Ratner Is The New X-Men 3 Director
There is still life in X-Men 3 after all. With the walkout of previous director Matthew Vaughn (DVDs), it has now been confirmed that, with filming due to commence in August, Brett Ratner (DVDs) will step into the sizeably-large shoes left behind by his predecessor.
Director of the rather-spiffy Red Dragon, After the Sunset and – ahem – the Rush Hour movies, Ratner was in line to direct the third instalment in the comedy franchise, but production has since fallen apart with the inability to sign up the incredibly-loud-and-somewhat-patience-trying Chris Tucker.
Indeed,
the third X-Men film has been an increasingly stormy production. The
first two were helmed by Bryan Singer (DVDs), before he left to direct the
upcoming Superman Returns (which Ratner was initially attached to
direct), before Brit director Vaughn stepped in. But with his departure
last week, the future of our favourite mutants was thrown into serious
doubt. Thankfully, though, the rocking boat has been stabilised for the
time being.
In other X-related news, joining the cast (which will see the returning
alumni of Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and the oft-rumoured dropout
Halle Berry) are the rather-surprising choices of Vinnie Jones as the
meat-headed brother of Professor X, Juggernaut, and Kelsey Grammer, who
will be hearing the blues calling as the rather irate
scientist/wolf-man hybrid Beast. The casting of winged mutant Angel has
yet to be announced, though it would be amusing to see what David Hyde
Pierce could do with it.
One can dream, though. One can dream.
X-Men 3 is due for release May 26, 2006.
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[story by James Hickey]
