that, I came up with this. It's a synopsis of another movie I cam up with based on your ideas, stuff from the original film and and a few ideas I've thrown in there. Feel free to pick it apart as I've done to your ideas.

Cyclops, still reeling from the death of Jean Grey, is neglecting his duties as team leader, resulting in a training session almost going badly wrong if not for the intervention of Wolverine. Seeing Professor X, he agrees to take some time off and pull himself together. At the same time, a new student, Remy LeBeau, is admitted to school, takes the name Gambit and attracts the attention of Rogue, much to the disapproval of Iceman, while Colossus gets close to another new arrival, Kitty Pride, aka Shadowcat.

Meanwhile, Magneto and company have been hitting governmental institutions to try and validate their arguments over mutant superiority. In response to this, the government, in collaboration with Beast, have been coming up with ways to tackle the issue. They decide on the Sentinal program, a series of powered armour suits that the military has been designing. Beast is horrified by this, claiming that the government will use the Sentinals to repeat the concentration camps of WW2. He tries to convince the government to try less militaristic options, but is shot down and arrested, though he escapes.

Cyclops is drawn to where Jean died, where he finds her. She's not herself, and before he can talk to her, she vanishes. Reporting to Professor X, X uses Cerebro to tracks her down, and the pair go to find her, with Wolverine 'secretly' following (the Professor sensing him, but letting him follow them just in case). Finding Jean Grey, Cyclops tries to talk to her but she has a breakdown and turns into Phoenix. Wolverine enters and, realizing she's going to do something drastic, throws Cyclops out a window, leaving him and Professor X in the building. Jean then destroys the building, attempting to kill them both as Cyclops watches in horror. Wolverine recovers, revealing he shielded most of the damage, but the Professor is badly injured and in a coma (y'know, again).

Cyclops, angry and confused about what has happened to Jean, returns to the school and tries to get the team to track her down, but when Beast appears and informs them about the Sentinal program, Wolverine admits that this is the greater threat and the team needs to focus on that rather than Jean. Furious, Cyclops resigns, leaving to find her. Gambit and Rogue have also gotten closer, which sets Iceman off as he tries to break the two up, leading to a fight. During this Gambit is injured, which causes Rogue to fling a metal girder at Iceman, hurting him as well. She doesn't know how she did it and is immediately resourceful and runs off, with Shadowcat running after her.

Magneto and his team encounter the Sentinals and a massive fight breaks out with bystanders getting caught in the fray before the mutants win. Mystique exclaims that she didn't sign up for people to get hurt - this was about mutants proving that they are who they are, but innocent people don't need to suffer to prove it. Before Magneto can respond, Phoenix appears and counters Mystique. Mutants like her are superior and humanity needs to accept this, whatever it takes. Magneto, recognising a new ally, immediately takes her in, leaving Mystique shunned.

The Sentinals then attack the school, but the X-Men, with the team fractured, struggle to fight them off until Mystique returns and uses her first-hand experience of them, along with help from Beast, to defeat them. Hearing about Prof. X's demise, she vows to help the school remember his dream of a world where mutants and humans could live together. Shadowcat returns with Rogue, and Mystique helps her to come to terms with the fact that she has Magneto's powers as well as her own. They bond, and Rogue apologizes to Iceman. Gambit, frustrated, walks off until Wolverine reminds him that there are more women out there then he can count - and he'll be able to actually touch them. Another friendship is formed.

Magneto and co, meanwhile, are taking the fight against the Sentinals to the government, and attack place after place. Even Magneto is shocked by how violent Phoenix is being, but she puts him in his place by reminding him that mutants are strong and they need to prove it. Cyclops shows up and challenges her, but Phoenix is having none of it and flings him around like a doll, almost killing him until Magneto secretly saves him at the last second and leaves him a clue as to where they'll be heading next.

