“We’re gonna outdo the Avengers!” Maybe no one actually said that over at Fox, but we can’t help but imagine somebody is thinking it. “X-Men: Days Of Future Past” is currently filming, and even though it just had it’s release date moved up two months, casting on the movie continues and we’re not just talking small, minor roles. Nope, we’re talking about significant parts in a production that still has a way to go before wrapping.
The latest to come on aboard is Josh Helman, a rising Australian actor who has been seen thus far in “Animal Kingdom” and “Jack Reacher,” and has “Mad Max: Fury Road” on the horizon. But as The Wrap reveals, his role in ‘X-Men’ — while being kept secret — “may prove significant given that the actor is expected on set for several weeks.” Really? Another main character being tossed into the mix this late in the game? Doesn’t this movie have enough characters already?
Let’s not forgot that already slated to appear in some capacity: Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Halle Berry, Daniel Cudmore, James Marsden and god knows who else. So, just how is the movie going to fit all of these folks in without making it seem like the worst case of cinematic fan-service ever created?
Is ‘Days Of Future Past’ basically going to be the “This Is The End” of superhero flicks? Are we gonna see most of those names above for five seconds (like we did Rihanna, Jason Segel, Aziz Ansari, Michael Cera etc), before the story narrows the focus back to McAvoy, Fassbender and Lawrence? Or is this the “Nashville” of nerd flicks, with a never ending sea of chatter and explosions and scenes of ensembles of people doing things? Either way, at least from this far out, ‘Days Of Future Past’ seems bloated beyond belief, but maybe Bryan Singer will find a way to make it work. Then again, Fox’s notorious habit of rushing productions means he doesn’t have a lot of room for error….
“X-Men: Days Of Future Past” will hit on May 23, 2014.