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| caption = Theatrical release poster |
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
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| director = [[Brett Ratner]] |
| director = [[Brett Ratner]] |
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| alt = The poster shows Wolverine's claws unsheathed in front of a big X representing "X3". At the middle is the title while at the bottom |
| alt = The poster shows Wolverine's claws unsheathed in front of a big X representing "X3". At the middle is the title while at the bottom are the production credits and rating. |
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| producer = {{Plainlist| |
| producer = {{Plainlist| |
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* [[Lauren Shuler Donner]] |
* [[Lauren Shuler Donner]] |
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| studio = {{Plainlist| |
| studio = {{Plainlist| |
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* [[20th Century Fox]] |
* [[20th Century Fox]] |
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* Donners' Company |
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* [[Marvel Entertainment]] |
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* [[Ingenious Film Partners]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/806054?view=credit |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|work=BFI Film & Television Database|accessdate=May 10, 2014|location=London|title=Credits}}</ref>}} |
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* The Donners' Company}} |
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| distributor = 20th Century Fox |
| distributor = 20th Century Fox |
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| released = {{Film date|2006|5|26 |
| released = {{Film date|2006|5|26}} |
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| runtime = 104 minutes |
| runtime = 104 minutes |
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| country = United States<!-- See guidelines for "Country" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_film --> |
| country = United States<br>United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web |url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b8b1eb7f4 | title=X-Men The Last Stand | publisher=[[British Film Institute]] | accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref><!-- See guidelines for "Country" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_film --> |
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| music = [[John Powell]] |
| music = [[John Powell]] |
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| cinematography = [[Dante Spinotti]] |
| cinematography = [[Dante Spinotti]] |
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| gross = $459,359,555 |
| gross = $459,359,555 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''X-Men: The Last Stand''''' |
'''''X-Men: The Last Stand''''' (also known as '''''X-Men 3''''' or '''''X3''''')<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/291112/X-Men-The-Last-Stand/overview | title=X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) | publisher=[[New York Times]] | date=May 26, 2006 | accessdate=April 9, 2014 | author=Dargis, Manohla}}</ref> is a 2006 American-British [[superhero film]], based on the [[X-Men]] superhero team introduced in [[Marvel Comics]]. The film, distributed by [[20th Century Fox]], is the third installment in the [[X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'' film series]], and the final of the first trilogy of the series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iesb.net/fox2006/012606.php | title = Exclusive Video Interview: Fox Studio Head Tom Rothman Squashes X-Men 3 Review. Also on the Future of X-Men, Fantastic Four 2, Silver Surfer and AvP 2 | first= Robert | last=Sanchez | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090427001755/http://www.iesb.net/fox2006/012606.php | archivedate=April 27, 2009 | publisher=The Movie Reporter / IESB.net}}</ref> It was directed by [[Brett Ratner]], written by [[Simon Kinberg]] and [[Zak Penn]], and features an [[ensemble cast]], including [[Hugh Jackman]], [[Halle Berry]], [[Patrick Stewart]], [[Ian McKellen]], [[Anna Paquin]] and [[Famke Janssen]]. The film's script is loosely based on two ''X-Men'' comic book story arcs: "[[The Dark Phoenix Saga]]" by writer [[Chris Claremont]] and artist [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], and "[[Gifted (comics)|Gifted]]" by writer [[Joss Whedon]] and artist [[John Cassaday]], with a plot that revolves around a "mutant cure" that causes serious repercussions among [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] and humans, and on the resurrection of [[Jean Grey]]. |
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[[Bryan Singer]], who had directed the two previous ''X-Men'' |
[[Bryan Singer]], who had directed the two previous films, ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' (2000) and ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'' (2003), decided to leave to work on ''[[Superman Returns]]'', as he had not even defined the storyline for a third film. [[Matthew Vaughn]], who was initially hired as the new director, left due to personal and professional issues, and was replaced with Ratner. Filming began in August 2005 with a budget of $210 million, and was consequently the [[list of most expensive films|most expensive film]] at the time of its release. It had extensive visual effects created by 11 different companies. |
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The |
