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Story by: Jack Foley
JUST days after Matthew Vaughn announced that he was to leave
X-Men 3, a new director has been announced in the form of Rush
Hour helmer, Brett Ratner.
The 36-year-old filmmaker was one of two names in the running
for the superhero franchise, along with John
Moore, but was confirmed on Monday, June 6, as stepping on
board with immediate effect.
Ratner may seem like a surprise choice for such a significant
blockbuster, but he has a proven track record at the box office
and consistently shows an ability to adapt directorial style.
While his breakthrough came with the Rush Hour movies, starring
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, he surprised many by changing pace
to much darker, more thoughtful effect with the Hannibal Lecter
prequel, Red Dragon.
And he proved quite adept at putting a different spin on the
age-hold heist genre with his enjoyable pairing of Pierce Brosnan
and Woody Harrelson in After The
Sunset.
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It also helpes that Ratner is a self-confessed
comic book nut, who was, in fact, originally considered to direct
the original X-Men in 2000, before Bryan Singer stepped forward.
Singer, of course, has departed the X-Men franchise in favour
of Superman.
Filming is therefore scheduled to start in August, with Zak Penn
and Simon Kinberg responsible for penning the script.
In what's proving to be a period of hectic activity for X3, it
has also been announced that that Lost star, Maggie Grace, will
play the role of Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat, a new mutant with
the ability to 'phase' through solid objects.
She is the latest new recruit, following in the footsteps of
Vinnie Jones (as Juggernaut) and Kelsey Grammer (as Beast).
Series regulars, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart
and Ian McKellen are all so far confirmed to re-appear.
One last thing, however, Ratner's involvement with X-Men 3 means
that Rush Hour 3 has been postponed yet again.
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