SOURCE: http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---22443,00.html
Fox Drops 'X-Men' Director Over 'Superman'
Fri, Aug 06, 2004, 08:08 AM PT
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The Man of Steel has won out over battle-weary mutants.
The two-year deal between "X-Men" writer-director Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox has been dissolved in the middle of its first year now that he has agreed to helm the latest "Superman" film over at Warner Bros., according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Singer, 38, had been in talks with the studio to direct the third "X-Men" installment, but never confirmed anything. The film wasn't part of his agreement with the studio. Singer is the writer and director of both comic-book inspired blockbusters "X-Men" in 2000 and its sequel, "X2" in 2003.
The filmmaker has yet to sign a deal with Warner Bros. although he is currently working out of their Burbank production offices. He is also developing a remake of the sci-fi adventure "Logan's Run" there.
Singer's other film credits include "The Usual Suspects" and "Apt Pupil."
Fox Dumps Bryan Singer Over 'Superman'
Over the last couple of years comic book movies have become one of the hottest tickets in Hollywood. Films like Spider-Man, Hulk and Daredevil (all films based on Stan Lee comics), not to mention Hellboy or Blade, have all paved the way for a number of upcoming projects that are bound to rake in some serious bucks. However, a move by one director to a new film seems to have upset the balance of another new franchise, namely, Fox's X-Men.
For a couple of years now Warner Bros. has been trying to put together a new Superman film. After multiple names came and left the project the whole mess finally led to the recent departure of director McG and the arrival of Bryan Singer.
However Singer directed the first two X-Men films (X-Men and X2: X-Men United) and was reportedly in negotiations to direct the next one. The obvious problem is that Fox may not be very happy about Singer's choice to go to a rival studio and direct a rival comic book movie.
According to articles from both the Hollywood Reporter and Cinescape's Coming Attractions, Fox has "abruptly terminated its two-year development deal" with Singer and his production company, and will also likely be looking for a new director for X3 since they had planned on releasing the film in May of 2006.
Coming Attractions credits a source close to the situation and although we have no way of verifying this, it does seem obvious that Fox probably isn't very happy with Singer. On the other hand, bringing the next X-Men film to the screen could have been a tough one since some actors have expressed a reluctance to reprise their roles. Amongst rumors, various articles, and some quotes from the stars it has been questioned if Academy Award winner Halle Berry would return as Storm, or if Rebecca Romijn-Stamos would undergo the intense hours of makeup again to appear as Mystique.
All that is obvious now is that Singer has moved on for the time being and as his new contract is said to be a pay-or-play deal, Singer will get his cheque even if the film gets trashed again.
Also left up in the air is Singer's reported hopes to film a remake of Logan's Run, and the roles for writers Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris who both worked on the X2 script and were said to be working on X3.
Originally posted by TheFilmProphet
However Singer directed the first two X-Men films (X-Men and X2: X-Men United) and was reportedly in negotiations to direct the next one. The obvious problem is that Fox may not be very happy about Singer's choice to go to a rival studio and direct a rival comic book movie.
Bryan Leaving X3 For Superman: Equals Traitor
😠
Superman movie
Ok, Bryan Synger is making the new Superman movie, as if anyone doesn't already know, But the fact that they're having an open casting call really bugs me. They still have two good actors who are still well and able to play Superman, Tom Welling and Dean Cain. So the film makers could just wait a couple of years and let Welling play The Man of Steel, or they could let him play superboy, and make a story not surrounding the origin of Superman but "the Death". It would be an even more interesting story. There is really no point in re-making the origin all over again, THERE'S A GOD DAMN SHOW ABOUT HIS ORIGIN!
Anyways, the people at Warner Bros. should realize thet they really don't need to re-do Superman and all they need to do is make this new one a sequel. Do the "Death of Superman" I guarantee people will be much more interested in the story of his death than just remaking a classic. With respect to Mr Reeves they really don't need to replace him as the iconic character he portrayed.
Bryan Singer has turned into the typical director just seeking money and not caring about anything else at all. I don't see any great directors available to direct X-Men 3 so far all I see sadly is another copy of the Batman franchise. 🙁
Batman Forever: BAD
Batman And Robin: HORRIBLE
The X-Men franchise is heading towards the same ending.
Originally posted by Shadow_King
well cuz terminator was done after judgement day. and plus i think he needs money so he willdo this money.
The Terminator franchise wasn't done because remember John Connor's father was from the future so they couldn't stop the war of the machines from happening and if they would have John Connor would no longer exist by the time T2 ended. James Cameron didn't do a sequel because he just simply didn't want to even though he knew there was still money to be made with a T3 and enough story left to do it. Also I don't think he needs the money since hes still incredibly rich.