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' was released on May 26, 2006, to commercial success. It grossed approximately $459 million worldwide, and became the seventh-highest grossing film of 2006, and the most financially successful of the series. Although commercially successful, the film received mixed reviews, with the acting and the action scenes receiving favorable notice, and criticism directed at the screenplay and style. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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<!--note: Please do not add more detail. This is supposed to be a plot summary, not a play-by-play. The removal of certain characters or scenes is necessary to keeping this section brief and done only when those elements are not essential to the plot. This section has a tendency to expand greatly, becoming overly detailed and full of unnecessarily specific details, but the removal of these details has been asked for and commended on the talk page. As well, note that per [[WP:FILMPLOT]], this section is between 400 and 700 words ONLY--> |
<!--note: Please do not add more detail. This is supposed to be a plot summary, not a play-by-play. The removal of certain characters or scenes is necessary to keeping this section brief and done only when those elements are not essential to the plot. This section has a tendency to expand greatly, becoming overly detailed and full of unnecessarily specific details, but the removal of these details has been asked for and commended on the talk page. As well, note that per [[WP:FILMPLOT]], this section is between 400 and 700 words ONLY--> |
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Twenty years |
Twenty years ago, [[Professor X in other media|Professor Charles Xavier]] and [[Magneto in other media|Erik Lensherr]] meet young [[Jean Grey]] at her parents' house to make her aware of her powers. Ten years later, the industrialist father of [[Warren Worthington III]] discovers his son is a [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutant]] as the boy tries to cut off his wings. |
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In the present, Worthington Labs announces it has developed an inoculation to suppress the X-gene that gives [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] their abilities and makes them different from other humans, offering the "cure" to any mutant who wants it. The cure is created from the [[genome]] of a young mutant named [[Leech (comics)|Jimmy]], who lives at the Worthington facility on [[Alcatraz Island]]. |
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Horrified by the announcement of what he considers a way to forcefully |
Horrified by the announcement of what he considers a way to forcefully use the inoculation to exterminate the mutant race, Lensherr, now known as the X-Men's adversary Magneto, reforms his [[Brotherhood of Mutants]] with mutants who oppose the cure. Meanwhile, [[Cyclops (comics)|Cyclops]], still emotionally distraught over the loss of girlfriend Jean Grey, drives to her resting location at Alkali Lake. Jean appears to Cyclops but, as the two romantically kiss, Jean starts disintegrating her lover. Psychically sensing trouble, Professor X sends [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]] and [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] to investigate. When they arrive, the two X-Men encounter telekinetically floating rocks, Cyclops' glasses, and an unconscious Jean. Cyclops himself is nowhere to be found. |
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When they return to the [[X-Mansion]], Xavier explains to Wolverine that, when Jean sacrificed herself, she unleashed the powerful alternate personality she calls "[[Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix]]", which Xavier had previously telepathically repressed, fearing the Phoenix's destructive potential. Wolverine is disgusted to learn of this psychic tampering with Jean's mind but, once she awakens, Wolverine realizes she had killed Cyclops and is not the Jean Grey he knew. The Phoenix awakens, knocks out Wolverine, and escapes to her childhood home. |
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Since Magneto had learned from the resurgence of Jean through his cohort [[Callisto (comics)|Callisto]], the X-Men arrive at the Grey home at the same as the Brtoherhood. Magneto and Xavier vie for Jean's loyalty until the Phoenix resurfaces. She destroys the house and disintegrates Xavier before leaving with Magneto. The Brotherhood then decides to strike upon Worthington Labs, with Magneto using his powers to dislocate the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] and connect Alcatraz to the [[San Francisco]] mainland and facilitate the attack. The X-Men then decide to regroup and confront the Brotherhood, despite being significantly outnumbered, and arrive just as the military troops who had been thus far neutralizing the attacking mutants start being overwhelmed by the Brotherhood. |
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Magneto learns of the resurgence of Jean through his cohort [[Callisto (comics)|Callisto]], and the X-Men arrive at the Grey home at the same time as the Brotherhood. Magneto and Xavier vie for Jean's loyalty until the Phoenix resurfaces. She destroys the house and disintegrates Xavier before leaving with Magneto. The Brotherhood decides to strike Worthington Labs, with Magneto using his powers to dislocate the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] and connect Alcatraz to the [[San Francisco]] mainland to facilitate the attack. The X-Men regroup and confront the Brotherhood, despite being significantly outnumbered, and arrive just as the military troops, who thus far had been neutralizing the attacking mutants, are being overwhelmed by the Brotherhood. |
