Apocalypse X-men Movie Continuity Explained!

[Tilapia]

I was referring to the Snyder Universe, which just kicked off. Honestly, I kinda separate the OT/Origins from post FC X-Men films. To me, if feels like they Casino Royaled this thing from that point on, so I'm not looking at past success, and no... X-3 was not a success by any measure. It was a franchise killer by most measure, so we'll disagree on that.

 

[2kt09]

Creatively, it was a franchise killer.
TLS still holds the highest domestic haul of any X-Men movie. So, I'm guessing Brett Ratner's "blockbusterization" paid off in that sense.

 

[Tilapia]

Creatively, it was a franchise killer.
TLS still holds the highest domestic haul of any X-Men movie. So, I'm guessing Brett Ratner's "blockbusterization" paid off in that sense.

Just ask Sony how those creative decisions affect a blockbuster franchise.

 

[Flint Marko]

TLS made a good deal of money. It was an awful movie, but it made Fox bank. So yeah, it was a success by that measure at least.
We know from the Sony leaks that ASM 2 wasn't as profitable as it appears on paper, so the comparison isn't really warrante.d

 

[def28]

I was referring to the Snyder Universe, which just kicked off. Honestly, I kinda separate the OT/Origins from post FC X-Men films. To me, if feels like they Casino Royaled this thing from that point on, so I'm not looking at past success, and no... X-3 was not a success by any measure. It was a franchise killer by most measure, so we'll disagree on that.

If Last Stand was a franchise killer X-Men Origins would not have made as much as it did, especially after being leaked. X3 started the downfall, but Origins is really what hurt. If they had a strong sequel or prequel to X3 they would have been in good shape. But they had an even worse film under the X-Men name. Film buffs and fans may hate X3 with a passion but it was never regarded as bad with general audiences.

Much like Spider-Man it takes multiple films to kill a franchise this big.

 

[psylockolussus]

I was referring to the Snyder Universe, which just kicked off. Honestly, I kinda separate the OT/Origins from post FC X-Men films. To me, if feels like they Casino Royaled this thing from that point on, so I'm not looking at past success, and no... X-3 was not a success by any measure. It was a franchise killer by most measure, so we'll disagree on that.

You are really gonna compare Snyder Universe when the first film of that got a rotten rating in Rotten Tomatoes almost as the same as X3's RT rating? Okay.

Creatively, it was a franchise killer.

It didn't kill Origins: Wolverine to be made. So no, more like a decline to the series' quality but not a franchise killer especially The Wolverine/Days of Future Past even acknowledged it.

 

[Tilapia]

Just to steer us back on topic, it still bothers me that Xavier's return was never really fleshed out in DoFP, despite acknowledging events and characters from X3. We are left with an after credit scene and a completely out of place Moira to sort that one out. The Wolverine acknowledges X3 much more so, but the movie released a year later does not? This is the draw back when you have directors doing their own thing, of which does nothing to improve the stories creatively (just change for change sake). Now Deadpool is doing its own thing, but my hope is its steered so far and clear from the main X-films that such deviations are a non-issue. Wolverine 3 on the other hand, I'm assuming will be more of a sequel to The Wolverine and not DoFP. Obviously the Jean Grey death was prevented but the movie by in large may have still taken place as we witnessed. Will Wolverine 3 be a sequel to 1973? I don't know, but surely another opportunity for further dissonance between films in the saga, which makes no sense from a creative or business standpoint any way you slice it.

 

[psylockolussus]

It was never fleshed out because they didn't have time to explain it or probably they just wanted to skip to the dystopian future.

 

[The Guard]

I love the way they handled that.

 

[2kt09]

It didn't kill Origins: Wolverine to be made. So no, more like a decline to the series' quality but not a franchise killer especially The Wolverine/Days of Future Past even acknowledged it.

It didn't halt the production & release of Origins: Wolverine
(the "let's get away from the mess we made by doing a prequel spinoff of one of our main marketable leads")
because TLS made the most domestic bank.

It took them the movie after "definitely a reboot this time" prequel to acknowledge TLS.

They could have done more direct sequels and build up to a different take on DOFP if the plan was still to get those characters back.
What they did instead is build back the good will and accumulate the wealth necessary to nitpick references.

If that's not a franchise killer or at least a coma leading to euthanasia in the creative sense,
then ¯\_(&#12484_/¯ my analogy sucks.

 

[Flint Marko]

Just to steer us back on topic, it still bothers me that Xavier's return was never really fleshed out in DoFP, despite acknowledging events and characters from X3. We are left with an after credit scene and a completely out of place Moira to sort that one out. The Wolverine acknowledges X3 much more so, but the movie released a year later does not? This is the draw back when you have directors doing their own thing, of which does nothing to improve the stories creatively (just change for change sake). Now Deadpool is doing its own thing, but my hope is its steered so far and clear from the main X-films that such deviations are a non-issue. Wolverine 3 on the other hand, I'm assuming will be more of a sequel to The Wolverine and not DoFP. Obviously the Jean Grey death was prevented but the movie by in large may have still taken place as we witnessed. Will Wolverine 3 be a sequel to 1973? I don't know, but surely another opportunity for further dissonance between films in the saga, which makes no sense from a creative or business standpoint any way you slice it.