Cyclops contacts the X-Men and once they find him, he tells them where Magneto and Phoenix will be - the primary manufacturing facility of the Sentinals. Although barely able to stand he insists on leading the team, and they head for the facility. The final battle is a three-way fight between the X-Men, the Sentinals and the Brotherhood, and it's an epic battle. Seriously Epic.The Sentinals quickly realize that they need to back out, but Phoenix is having none of it and wipes them out, humans and all, with barely even a second thought. Realizing that Phoenix want far more than he does, Magneto allows the X-Men to get close to her, resulting in Cyclops and Wolverine getting close to her. Seeing both men gets her to drop her guard and beg them to kill her lest she be consumed once more, but Scott can't do it. Wolverine, however, can and does.

In the aftermath, the government realizes that challenging the mutants is not a satisfactory option and seeks out more diplomatic solutions with Beast... and Mystique. The Brotherhood goes off on their own, with Magneto especially struggling to come to terms with how he should best accomplish his goals, while Cyclops accepts his place as leader, Rogue accepts her new abilities and relationship with Iceman, Colossus and Shadowcat accept their feelings for each other and the X-Men accept that they're stronger together than apart. Gambit even meets a cute mutant called Siryn who can do amazing things with her mouth...

Post credits stinger: The Professor takes a breath... and flatlines. Is he awake? Is he not? Cliffhanger!

[MaconMajr]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

Actually, after doing all that, I came up with this. It's a synopsis of another movie I cam up with based on your ideas, stuff from the original film and and a few ideas I've thrown in there. Feel free to pick it apart as I've done to your ideas.

Cyclops, still reeling from the death of Jean Grey, is neglecting his duties as team leader, resulting in a training session almost going badly wrong if not for the intervention of Wolverine. Seeing Professor X, he agrees to take some time off and pull himself together. At the same time, a new student, Remy LeBeau, is admitted to school, takes the name Gambit and attracts the attention of Rogue, much to the disapproval of Iceman, while Colossus gets close to another new arrival, Kitty Pride, aka Shadowcat.

Meanwhile, Magneto and company have been hitting governmental institutions to try and validate their arguments over mutant superiority. In response to this, the government, in collaboration with Beast, have been coming up with ways to tackle the issue. They decide on the Sentinal program, a series of powered armour suits that the military has been designing. Beast is horrified by this, claiming that the government will use the Sentinals to repeat the concentration camps of WW2. He tries to convince the government to try less militaristic options, but is shot down and arrested, though he escapes.

Cyclops is drawn to where Jean died, where he finds her. She's not herself, and before he can talk to her, she vanishes. Reporting to Professor X, X uses Cerebro to tracks her down, and the pair go to find her, with Wolverine 'secretly' following (the Professor sensing him, but letting him follow them just in case). Finding Jean Grey, Cyclops tries to talk to her but she has a breakdown and turns into Phoenix. Wolverine enters and, realizing she's going to do something drastic, throws Cyclops out a window, leaving him and Professor X in the building. Jean then destroys the building, attempting to kill them both as Cyclops watches in horror. Wolverine recovers, revealing he shielded most of the damage, but the Professor is badly injured and in a coma (y'know, again).

Cyclops, angry and confused about what has happened to Jean, returns to the school and tries to get the team to track her down, but when Beast appears and informs them about the Sentinal program, Wolverine admits that this is the greater threat and the team needs to focus on that rather than Jean. Furious, Cyclops resigns, leaving to find her. Gambit and Rogue have also gotten closer, which sets Iceman off as he tries to break the two up, leading to a fight. During this Gambit is injured, which causes Rogue to fling a metal girder at Iceman, hurting him as well. She doesn't know how she did it and is immediately resourceful and runs off, with Shadowcat running after her.

Magneto and his team encounter the Sentinals and a massive fight breaks out with bystanders getting caught in the fray before the mutants win. Mystique exclaims that she didn't sign up for people to get hurt - this was about mutants proving that they are who they are, but innocent people don't need to suffer to prove it. Before Magneto can respond, Phoenix appears and counters Mystique. Mutants like her are superior and humanity needs to accept this, whatever it takes. Magneto, recognising a new ally, immediately takes her in, leaving Mystique shunned.

