Is the X-Men: First Class Sequel Going Back to the Future?

Days of Future Past is one of the most revered stories in X-Men history. Iconic imagery, from the cover art of The Uncanny X-Men #141 and #142 to the brutal end a gray-in-his-whiskers Wolverine, meets at the hands of Sentinels. Painted a bleak outcome of what our outcast protagonists always feared – a future where mutants, the ones who aren't dead, are round up in internment camps. Darker stuff many weren't used to in their comic-fodder, even the allegorical X-Men.

It has the plot mechanics common for comics (time-travel, changing the future, etc.) But that stuff is better suited for Star Trek. Exactly what J.J. Abrams & Co. did to reboot the then-DOA franchise a few years back. Could the same be applied to the similar-bogged-down-in-continuity X-Men film franchise? AICN suggests its a possibility for the X-Men: First Class sequel:

"One of my little birds Weapon X recently dropped me some information that 20th Century Fox had recently registered the title DAYS OF FUTURE PAST with the MPAA Title Registration Bureau. The Bureau exists for studios and productions companies to stake their claims on certain titles that they intend to release and distribute, so that others can stray from using a similar title."

That title's been registered for years as a matter of fact. It doesn't necessarily mean the heavy-on-verisimilitude X-Men will suddenly veer in that direction. Too out there for my tastes, and yes, does reek of Fox's way of aping Star Trek.

Weekend Box Office Actuals: June 1-3

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1.  Snow White and the Huntsman - $56.2 million

2.  Men in Black 3 - $28 million

3.  The Avengers - $20.4 million

4.  Battleship - $5 million

5.  The Dictator - $4.7 million

6.  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - $4.48 million

7.  What to Expect When You're Expecting - $4.40 million

8.  Dark Shadows - $3.7 million

9.  Chernobyl Diaries - $3.1 million

10.  For Greater Glory - $1.8 million

Better late than never, here's the weekend wrap-up:  Snow White and the Huntsman exceeded expectations and opened with an impressive $56.2 million.  With an ad campaign that was surprisingly quite cool for this dark take on the Snow White fairy tale, appeal clearly went beyond just Twilight fans wanting to see a non-Bella Swann Kristen Stewart, and maybe a few Avengers fans looking to check out a non-Thor Chris Hemsworth.  Frankly, the whole movie was worth it for Charlize Theron's Evil Queen.  But, definitely a great start for Snow White and the Huntsman.

Last week's champ, Men in Black 3, held up nicely in its second weekend, dropping just less than 50% to earn a solid $28 million, easily passing the $100 million mark this weekend.  Overseas, the threequel has earned $274 million. 

The Avengers remains crazy-popular, earning another $20 million to bring is domestic total to a staggering $552 million.  It also passed The Dark Knight this weekend to become the third-highest grossing film of all time. 

For the grown-ups, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel expanded its theater count and had another good weekend $4.48 million.  Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom continues to do gangbusters in limited release, earning $876,881 in just 16 theaters.

Before we take a look at next week's releases, let's take a moment to remember The Hunger Games, which finally dropped out of the top ten this week, nearly three months after its release.  However, it will almost certainly pass $400 million domestically before that blu-ray arrives in stores in August.

Next weekend sees the release of Ridley Scott's oh-just-admit-it's-an-Alien-prequel, Prometheus, which has already earned $35 million overseas this past weekend.  For the kids, we've got the 3D sequel Madagascar 3.  Or just take them to see Prometheus, if you want to traumatize them.

Iron Man 3 First Official Look

Subtract the clapboard-blocking the $50 million earning neck of Robert Downey Jr. and we're left with a first look at Iron Man 3 not too far off from our initial glance at Iron Man 2 circa May 2009.

The picture, perfectly fine my li'l smart-mouthing aside, is Marvel's way of announcing the start of production. FYI it started last week.

"The Dark Knight Rises" Footage From MTV Movie Awards

Although I was watching the Boston Celtics most of the night, I had to sit through some of Brand's stand up as I alluded to in an earlier post in order to see some new The Dark Knight Rises footage. I would have to say it was worth it. Dig the scene with Catwoman warning the "bad guy" that Batman is right behind him as he slinks down from the ceiling, a nod to Batman Begins. Also, why is Bane so obsessed with stacking cars? Must have really loved his childhood.

