Ah, remember when we reported that up and comer Benjamin Walker had been cast as young Hank McCoy, aka Beast in the X-Men: First Class feature? There are rumors circulating that he opted to leave the role to reprise his role as Andrew Jackson in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson when it moves to Broadway. In addition to that, rumors are also circling about Walker’s departure having to do with his…age? According to FilmStage.com, Walker (28) was fired from the role because he was deemed too old to be a student, especially since James McAvoy (the new Professor Xavier) is only 31. That is a valid argument, but the story doesn’t end there.
Apparently after Walker was released from the role, Fox auditioned more actors, but then re-decided that Walker was indeed the best for the part, but now may not take it because of…well, the rumor of him leaving for Broadway. So it appears, Xavier Institute is minus one student for the moment.
There are reports that with the underwhelming performance of Knight and Day, A-Team and the abysmal Marmaduke, Fox is trying very hard to get “First Class” right, I just hope there aren’t too many hands pulling the project in too many directions.
Of course, we will update the situation as it develops.
July 4th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
While I have a lot of faith in Vaughn and Goldman, everyday I lose more and more faith in this project primarily because of Fox. Their grubby hands can’t stay out of the damn pot and you wind up with all these desk jockeys making decisions for a movie instead of letting the creative minds that are supposed to be behind it make those decisions. They should sell the rights back to Marvel for a nice chunk of change instead of putting together these rushed, clumsy and just downright awful movies.
July 4th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I hope it never gets made, I hope no new x-men related movie gets made and I hope Marvel get’s their property back so they can do it the right way, the Marvel way
July 5th, 2010 at 3:39 am
I find it amazing that someone would pass up a film for Broadway. Great for Broadway, but unusual. I guess some people want to be on the stage. Best of luck to him.
July 5th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
As long as Alice Eve stays on, I’ll be happy.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Fox’s loss is Broadway’s gain.