X-Men: First Class' Casting Call: We See Rihanna And Others As The Junior Heroes
'Gossip Girl' stars Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley would also fit — plus, they have an in with the writer.
By Jennifer Vineyard
There are two ways "Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz can go with his just-announced film featuring younger versions of the X-Men: stick with the world the film franchise has already created or modify it to draw from the Marvel comic series of the same title, "X-Men: First Class."
A third (but trickier) possibility would be to combine the two directions, using the characters as established in the films but adapting them to the story from the comics.
All this back-and-forth isn't just fanboy/girl talk; it becomes necessary for casting "X-Men: First Class." If the film just focuses on the adventures of junior X-Men as established in the last film, "X-Men: The Last Stand," they have a team ready to go. But should the filmmakers want to steer closer to the comics, then those parts need to be recast, because Iceman and Angel would become contemporaries of Cyclops, Jean Grey and Beast — and all of them would need to be younger. Sorry, Kelsey.
"You couldn't use Kelsey Grammer as Beast," "First Class" writer Jeff Parker said. "He's supposed to be, like, 20."
Even though Parker would be thrilled if the film focused on the characters as established by his comic, he said they shouldn't feel beholden to his work. "To me, the heart of it is that young people who were different found others like themselves and for once, they didn't feel like freaks," Parker said.
Which means the characters could be anyone. It could be Kitty Pryde, Angel, Iceman and Colossus from "X-Men: The Last Stand" (and you could keep Ellen Page, Ben Foster, Shawn Ashmore and Daniel Cudmore). It could be all twentysomething versions of Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast, Iceman and Angel. Or it could be a combo of characters from the "First Class" comic and the movies — so you could drop Angel and make room for Storm.
Here are our suggestions for whichever way the filmmakers decide to go:
Jean Grey
Famke Janssen is too old; Haley Ramm (who played a teen Jean) is too young. They need someone in between, and that someone is right under Josh Schwartz's nose on "Gossip Girl": Leighton Meester, otherwise known as Blair Waldorf. She'd be believable as someone who could use a little help handling her extraordinary position, which sometimes gets her into trouble.
Runners-Up: Kristen Stewart, Natalia Tena, Ashley Greene, Mischa Barton
Cyclops
Tim Pocock is already playing a young Cyclops in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (though how he fits in that story, which is supposed to take place 17 years before they meet, we have no clue). So for continuity's sake, let's keep him. Besides, with that protective visor, no one would recognize him anyway.
Runners-Up: Cam Gigandet (who Schwartz knows from his "O.C." days), Bryan Greenberg
Beast
Beast doesn't always have to be blue — earlier in life, his mutation allowed him to be a little more human-looking. Michael C. Hall ("Dexter") may not be as young as needed, or as bulky, but he's got the simian-like cranium and the voice for the job.
Runners-Up: Nick Frost (has the bulk), Emile Hirsch (even if he is a bit short)
Iceman
If Schwartz wants to continue raiding his "Gossip Girl" cast, Penn Badgley already has the nice-but-boring act down pat. Let's just not go to Iceman's home and see his dysfunctional family on this outing, though, OK?
Runners-Up: Matthew Bomer (who Schwartz knows from "Chuck"), Sean Faris
Angel
Ben Foster really didn't get enough screen time in his turn as Angel, but since he's shown to be part of the team only after everyone else, it wouldn't make sense to keep him. Aaron Staton ("Mad Men") is a good look-alike.
Runners-Up: Jamie Bell, Rupert Friend, Adam Gregory
Storm
She has to be beautiful, kind, but in possession of deadly powers. If Rihanna decides she's ready to act, this is the breakout role for her. Who else could compete with Halle Berry?
Runner-Up: Rutina Wesley ("True Blood") would stir up a Storm with extra depth
Credit : Rihannadaily & MTV
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ยาวอ่าคร่ะขี่เกลียดแปล อ่านผ่านๆก็คือจะมีการทำหนังเรื่อง X-Men : Fist Class ใหม่โดยน่าจะทำเป็นตอนเด็กๆของเหล่า X-Men นะคร่ะ โดยภาคนี้เขาอยากให้มันดูเหมือนกับต้นแบบ ในหนังสือการ์ตูนมากที่สุดนะคร่ะ
และสำหรับตัวละครก็ดูๆเอานะคร่ะ แต่สำหรับ Storm หากรีฮานน่าตกลงที่จะเล่นบทนี้ มันจะเป็นของชีแน่นอนคร่ะ อั้ยยยยยยยยยยยยยย เดี๊ยนชอบอยากให้นางเล่นจังเลยย
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THAT RIHANNA REIGN JUST WON'T LET UP
