The X-Men trilogy is one of the most popular series and grossed more than a billion dollars worldwide. After the 2006's last installment, X-Men: The Last Stand, it would be totally natural to assume that it was done and that future movies would all be prequels such as the upcoming movie X-Men Origin: Wolverine (May 01 2009) and X-Men Origin: Magneto (Still on hold).
Well it seems like it's not the case. Get ready for X-Men: First Class. This time the main mutants (characters) will be teenagers.
Like the X-Men trilogy and the upcoming X-Men Origins, it will be produced by Lauren Shuler Donner. Now, the Whoa part, the screenplay will be written by the creator of The OC, Gossip Girl and Chuck: Josh Schwartz. Considering the fact that all three series are hit teen series, Schwartz might actually have a chance. The question is can he handle the action, adventure, sci-fi and thriller? Let's hope.
No plot has released yet but there seem to be three possibilities.
The story might focus on the teenage mutants who appeared in the X-Men Trilogy. That includes: Rogue, Angel, Iceman, Colossus, Shadowcat maybe even NigthCrawler. If that is the case, it might continue from where X-Men: The Last Stand 'finished'. At the end of X3:
- Magneto, who had been injected with the 'cure', was able to shake a metal chess pond slightly, meaning that the vaccine might not have permanent effect and that Rogue's ability to have physical contact with other people, especially her boyfriend, won't be permanent either;
- Professor Xavier might come back in a new body after transferring his mind into the body a comatose patient (who wakes up at the end) ;
Cyclops and Jean might also come back: it was never confirmed (only assumed) that Jean killed Cyclops; and Jean might also 'borrow' a body like Professor Xavier ' Or even make one.
Storm will be the head of the Xavier Institute with Wolverine and Beast by her side.
There is a Marvel comic book with the same title featuring young Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman and Beast. The eight-issue series, was published from September 2006 to April 2007 and guest stared many Marvel Universe' superheroes such as Invisible Woman and Thor. The movie might be based on it.
An unlikely possibility is a mixture of both stories.
There was an animated TV series which run for four seasons and features teen mutants titled X-Men: Evolution. The only adults were Professor Xavier, Storm and Wolverine running the Xavier Institute and Magneto, Mystique and Sabretooth with the Brotherhood. At first, they (Xavier Institute and the Brotherhood) are trying to 'recruit students with the constant brushes and rivalry followed by prejudice, public misconception when mutants are discovered then they unite to fight Apocalypse. I wish the movie was based on X-Men: Evolution, it was really great.
Schwartz was also asked to direct the movie but he decline, so the director seat is still open. I hope Brian Singer comes back. X-Men 1 and 2 were really great. It would be a nightmare comes true if Brett Ratner directs it.