Michael Fassbender and Screenwriter Jane Goldman Discuss X-Men: First Class Sequel; Goldman Updates Kick-Ass 2
Posted 01.12.12 by Ryan
Over the summer, Twentieth Century Fox's comic book adaptation of X-Men: First Class scored $335 million in worldwide box office as well as critical acclaim on its way to becoming one of the bigger comic book movie hits of the summer. A sequel seemed inevitable, but inevitable can be a long time coming. Reports that First Class producer Simon Kinberg, who also wrote 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, was going to write an initial draft for a sequel is the closest Fox has come to an official announcement.
That hasn't stopped First Class' stars from preparing for another installment. Both James McAvoy, who played Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X, and Michael Fassbender, who played Erik Lensherr, a.k.a. Magneto, have separately discussed their desire to return. McAvoy admitted in November that he's actually contractually obligated to return, saying: "if Fox decides we're doing it, then I don't have a choice." Now, Fassbender has echoed McAvoy's comments while speaking to SuperHeroHype, agreeing that he "has no choice" in appearing in a potential First Class sequel, but also declaring his belief that one will be made.
I have no choice. They contracted me for two options. I gotta get down with it. We're at the ground level, but yeah I think there's going to be another one.
McAvoy and Fassbender aren't the only ones who are ready to return. First Class screenwriter Jane Goldman told MTV that she understands the interest in a sequel and says she will be "100 percent there" if director Matthew Vaughn decides to return.
James and Michael brought so much to them that I think it's entirely natural to be talking about where those characters would go next. It was inherent in their stories and their arcs. There are so many interesting places to go.
In terms of what's going on with that, again from my point of view, it's down to what Matthew decides to do. If he decides he wants to direct the next one and if he wants me on board, I'm 100 percent there.
Goldman and Vaughn have become heavily sought-after commodities since First Class opened, with Goldman recently hired to write an adaptation of Ransom Riggs' dark fantasy novel Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children for director Tim Burton. Fox has expressed interest in having Vaughn return for a First Class, but whether that happens or not, Goldman separately told MTV that both will likely skip out on Kick-Ass 2. Vaughn and Goldman both worked on the 2010 adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book, but would only produce a sequel, should it get made.
I think the only thing that is fairly sure is that right now, Matthew doesn't have any plans to direct it. He and I are not currently talking about writing it either. It may well be that Matthew oversees [Kick-Ass 2] in a producer role, and I may also be involved in that capacity. I know that there is somebody that Matthew has been talking to who would be interested in writing and directing that. That would be cool.
We had such a wonderful time making it. It's such a great bunch of people, people we'd all be incredibly keen to work with again. If we could repeat the experience we had that would be wonderful. I think for whatever reason Matthew feels that he isn't going to be directing that one.
Goldman said that it was "tempting" to think about Millar's second volume of the Kick-Ass comic book, but also admitted "whether the movie itself needs a sequel, I'm a little on the fence about that."
Goldman's comments won't come as a surprise to Millar. Last September, the Scottish writer agreed that it might be impossible to secure Vaughn and Goldman for another installment. "They’re superstars now and they have projects of their own," Millar said of the writer and director.
Question is, does Fox agree enough to secure the pair for a First Class sequel?