COMMENTARY | Pretend that you are a movie mogul who creates theatrical products for people to watch while they consume really expensive popcorn. You had a big hit on your hands like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Paul Newman and Robert Redford were rubbed out by the Mexican Army at the end. What do you do? It’s not a problem thanks to “Butch and Sundance: the Early Years”!
As I watched Professor X disintegrating in “X-Men: The Last Stand”, I was shocked! I hoped I was not also watching the slaughter of a cash cow. Thank goodness the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” managed to be a satisfying entry into the series. Finally, the “X-Men:First Class” has rebooted the franchise just in time to provide some competition for the upcoming mega production called “The Avengers”.
There is money to be made in sequels. Just ask George Lucas! Besides the obvious double trilogy of Star Wars, did you know that ” Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” was a prequel to “Raiders of the Lost Ark”?
Jumping back and forth on the time line is not a new invention. It’s as old as the story telling of Homer with his never ending tales of Troy and the long voyage home for Ulysses. That literary plot device has been around a long time and has been explored in many ways. Time traveling was taken to extreme conclusions in the works of Kurt Vonnegut and Robert Heinlein. Before and after stories have to stand on their own, as well as keep you informed about where you are in the bigger picture.
The new sequel to “X-Men:First Class” is still looking for a name and a release date. There has been no confirmation that Hugh Jackman as Wolverine will be making an appearance He did create some heat in a cameo in the previous film. The good news is that James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender have claimed their characters with authority. Professor X and Magneto are a power packed duo that can reap the wind of profits from this amazing franchise for years to come.