Screenwriter Zak Penn Talks "X3"

Summary

Zak Penn helped shape the story and script of "X2: X-Men United," which took the X-franchise to another level; now, Zak's back and working on "X-Men 3," which looks set to continue the exciting series of movies in really big ways. Although he can't discuss the story or any spoilers, Zak spoke with TheXverse.com about writing another mutant adventure. Back to Article

Comments

DJ Jay Lion

Jay Lion

[b]YES![/b]
Keep it up, Zak.

Oct 10 - 11:34 AM

Elessar Oronro

Joss Whedon

I wonder if this new film will be as big a snorefest as the other two. probably. Seriously, I'd rather watch the CG commercials for the new X-Men videogame. They have more excitement in their 30 seconds than the entire X movies.

Oct 10 - 12:03 PM

NOE

David Arkins

Elessar, what are your proplems with the X-Men films and what comic movie or movies do you consider potent?

Oct 10 - 01:13 PM

Elessar Oronro

Joss Whedon

Well, NOE, I thought my previous post made it pretty obvious. I think they're boring. The special effects are very underwhelming. There are far too many characters for any script to be able to convey effective, meaningful drama. So many characters get shuffled off to the sidelines.

I admire the acting, mainly Stewart, McClellan, and Jackman. I admire the story elements that focus on prejudice against the mutant community. Definitely a bold story for this day and age.

However, nothing in the films has ever excited me. I wasn't joking when I said look at the TV commercials for that video game. Wolverine punches a hole in a gas truck, Magneto throws it, and Storm uses lightning to blow it up. That's cool...why can't the movies do that? Why hasn't there been an equivalent scene to the elevated train sequence in Spider-Man 2?

I don't consider any comic book movie to be "potent" being that I can't smell the movie. Assuming you meant "Important", no comic book movie has ever been important. Films like Schindler's List are important. The Hulk is not.

I've enjoyed a variety of comic book movies, from Batman Begins, to Spider-man, to Blade: Trinity, to the Incredibles. And I'm a fan of the X-Men comics. I just want so much more...

Oct 10 - 03:54 PM

Elessar Oronro

Joss Whedon

Sorry, I meant Blade 2. Blade 3 was crap.

Oct 10 - 03:55 PM

rainfall

nicholas butler

[b]x-men[/b]
Well Elessar Oronro thats what the frist 2 movies did was bring in a lot of the chars and they will continue that way you can rotate them in and out for diffrent storylines without having to teach the aud. who each char is so in retrospect the x-movie where awsome and they will only continue to keep getting better :+)

Oct 10 - 04:48 PM

Elessar Oronro

Joss Whedon

But why keep bringing in new characters when we have yet to scratch the surface of the ones introduced in the first film? I, for one, would like to see why Jean and Scott actually love each other. Why Scott is the leader of the group. All the stuff with Wolverine is interesting, and Rogue got a lot to do in the first film, but the others have been pushed aside. Adding new characters is a clear attempt to pull in an audience that enjoys looking at pretty new colors (see the trailer for the Zorro sequel...he's got a kid now! Have to see that!)

I certainly do hope the films keep getting better. As I've said, they are pretty good with a good message and great acting. However, I doubt Brett Ratner is the director to make the ultimate X-Men movie. How about James Cameron? Joss Whedon? Ang Lee? Lots of better choices than the director of Rush Hour.

Oct 10 - 09:34 PM

Infernal

Danny Sybrenson

[b]Elessar has an opinion..[/b]
NOE, do shut up. Elessar has an opinion. They are allowed to voice it. Personally my opinions are a lot different, as are your's apparently. But opinions are opinions and stop asking the obvious questions that have already been stated.

Amen.

Oct 10 - 07:45 PM

masta_chill

Matt Romo

If the whole movie was like the beginning of X2 I would cream in my Dickies. What is with the comic book fascination? I seriously don't get it. I'm thirsty.

Oct 12 - 03:41 PM

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