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During the fight, [[Beast (comics)|Beast]] injects Magneto with the cure, nullifying his powers, and [[Kitty Pryde]] saves Jimmy from the murderous [[Juggernaut (comics)|Juggernaut]]. Afterwards army reinforcements arrive, and once they attack Jean the Phoenix awakens, using her powers to obliterate the troops. As the Phoenix's attacks are destroying the facilities and mutants at Alcatraz, Wolverine realizes that due to his [[healing factor]], he is the only one who can approach the Phoenix. After Wolverine comes near her, Jean momentarily gains control and begs him to save her. Wolverine then stabs Jean, stopping the devastating force but causing Wolverine to mourn the death of the woman he loved. |
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During the fight, [[Beast (comics)|Beast]] injects Magneto with the cure, nullifying his powers, and [[Kitty Pryde]] saves Jimmy from the murderous [[Juggernaut (comics)|Juggernaut]]. Army reinforcements arrive and attack Jean, awakening the Phoenix, who uses her powers to obliterate the troops. As the Phoenix's attacks begin to destroy the facilities and mutants at Alcatraz, Wolverine realizes that, due to his [[healing factor]], he is the only one who can approach the Phoenix. Wolverine approaches her, and Jean momentarily gains control and begs him to kill her. Wolverine stabs Jean, stopping the devastating force, but mourns the death of the woman he loved. |
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Some time later, Xavier's school is still operating with Storm as headmistress, and Magneto is retreating in San Francisco. As he gestures towards a metal chess piece, it wobbles slightly, implying his powers are returning. In a [[post-credits scene]], Dr. [[Moira MacTaggert]] checks on a comatose patient who greets her with Xavier's voice. |
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Sometime later, Xavier's school is still operating with Storm as headmistress, and the president of the United States appoints Beast as ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. Meanwhile, in a San Francisco park, Magneto sits alone at a chessboard. As he gestures toward a metal chess piece, it wobbles slightly, suggesting that his powers are returning. |
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In a [[post-credits scene]], Dr. [[Moira MacTaggert]] checks on a comatose patient who greets her with Xavier's voice. Startled, she replies, "Charles?" |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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===The X-Men=== |
===The X-Men=== |
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The [[X-Men]] are a special ops team from The Xavier Institute, charged with protecting both |
The [[X-Men]] are a special ops team from The Xavier Institute, charged with protecting both humans and mutants, and trying to prevent a war between the two. |
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These should be written concisely and with the non-comics-reader in mind. |
These should be written concisely and with the non-comics-reader in mind. |
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* [[Hugh Jackman]] as [[Wolverine (comics)|Logan / Wolverine]] |
* [[Hugh Jackman]] as [[Wolverine (comics)|Logan / Wolverine]] |
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:A gruff, scrappy Canadian mutant born with hyper-acute senses, |
:A gruff, scrappy Canadian mutant born with hyper-acute senses, claws on his hands, and an accelerated healing factor that made possible to implant a coating of the indestructible metal alloy [[adamantium]] on his skeleton. Jackman was pleased to see that the script allowed Wolverine to expand his character choices, as instead of questioning whether he would remain a loner or join the X-Men, Logan now is asked if he will play a leadership role in the X-Men.<ref name=notes/> |
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* [[Halle Berry]] as [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Ororo Munroe / Storm]] |
* [[Halle Berry]] as [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Ororo Munroe / Storm]] |
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:One of Xavier's earlier students and the leader of the X-Men in Cyclops' absence, Storm is a woman with the ability to manipulate the weather. Berry had stated during interviews for ''X2'' that she would not return unless the character had a significant presence comparable to the comic book version, leading to a larger role in ''The Last Stand''{{'}}s script.<ref name="UGO 2">{{cite web | title=Halle Berry of X-Men: The Last Stand | work=[[UGO Networks]] | url=http://www.ugo.com/summermovies/Content/ProductViewer.aspx?BlogsPageNumber=3&ProductID=172 | accessdate=July 18, 2006 | date=May 24, 2006 | first=Daniel Robert | last=Epstein | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060718103731/http://www.ugo.com/summermovies/Content/ProductViewer.aspx?BlogsPageNumber=3&ProductID=172 | archivedate=July 18, 2006}}</ref> Berry declared that her ethnicity made the actress identify with the cure plot: "When I was a child, I felt that if only I could change myself, my life would be better. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with what utter nonsense that is."<ref name=notes/> The character was given a more modern haircut, and costume designer [[Judianna Makovsky]] opted to give Storm more black clothes, a color she only wore in the leather costume for previous films, to make her "tougher and sexier".<ref name=costume>"Clothing vs. Costume". ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' DVD, 2006, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment</ref> |