The Sentinals then attack the school, but the X-Men, with the team fractured, struggle to fight them off until Mystique returns and uses her first-hand experience of them, along with help from Beast, to defeat them. Hearing about Prof. X's demise, she vows to help the school remember his dream of a world where mutants and humans could live together. Shadowcat returns with Rogue, and Mystique helps her to come to terms with the fact that she has Magneto's powers as well as her own. They bond, and Rogue apologizes to Iceman. Gambit, frustrated, walks off until Wolverine reminds him that there are more women out there then he can count - and he'll be able to actually touch them. Another friendship is formed.

Magneto and co, meanwhile, are taking the fight against the Sentinals to the government, and attack place after place. Even Magneto is shocked by how violent Phoenix is being, but she puts him in his place by reminding him that mutants are strong and they need to prove it. Cyclops shows up and challenges her, but Phoenix is having none of it and flings him around like a doll, almost killing him until Magneto secretly saves him at the last second and leaves him a clue as to where they'll be heading next.

Cyclops contacts the X-Men and once they find him, he tells them where Magneto and Phoenix will be - the primary manufacturing facility of the Sentinals. Although barely able to stand he insists on leading the team, and they head for the facility. The final battle is a three-way fight between the X-Men, the Sentinals and the Brotherhood, and it's an epic battle. Seriously Epic.The Sentinals quickly realize that they need to back out, but Phoenix is having none of it and wipes them out, humans and all, with barely even a second thought. Realizing that Phoenix want far more than he does, Magneto allows the X-Men to get close to her, resulting in Cyclops and Wolverine getting close to her. Seeing both men gets her to drop her guard and beg them to kill her lest she be consumed once more, but Scott can't do it. Wolverine, however, can and does.

In the aftermath, the government realizes that challenging the mutants is not a satisfactory option and seeks out more diplomatic solutions with Beast... and Mystique. The Brotherhood goes off on their own, with Magneto especially struggling to come to terms with how he should best accomplish his goals, while Cyclops accepts his place as leader, Rogue accepts her new abilities and relationship with Iceman, Colossus and Shadowcat accept their feelings for each other and the X-Men accept that they're stronger together than apart. Gambit even meets a cute mutant called Siryn who can do amazing things with her mouth...

Post credits stinger: The Professor takes a breath... and flatlines. Is he awake? Is he not? Cliffhanger!

Impressive. Though some not exactly what I had in mind.

You and I would make excellent partners.

Before going into detail, I like to give two more bits of my plan:

Of course the Xavier monologue, which I borrowed from his speech on individuals with great power, of course you can correct it if it seems chunky:

When an individual acquires great power, the use or misuse of that power is everything.
In the quandary of mutants, there is an extremely fine line...
Will their power be used for the greater good? Or will it be used for personal or destructive ends? To counterbalance a chosen few, control is vital and with such loss would result in unimaginable destruction for all forms of life. Regarding the world with which they are cultivated and view, one can only hope they choose the right path…


And near the end (like the film) Magneto is sitting in a park (wearing civilian attire) with other people, at a chessboard. He sits in silence, rethinking his methods, his morals and his life

Soon, another elderly man sits opposite him and asks for a game. Magneto nods. As elderly man moves pawn forward, we see a glimpse of a Jewish brand on his arm. Magneto can't believe he's seeing a brother of his former life. He in return shows his. They shake and continue the game.
The final dialogue
Elderly man: "Thinking about the future?"
Magneto: "Something like that" He moves another piece and roll credits.

Needs work I'd admitt, but better bits and pieces than the whole enchilada?

[Darth Marsden]

I like the ending scene you've painted. Works well.

The speech... it's good, but seems a little wordy. Possibly simplify it a little? Remember, people are stupid, so try not to make things too complicated or they won't understand what on earth you're talking about.