Welcome to Fox, where the past is made up and the continuity doesn't matter.

Spoiler

 

[psylockolussus]

Yeah rub it in.

It didn't halt the production & release of Origins: Wolverine
(the "let's get away from the mess we made by doing a prequel spinoff of one of our main marketable leads")
because TLS made the most domestic bank.

It took them the movie after "definitely a reboot this time" prequel to acknowledge TLS.

They could have done more direct sequels and build up to a different take on DOFP if the plan was still to get those characters back.
What they did instead is build back the good will and accumulate the wealth necessary to nitpick references.

If that's not a franchise killer or at least a coma leading to euthanasia in the creative sense,
then ¯\_(&#12484_/¯ my analogy sucks.

Still it didn't kill the franchise. And I don't know if youwere aware, but it was always their plan to make spin-offs after X3. X4 was never confirmed to be made after X3.

 

[X-Maniac]

X-Men: The Last Stand was not a 'franchise killer'.

It was - at that time - intended to wrap up the main film series for good. The huge, expensive cast had become a logistical problem and a financial burden and they wanted to scale things back to a more manageable level.

Before X3 was released, the producers talked openly about switching the focus to prequels and spin-offs.

Their thinking ended up being justified by the problems they had with X3 (Singer left, some of the cast like Paquin and Marsden weren't available for very long, etc). While it definitely wasn't the best send-off we could have had, it was what worked at the time. And this was a decade ago, so I'm not sure why people keep harping on about it.

 

[2kt09]

And I don't know if you were aware, but it was always their plan to make spin-offs after X3. X4 was never confirmed to be made after X3.

I forgot. I let my enjoyment of the outcome of TLS get out of hand.

 

[The Guard]

X-Men: The Last Stand was not a 'franchise killer'.

Before X3 was released, the producers talked openly about switching the focus to prequels and spin-offs.

Yup. Specifically WOLVERINE, MAGNETO and young X-Men franchises. One happened, the other two were combined to become FIRST CLASS.

 

[Tilapia]

So what's the plan after Apocalypse? We go back to spinoffs? The contracts expire after three films. Nobody has signed ahead. Looks like the logical business plan would be to continue with spinoffs.

If the argument is the OT is too old to get a feature film, I can understand that argument. But I still can't wrap my head on how they begin the X-Men origin story with Apocalypse (X-Men origin, not mutant origins). I just don't see them keeping the FC actors under contract and really don't see this developing into another trilogy. It looks like a wasted avenue, using a top villain against an unproven cast with the backbone characters on the way out after this.

 

[X-Maniac]

So what's the plan after Apocalypse? We go back to spinoffs? The contracts expire after three films. Nobody has signed ahead. Looks like the logical business plan would be to continue with spinoffs.

If the argument is the OT is too old to get a feature film, I can understand that argument. But I still can't wrap my head on how they begin the X-Men origin story with Apocalypse (X-Men origin, not mutant origins). I just don't see them keeping the FC actors under contract and really don't see this developing into another trilogy. It looks like a wasted avenue, using a top villain against an unproven cast with the backbone characters on the way out after this.

Your responses are so negatively charged! 'i still can't...'I just don't...'really don't see this'...'wasted avenue'... 'on the way out'...

Contracts can be renewed, and the new cast will probably be contracted for two more movies anyway. All of the younger cast are nowhere near as expensive as the likes of Hugh Jackman (with his $20m salary), Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

No idea what the plan is. They must have a general direction in mind but they never go on about it.

 

[iacobusleo]

So what's the plan after Apocalypse? We go back to spinoffs? The contracts expire after three films. Nobody has signed ahead. Looks like the logical business plan would be to continue with spinoffs.

If the argument is the OT is too old to get a feature film, I can understand that argument. But I still can't wrap my head on how they begin the X-Men origin story with Apocalypse (X-Men origin, not mutant origins). I just don't see them keeping the FC actors under contract and really don't see this developing into another trilogy. It looks like a wasted avenue, using a top villain against an unproven cast with the backbone characters on the way out after this.

Singer and Kinberg have discussed the next main X-Men movie actually, not extensively like they did Apocalypse during the filming of DOFP, but that makes sense because they need to see how this film performs first before they can go ahead with the new cast.

Singer is already prepared for the fact that he may be directing more X-Men movies according to interviews.

Any actor that is signed onto any X-Men movie would be under contract for at least a few more movies regardless how small their role is, like Fan Bingbing/Blink. So the newer cast is all under contract. And James McAvoy and Michel Fassbender want to return.

A top villain like Apocalypse has the potential to recur like Magneto, so depending on how it's done in this movie, it may not be a waste to use him against unproven actors.

The next logical step after a biblical villain like Apocalypse is space, so Shi'ar and the Phoenix Force. That itself can be a trilogy right there, and Singer and Kinberg have discussed about this possibility as well.

