Both Cinematical and Ace Showbiz report on a “scoop” from Black Book Magazine — that Gossip Girl producer Josh Schwartz is writing an X-Men prequel film. I’ll put this in the “questionable” file for now, as someone sent me a link to Black Book’s original post over the weekend, but it’s no longer there for some reason.
Per Ace Showbiz:
The outing of the speculation has allegedly been done by Schwartz himself when he talked to Black Book Magazine. Reportedly stating that the new installment will be “a prequel of sorts”, the screenwriter of “The O.C.” revealed his involvement by stating, “I’m very well aware that I’ll be bludgeoned by purists, but I love its mythology, and it comes with a pretty hefty paycheck.” The 31-year-old scribbler further confessed that the new film will resolve around a teenager who is attending the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
In addition to Gossip Girl, Schwartz is also a writer/producer on NBC’s Chuck.
Update: Black Book confirms their retraction:
In a blog post that appeared May 2 on bbook.com, some quotations by the subject Josh Schwartz were erroneously reported. Consequently, BlackBook immediately removed the item. We regret the error and extend our apologies to Mr. Schwartz.
Whatever happened to the Magneto prequel by David Goyer and Sheldon Turner? Could Schwarz be reworking the script on that?
Otherwise this could simply be another Origins movie - Jean Grey in prep school?
Comment by Rich — May 6, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
god, i hope they just throw out the 3 movies and start over. forget they ever happened.
make x-men and do them right. and have singer and ratner stay as far away as possible!
Comment by KoozyK — May 6, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
Can’t wait for the prequel to the prequel and the cross overs where you have to watch all 3 movies to get a whole to be continued story.
Comment by Redmond — May 6, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
i really hate ‘Chuck’, i realize its supposed to be a ‘comedy’ but the writing is just imbecilic sometimes so this news doesn’t make me enthusiastic
i’ll check out gossip girl to see that show is any better
Comment by bruce — May 6, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Rich, X-Men Origins: Magneto is listed as “currently scouting and budgeting” at IMDb. No casting has been announced, but the film should start shooting sometime this year for a 2009 release. It’s rumored to be direct-to-DVD.
Comment by Ian Astheimer — May 6, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
Which is to say: Schwartz probably isn’t working on it.
Comment by Ian Astheimer — May 6, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Regarding the comment made about the Magneto movie’s status on IMDB.com, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. IMDB.com makes a rediculous amount of mistakes.
Comment by Lewis — May 6, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
But at least they typically spell “ridiculous” correctly.
Comment by Dan — May 6, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
To be fair, Josh Schwartz didn’t create Gossip Girl. He adapted the television series from the novels by Cecily von Ziegesar.
Comment by Sims — May 6, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
That’s a good point, Sims, thanks … I’ve updated the post.
Comment by JK Parkin — May 6, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
Glad I could help.
Comment by Sims — May 6, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
Another prequel would be pointless, lets make a true X4 already.
Comment by Holly Wood — May 7, 2008 @ 3:06 am
Sounds like a New Mutants movie with a cheaper cast; maybe Iceman, Colossus and some new teen characters. I’m sold if they can bring back Grammers Beast in the Xaiver role.
Dunno how likely Schwartz’s role will be, the original Black Book piece was pulled because he came across as a douche and slagging off one of Marvel’s movies before it comes out and talking about how the pay factors into doing the gig isn’t too smart:
http://perezhilton.com/2008-05-05-get-ready-for-more-x-men#respond
In a recent interview, Josh Schwartz, the creator of The OC, Gossip Girl and Chuck, has confirmed that he’ll be writing the screenplay for the next installment of the X-Men prequels.
What?
Please don’t tie in The OC with X-Men!
The new film will apparently center on the teenage characters at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
Schwartz says, “It’s not like I’m adding new characters like Toaster Head, or anything like that.”
And as for his thoughts on other similar films, Schwartz adds, “The Hulk looks like it’s going to be terrible. And why does he look like he’s fighting against the monster from Cloverfield? I mean, with Transformers, it’s not like fans were going to come back saying, ‘You used the wrong car.’ This, however, is a different story.”
As for those who’ve worked on the previous X-Men films, he says “Brett Ratner didn’t have a lot of credibility going in to the third X-Men movie, but I think Bryan Singer [who directed the first two installments] got a free pass on Superman Returns because of his work on X-Men.”
Ouch, he’s sinking his claws!!!!!
And, the best part is when Schwartz adds, “I’m very well aware that I’ll be bludgeoned by purists, but I love its mythology, and it comes with a pretty hefty paycheck.”
Comment by Greg — May 7, 2008 @ 4:14 am
Has any of you lot actually seen Gossip Girl. It’s a fantastic show which actually handles teen subject matters in a non preachy manner, while providing solid entertainment. It’s also very well written.
Comment by Emily — May 8, 2008 @ 3:33 am
I just want to watch the films when they come out. If I like them, great! If not, that’s one less DVD I’ll own. Its pointless to get worked up prematurely
Comment by Evan — May 11, 2008 @ 5:34 am
how bout x23? that would be a pretty good prequel if done correctly.
Comment by johnny — May 11, 2008 @ 2:15 pm