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:One of Xavier's earlier students and the leader of the X-Men in Cyclops' absence, Storm is a woman with the ability to manipulate the [[weather]]. |
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* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Professor X|Charles Xavier / Professor X]] |
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Professor X|Charles Xavier / Professor X]] |
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:The founder of the Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants and a mutant with uncharted [[telepathy|telepathic powers]] |
:The founder of the Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants and a mutant with uncharted [[telepathy|telepathic powers]], Xavier is an authority on [[Mutation|genetic mutation]] and an advocate of peaceful relations between human and mutant kind. Stewart signed to the film without knowing Xavier would die, and not meeting original director [[Matthew Vaughn]] - both would meet in [[Manchester]], where Stewart was filming ''[[Eleventh Hour (UK TV series)|Eleventh Hour]]'', but eventually Brett Ratner called to introduce himself as the new director.<ref name=mania>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/x3-patrick-stewart-tells-all_article_90147.html|title=X3: Patrick Stewart Tells All|author=Brown, Chris|publisher=Mania.com|date=May 17, 2006|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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* [[Anna Paquin]] as [[Rogue (comics)|Marie / Rogue]] |
* [[Anna Paquin]] as [[Rogue (comics)|Marie / Rogue]] |
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:A young mutant woman from the Deep South whose power causes her to temporarily take on the powers of anyone she touches, leaving her victims (mutant or human) unconscious |
:A young mutant woman from the [[Deep South]] whose power causes her to temporarily take on the powers of anyone she touches, leaving her victims (mutant or human) unconscious, Rogue's lack of control over her power causes a great deal of strain on her relationship with Iceman. Paquin declared that while Rogue did not have "a large physical component in this movie", the "adult decisions" the character was forced to do made for more intensity on the emotional side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecinemasource.com/blog/interviews/anna-paquin-interview-for-x-men-3-the-last-stand/|publisher=The Cinema Source|date=January 28, 2008|title=Aaron Stanford Interview|author=Hussain, Aysha |accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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* [[Kelsey Grammer]] as [[Beast (comics)|Dr. Hank McCoy / Beast]] |
* [[Kelsey Grammer]] as [[Beast (comics)|Dr. Hank McCoy / Beast]] |
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:A former student of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants who is now a member of the U.S. Cabinet as the Secretary of Mutant Affairs |
:A former student of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants who is now a member of the [[Cabinet of the United States|U.S. Cabinet]] as the Secretary of Mutant Affairs, Beast is a brilliant scientist and statesman. He is covered in blue fur and has heightened strength and agility, as well as pointed fangs and a lion-like roar. Grammer's make-up took up two hours to apply, painting his face blue before applying prostethics, and a muscle suit covered with a hand·punched fur suit.<ref name=cinefex/> |
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* [[James Marsden]] as [[Cyclops (comics)|Scott Summers / Cyclops]] |
* [[James Marsden]] as [[Cyclops (comics)|Scott Summers / Cyclops]] |
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:The X-Men's field leader, Cyclops |
:The X-Men's field leader, Cyclops emits powerful energy blasts from his eyes, and must wear specially made glasses to prevent the destruction of anything he looks at. Although he is in a committed relationship with Jean Grey, her Phoenix persona kills him early in the film. |
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* [[Shawn Ashmore]] as [[Iceman (comics)|Bobby Drake / Iceman]] |
* [[Shawn Ashmore]] as [[Iceman (comics)|Bobby Drake / Iceman]] |
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:A young mutant, Iceman can create constructs of ice or blasts of cold. Ashmore's commitments to ''X-Men'' made him decline Bryan Singer's invitation to play [[Jimmy Olsen]] in ''Superman Returns''. The actor was content with his bigger role after Bobby joined the X-Men main team in ''X2'', as during the predecessor's production he wondered "'When do I get to freeze something or get into a fight?'"<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The National Post|title=The Iceman Returneth|date=May 20, 2006|first=Bob |last=Thompson}}</ref> |
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:A young mutant who can create constructs of ice or blasts of cold. |
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* [[Ellen Page]] as [[Kitty Pryde|Kitty Pryde / Shadowcat]] |
* [[Ellen Page]] as [[Kitty Pryde|Kitty Pryde / Shadowcat]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to phase through matter and walk through solid objects |
:A mutant with the ability to phase through matter and walk through solid objects, her clear affection for Iceman further adds to the tension already present between Iceman and Rogue. [[Maggie Grace]] was considered for the role,<ref name=family/> before Ratner cast Page, who impressed the director with her performance in ''[[Hard Candy (film)|Hard Candy]]''.<ref>{{cite news | first= Rebecca |last=Murray | url = http://movies.about.com/od/xmen3/a/xmen3041106.htm | title = Ellen Page Discusses X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[About.com]] | date = April 11, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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* [[Daniel Cudmore]] as [[Colossus (comics)|Peter Rasputin / Colossus]] |
