14 DAY TRIAL // When the trailer for the spin-off of the popular “X-Men” franchise was released, fans were more than happy with what they saw, and thought was coming their way. Since then, however, reports of conflicts on the set, as well as of the studio trying to make the movie its own way regardless of the mythology of the character, have somehow brought the level of enthusiasm down. Now, Collider reports that “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is back on set for massive re-shoots.
The official line is that the re-shoots were in the schedule ever since the beginning, so as to capture “certain weather conditions,” but word in the blogosphere is that Fox is attempting to fix what it ruined. This would also explain why representatives of the media, both written and online, have been invited on the set to report on the re-shoots, in what has got to be an unprecedented move for any studio, be it big or operating on a smaller scale.
As a rule, film studios rarely, if ever, announce re-shoots because that would be like openly admitting that they did something wrong, something that can no longer be fixed in the editing room. Fox, however, is an exception with these Vancouver re-shoots, as Collider also points out. “As for the production, everyone […] knows that Gavin Hood was not getting to make the movie he wanted while on set. There have been reports of Fox basically going around Hood and micro-managing like they always do. Example: some sets were re-painted because it’s what the execs wanted, not what Hood wanted.” it is being said.
Of course, there is also the theory that the re-shoots could be a means to bring down the rating to a decent “PG,” miles away from the gritty, violent Wolverine fans are waiting for, and which was accordingly promised to them a while back. Making this a family movie, and not a production targeting the 18-34 male demographic, as Collider points out, Fox would literally put itself in front of the execution squat, while also killing one of the most popular superheroes ever created.
“‘Wolverine’ is important for multiple reasons: first, if ‘Wolverine’ doesn’t go over well, then not only do sequels for that character go away, but other potential spin-offs, such as Deadpool and Gambit and other mutants, also vanish. Second, if Fox screws over a character as popular as ‘Wolverine,’ then compounded with the ill-will garnered by their behavior with ‘Watchmen,’ the geek community will have their biggest punching bag since George Lucas.” Collider bluntly says.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is scheduled for theatrical release on May 1, 2009.