- Title: USA: X-MEN FILM PREMIERS IN NEW YORK.
- Date: 8th July 2000
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 9) (REUTERS) MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) HALLE BERRY SAYING This has a very important social issue that is sort of a metaphor for our life. It's about people accepting people, finding tolerance, being able to co-habitate, and I think that's something that young and old both need to see and both can relate to. So, this comic book
- Embargoed: 23rd July 2000 13:00
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- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, US
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA5HUTMAB80LHKPXXV5LVODDJCH
- Story Text: The best-selling comic book of all time has made its transition to the big screen in grand style - on on Ellis Island in New York when cast and crew attended the world premiere of the highly anticipated action movie "X-Men."
"X-Men" is 20th Century Fox's biggest hope for a blockbuster in a summer that has already seen many unexpected disappointments.
Reflecting this, the film's World Premiere was a lavish affair on Ellis Island in New York harbor, where millions of immigrants first set foot on American soil.
The location was also appropriate because it's the setting of the film's climatic battle between good and evil.
The 75 million dollar extravaganza is based on the long-running and hugely popular comic book created by Stan Lee in 1963. Since then, the series has given birth to hundreds of characters, spawned a succesful animated television program and become the top-selling comic book in history.
It's the story of a group of mutant human beings who use their bizarre yet powerful talents to protect the rest of society, which lives in hatred and fear of their very existence.
The mutants, or X-Men, are led by Dr. Charles Xavier, a powerful wheelchair-bound telepath played in the film by "Star Trek" star Patrick Stewart.
His team consists of Cyclops, (James Marsden) whose eyes shoot destructive energy beams, Jean Grey, (Famke Janssen) who is both telekinetic and telephatic, and Storm, (Halle Berry) who can manipulate all forms of weather.
Battling this group of X-Men is Xavier's one-time colleague and friend Erik Lehnsherr, also known as Magneto because of his ability to control and manipulate metal. As played by Ian McKellen, Magneto has turned his back on the society that shuns him and swears to destroy it.
On the dark side are Rebecca Romijn Stamos as the blue-skinned metamorph Mystique, former wrestler Tyler Mane as the massive Sabretooth, and the man who played Darth Maul in "The Phantom Menace," Ray Park, as Toad, a mutant who can wreak havoc with his powerful tongue.
Two of the most popular and enduring characters from the comic book are newcomers to the team in the film.
For the part of Rogue, a teenager who can absorb the powers of any other mutant simply by touching him, Oscar-winner Anna Paquin was cast.
The other character is Wolverine, a ferocious fighting machine with amazing healing powers, retractable claws and an animal-like fury.
His casting was crucial, as the character serves as the center of the film and is the most beloved and enigmatic in the series.
After actor Dougray Scott dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with his work in "Mission Impossible 2," the filmmakers turned to Australian unknown Hugh Jackman. Despite his low profile, many observers predict this part will turn Jackman into a huge star.
Behind the camera coordinating all these actors is director Bryan Singer, who is better known to audiences for his smaller budget, more intimate work in films like "Apt Pupil" and "The Usual Suspects."
Although not a comic book fan to start, once he learned the X-Men series was really a social commentary about prejudice and discrimination, Singer eagerly took on the task.
He also made several deviations from the comic book in order to appeal to non-fans, including changes in the characters'looks and costumes.
The costumes and special effects are perhaps the most eye-opening aspects of the film.
The actor most affected by the rigors of costuming was former supermodel Rebecca Romijn Stamos, who endured eight hours of makeup and had over 120 prosthetics attached to her body.
She would then work for ten hours and spend two hours removing the makeup. By the end of the shoot, the blue color of her character Mystique was no longer one of her favorites.
No fewer than seven Hollywood special effects houses worked on the film's many effects, including Wolverine's retractable claws, Cyclops' optic blasts, Mystique'sshape-shifting and morphing and Toad's 10-foot tongue.
The man under the makeup as Toad, Ray Park, came to the world's attention when he donned the facepaint and flowing robes of Darth Maul in "The Phantom Menace." In this, his second feature film, movie-goers get to see a little bit more of his face and hear his voice for the first time on the big screen.
The entire production was followed religously by X-Men fans on the Internet, where rumors and opinions were posted and exchanged.
Singer actually kept abreast of the on-line debate, sometimes ignoring it and other times incorporating it into his decisions.
Fans and non-fans alike are already lining up at theaters throughout the United States for the debut of the film, which opens on Friday, July 14. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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