Rose Byrne & Oliver Platt Answer Fan Questions About X-Men: First Class
Posted 03.30.11 by BrentJS
Comic book movie fans were once again given the unique opportunity to query the stars of director Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class through the "X-Perts" feature on the movie's official Facebook page. Previous Q&As have netted some revealing answers from producer Bryan Singer and from Nicholas Hoult, who plays Henry "Hank" McCoy, aka Beast. The latest "X-Perts" to answer fan questions are Rose Byrne and Oliver Platt, who play Dr. Moira MacTaggert and the mysterious Man in Black, respectively, in the highly anticipated prequel to the X-Men trilogy of movies.
Below are select passages from the Q&A with Rose Byrne, in which she discusses playing a "female pioneer in a time when misogyny was alive." You can read the full Q&A here.
Q: In the comics Moira MacTaggert has been the love interest of both Charles Xavier [played by James McAvoy] and Sean Cassidy (Banshee) [Caleb Landry Jones] Are these relationships explored in the script?
Rose Byrne: We explore the relationship of Moira and Charles but not with Banshee—at least not yet!
Q: Moira didn't have the accent in Last Stand, so I can only assume she won't be having it in First Class?
RB: No, Matthew Vaughn was adamant she be American—despite James McAvoy's slight disappointment as he is Scottish.
Q: Dr. MacTaggert is a unique, strong, yet powerless human in a world full of mutants. What was your favorite part about playing her?
RB: Her fashion sense…kidding. It was great to play the role of a true female pioneer in a time when misogyny was alive and well and to play someone so devoted and passionate about the mutant community—a cause that stands as a great metaphor—that we can all co-exist peacefully and progressively.
And here are select passages from the Q&A with Platt, in which he finally reveals who the Man in Black really is. You can read the full Q&A here.
Q: Here's the question we all want to know. Who exactly is the Man in Black?
Oliver PLatt: The Man In Black runs a super secret division of the CIA devoted to investigating the application of mental telepathy and paranormal power in military defense. He has long been a laughing stock of the Agency because of this. His department is known as 'Division X'.
Q: How does your character fit into the mutant universe?
OP: When Charles and Mystique [Jennifer Lawrence] become ensnared with the Agency, the Man in Black diverts them to his division with a deft bureaucratic sleight of hand. Erik [aka Magneto (Michael Fassbender)] soon joins them and The X-Men flourish under MIB's protection.
Q: If you had a mutant power what would it be and why?
OP: If I had a mutant power it would be to plant ideas in powerful people's minds.
Q: Are you a fan of comics or of comic-based movies? If so, which ones?
OP: Grew up with Superman, Batman, Green Hornet, Asterix (yes he's a superhero!!). Love the new Batman and Iron Man flicks.
Facebook members who "like" X-Men Movies can now submit their own questions for the next two "X-Perts" cast members, Caleb Landry Jones and Edi Gathegi. The deadline for questions is April 6th.
The story for X-Men: First Class was conceived by Singer and the screenplay was written by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass). The cast also includes Lucas Till as the young mutant Havok and Kevin Bacon as the villainous leader of the Hellfire Club, Sebastian Shaw.
Next Showing: X-Men: First Class opens June 3