Coming Soon

Two "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" Tv Spots

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest President, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the blood-thirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.

Latino Review

First "Ted" TV Spot

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane brings his boundary-pushing brand of humor to the big screen for the first time as writer, director and voice star of Ted.  In the live action/CG-animated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish…and has refused to leave his side ever since.

Latino Review

"Expendables 2" TV Spot

The Expendables are back and this time it’s personal… Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Lee Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren),Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) — with newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) aboard — are reunited when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) enlists the Expendables to take on a seemingly simple job. The task looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries. But when things go wrong and one of their own is viciously killed, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time — six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium; enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that’s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary who savagely murdered their brother. That is done the Expendables way….

Latino Review

"The Dark Knight Rises" MTV Movie Awards TV Spot

Sitting through the MTV Movie Awards is rough, I have to watch Russell Brand attempt to be funny and listen to music I don't even like or understand. However, I guess a new The Dark Knight Rises TV spot might make it worthwhile. Also, Charlize Theron is pretty damn hot. Even if I hear that Prometheus siren sound from the tv spot every time I picture her now.

"Accident" DVD Giveaway

We’re giving away 8 DVD copies of the Hong Kong thriller, Accident, available on Blu-ray and DVD from Shout! Factory on June 12, 2012. If you're intersted send us an email with “ACCIDENT” in the subject line to peterg@thinkmcflythink.com and tell us what your favorite movie related accident scene is. Name of the film with any additional info you can provide. A brief description, video, or photo along with the below info.

Your name:
Your age:
Mailing address:
E-mail address:

Winners will be selected on June 12 and their favorite scenes will be posted on ThinkMcflyThink.com.

One entry per person. This contest is open only to citizens of the 48 contiguous United States.

Accident

A self-styled accident choreographer, Brain (Louis Koo, in one of the most compelling performances of his career) is a professional hit man who kills his victims by trapping them in well crafted accidents that look like unfortunate mishaps but are in fact perfectly staged acts of crime. He is perennially plagued with guilt, as the avalanche of memories of his lost wife does not make things any easier.

After one mission inexplicably goes wrong, costing the life of one of his men, Brain becomes convinced that this accident has been choreographed: someone is out there plotting to terminate him and his team. He becomes increasingly paranoid, not knowing whether or not to trust his friends and accomplices.

When he discovers that a mysterious insurance agent named Fong (Richie Jen, Exiled) is somehow related to the last staged accident, Brain becomes obsessed that this man must be the mastermind behind a conspiracy to take him out. To regain his sanity and to save his life, he must stay one step ahead of Fong before he makes his next move. Brain rents an apartment below Fong’s, bugs the rooms, then becomes obsessed with the insurance man’s comings and goings. Eventually reality and delusion blur, culminating in a wickedly twisted ending.

Accident Blu-ray™ and DVD Special Features:

“Making Of” Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer (2.35:1)

Special Features Are Unrated
Audio: Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English
2009/Color/87 min.

Exclusive Interview With Roger Lay Jr On The New Series Of 'Captain Power'

Although he wasn't able to join us for our regular Movie Moan podcast, producer of the recent official DVD release of 'Captain Power & The Soliders Of The Future', Roger Lay Jr., spent a wonderful 40 minutes with us this week to discuss his involvement in bringing the show to DVD.

Even if you've never seen the show, you really need to pick up the boxset, watch the documentary, and appreciate one of the most interesting stories behind the making of a television show that I've ever seen.

More importantly, Roger shares a titbit or two on the upcoming remake/relaunch/reboot (it's very re) of 'Captain Power'. It really is happening folks.

Plus, we discuss the new documentary on the creation and controversy behind the 'He-Man' toy line, 'Toy Masters' (the trailer to which can be found here). And the Blu Ray 25th anniversary special edition of the 'Masters Of The Universe' movie that never came to be (which you can watch that snippet of here).

Download the audio version only right here:

Exclusive Interview With Roger Lay Jr