So really all you're seeing is closed doors when there are open doors everywhere.

 

[Jumpman]

Your responses are so negatively charged! 'i still can't...'I just don't...'really don't see this'...'wasted avenue'... 'on the way out'...

Contracts can be renewed, and the new cast will probably be contracted for two more movies anyway. All of the younger cast are nowhere near as expensive as the likes of Hugh Jackman (with his $20m salary), Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

No idea what the plan is. They must have a general direction in mind but they never go on about it.

The plan, to me, seems rather simple. The "new" young cast will get their "trilogy" probably. It's just a question if some of the First Class cast are willing to come back (I think Lawrence is done. Not sure about Fassbender or McAvoy). Of course, we'll probably have spinoffs as well (Deadpool and Gambit come to mine).

What I do think though is that the next set of X-Men films are not going to feature Wolverine. Donner, Singer, and Kinberg have basically confirmed that they can't see anyone playing Wolverine in the future, so here's their chance to show that this franchise is more than Wolverine and I know hardcore fans are going to be happy with that because they've been screaming it since X2.

For me, when Jackman finishes with WOLVERINE 3, I'm done with X-Men. Not because I hate it or anything but, for me, he was always the anchor and I just don't see myself watching more X-Men films and he's not somehow around. With APOCALYPSE and WOLVERINE 3, the Singerverse will be "officially, unofficially" done for me.

 

[Jumpman]

Also, with Kinberg confirming that the "new" future at the end of DAYS is basically, more or less, where they end up, we kind of know the ending to this new cast, don't we?

 

[Tilapia]

Also, with Kinberg confirming that the "new" future at the end of DAYS is basically, more or less, where they end up, we kind of know the ending to this new cast, don't we?

Until Singer contradicted that as well, but I'm going with Kinberg on that one. No other way around it, unless you introduce yet another timeline, which is possible (see Terminator monstrosity).

OT but news worthy

————-
Memo to film staff from Jim Gianopulos:

Dear Colleagues,

As we all know, the film industry is facing many significant changes, and we are no exception. While we continue to succeed on many fronts, such as garnering an extraordinary 30 Academy Awards nominations and; last year, setting an all-time industry box office record, we must be cognizant of the industry’s transformation and position ourselves to continue our success in this new environment. To that end, we are reviewing our organizational structure and looking at potential cost reductions to position us for sustained future growth.

As we embark on this review, we are taking the opportunity to offer 20th Century Fox colleagues who have extended tenure an enhanced benefit package if they elect to voluntarily resign from the company effective at the end of May 2016. Colleagues who are eligible for this program will receive a confidential email with the details of the offer. The program is completely voluntary, and these offers are being made to recognize the significant contributions our colleagues have made during their time at the studio.

This comes at a time that is both exciting and challenging for the company. We are the best at what we do and will continue to excel, but we also have to be fearless about transforming, and embrace both change and opportunity. If we structure our organization for the media world ahead of us, we will continue to thrive and make 20th Century Fox a stronger and more agile company going forward.

Thank you for your continued contribution and dedication.

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/fox-cuts-memors-250-million-1201693884/

 

[BoredGuy]

oh they did not just quote Wolverine in their 'voluntary early retirement' memo

 

[Tilapia]

oh they did not just quote Wolverine in their 'voluntary early retirement' memo

Let's face it, end of May 2016 = entire Apocaylpse crew getting the axe, or "resigning". Better luck next year kiddos ;-)

 

[X-Maniac]

Also, with Kinberg confirming that the "new" future at the end of DAYS is basically, more or less, where they end up, we kind of know the ending to this new cast, don't we?

Well, I hardly think they are going to kill off main characters like Jean, Cyclops, Storm, Xavier and Beast.

Look how upset fans were when Xavier, Cyclops and Jean died in X-Men: The Last Stand.

If we hadn't seen the 'new future' we'd then assume the existing bad future of X3 had still happened, and thus know that Cyclops and Jean died horribly and Xavier disintegrated but somehow survived.

 

[Tilapia]

You would assume, but it could have been explained better. If the time travel from DoFP had awoken Apocalypse earlier in the new timeline, Xavier may not have placed the mind blocks on Jean that screwed everything over. That's exactly what I think they will use to explain the DoFP ending. Jean goes halfway Phoenix at some point here but doesn't fly off into the Heavens because Apocaylpse will return at some point. That's why they could have made this a two parter with a future story. There may be some space element later in the series that requires full Phoenix to emerge.

What I predict will happen, they take a 3-4 year break from ensembles (Honestly I see them waiting until after Star Wars and Infinity War finish up, so summer 2020), then load up with a Jlawless FC crew and the new cast. The new trilogy will feature Apocalypse as more of a background villain like Sauron in LoTR, culminating in a space epic that will unleash full Phoenix by the third film. Magneto will have a role in one of the films if not two, but won't be in all three. They would need McAvoy to basically RDJ it for another 3-4 films. Not sure he wants to go bald that long though.