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Compiled by Jack Foley
Q. One of the interesting things about X2, as opposed to some
comic book movies, is that it really gets a grip of people as
outsiders, something which teenagers can definitely relate, and
certainly your character has a moment when he has to come out
to his parents. What do you think it is that gives this film depth
from that kind of perspective?
Shawn Ashmore: At some point everyone has, or probably
will, feel like an outsider, so the interesting thing about the
X-Men is that the things that make them different, also empower
them.
So that's sort of exciting from an acting point of view, and probably
why the comic book was so popular; people who started reading
them from a young age saw that these people were outsiders, but
also empowered by the things that made them different, and as
they grew up, realised that it's those differences that are special
in everyone. I think the film is really trying to portray that
sort of theme, so that, I think, is what makes X-Men a little
different from other comic book films.
Q. The film has the feel of a middle part of a trilogy, are
you all committed to a third film? And what, if so, you are looking
forward to?
Shawn: It's nice to get to play a character several years
later, because you have a lot of time to think about what you
would and wouldn't have done, and what you'd like to see.
So, yeah, if there is an X3, I think there is a lot of room for
all of the characters to grow. And again that would be fun to
realise what you liked and didn't like about the character and
make some changes again.
But, I guess, that's sort of premature at this point, because
it's not out yet, so we'll have to just wait and see...
Q. The X-Men is always topical because of the theme it embraces.
But particularly with the climate over the past couple of years,
is it more relevant than ever, this film, because it's about tolerance?
Shawn: Tolerance is a timely and timless message, so I think
you can definitely associate what's going on now with it. But
the themes of X-Men are 40-years-old.
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James Marsden....
Q. Are you looking forward to doing Preacher? And are you
concerned with becoming known as a comic book actor?
James Marsden: No, not at all. Preacher is a comic book that
I quickly became a fan of once they offered me the role. It's
still premature in that it's still in a state of uncertainty
right now. When it ever comes together, I would love to do it.
I didn't like comic books, growing up. I never was into them.
When I did X-Men, obviously, I did a quick study and enjoyed
it, but Preacher is a whole different story.
I was obsessed with it, for a good while. It's very dark, much,
much darker than X-Men, and I like that it has the balls to
tackle the hypocrisies of conventional religion and things like
that, but it's also kind of a western. Hopefully, when it all
gets together, I'll enjoy doing it.
Q. But would you like to do something else in between, so
that you're not just perceived as an actor who does comic book
roles?
A. Oh sure, but for me I think the characters are so
different, that it wouldn't have really mattered. But I just
did this film called The Note Book, with Nik Cassavettes, which
is a total actors' piece, with Joan Allen, Geena Rowlands, James
Garner and Sam Shephard, a great big cast, and a terrific ensemble.
So, that kind of changes it up, which is interesting to do.
But I was never worried about being the 'comic book guy'.
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