* [[Daniel Cudmore]] as [[Colossus (comics)|Peter Rasputin / Colossus]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to transform his skin into an organic steel, |
:A mutant with the ability to transform his skin into an organic steel, Colossus' powers grant him superhuman strength and a resistance to physical damage and extreme temperatures. Cudmore wore a foam latex muscle suit covered with a chrome·plated plastic plus a hard plastic head to have the metal skin on the set, with some digital augmentation being used to enhance the facial expressions. A digital double was used only for stunts that could not be achieve practically, such as the [[Fastball Special]] where Colossus throws Wolverine.<ref name=cinefex/> |
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* [[ |
* [[Ben Foster]] as [[Warren Worthington III|Warren Worthington III / Angel]] |
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: |
:The mutant son of an industrialist, who has feathered wings which allow him to fly. He is played as a child by [[Cayden Boyd]]. The static wings were models with a {{convert|15|ft|m}} wingspan and {{convert|5|ft|m}} height glued to Foster's back, replaced with computer-generated ones when movement was required.<ref name=cinefex/> |
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===The Brotherhood=== |
===The Brotherhood=== |
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The [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood]] is Magneto's personal strike force, whose goal is to ensure mutant supremacy over the human race. |
The [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood]] is Magneto's personal strike force, whose goal is to ensure mutant supremacy over the human race. |
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* [[Ian McKellen]] as [[Magneto (comics)|Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto]] |
* [[Ian McKellen]] as [[Magneto (comics)|Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto]] |
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:Leader and founder of the Brotherhood, Magneto is a [[Holocaust]] survivor who wages war against humanity in the name of mutant superiority. He has the ability to control and manipulate metal, making him one of the most powerful mutants. |
:Leader and founder of the Brotherhood, Magneto is a [[Holocaust]] survivor who wages war against humanity in the name of mutant superiority. He has the ability to control and manipulate metal, making him one of the most powerful mutants. Well-known for his homosexuality, McKellen found a parallel of the cure with many prejudices: "It’s abhorrent to me, as it would be if a person said I need curing of my sexuality, or if someone said that black people could take a pill that would ‘cure’ them of being black.”<ref name=notes/> |
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* [[Famke Janssen]] as [[Jean Grey|Jean Grey / Phoenix]] |
* [[Famke Janssen]] as [[Jean Grey|Jean Grey / Phoenix]] |
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:A former member of the X-Men, upon being resurrected Grey gives in to her alternate personality, the Phoenix, an aggressive [[Omega-Level Mutant|Class 5 mutant]] who possesses potentially limitless telepathic and telekinetic powers. Her mutant powers rival those of Professor X. [[Haley Ramm]] plays Jean as a child. |
:A former member of the X-Men, upon being resurrected, Grey gives in to her alternate personality, the Phoenix, an aggressive [[Omega-Level Mutant|Class 5 mutant]] who possesses potentially limitless telepathic and telekinetic powers. Her mutant powers rival those of Professor X. [[Haley Ramm]] plays Jean as a child. To mark the change from Jean Grey to Phoenix, her wardrobe focused on red colors, and everyday fabric in contrast to the leather costumes of the X-Men.<ref name=costume/> Digital make-up also made Jean's face darken her skin, show some veins and have her eyes go black.<ref name=awn/> |
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* [[Rebecca Romijn]] as [[Mystique (comics)|Raven Darkholme / Mystique]] |
* [[Rebecca Romijn]] as [[Mystique (comics)|Raven Darkholme / Mystique]] |
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:Magneto's blue-skinned right-hand woman |
:Magneto's blue-skinned right-hand woman possesses the ability to [[Shapeshifting|shape-shift]] to mimic anyone's appearance, as well as fight with incredible agility and strength. She jumps in front of cure darts intended for Magneto and, after she loses her mutant abilities as a result, Magneto abandons her. Romijn described this story as "a traumatic experience" for Mystique, given that the previous movies implied that she and Magneto had "a deep-seated bond", and becoming "a frail mortal would be her worst nightmare".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/x-men-the-last-stand-rebecca-romijn-interview|title=X-Men: The Last Stand - Rebecca Romijn interview|publisher=Indie London|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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* [[Aaron Stanford]] as [[Pyro (comics)|John Allerdyce / Pyro]] |
* [[Aaron Stanford]] as [[Pyro (comics)|John Allerdyce / Pyro]] |
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: |
:A former student of Xavier's School for Gifted Mutants with a grudge against his former friend Bobby Drake, Pyro has the ability to manipulate fire, generated through wrist-mounted lighters. Stanford stated that with the Brotherhood, Pyro "is allowed to fully explore his power". The actor was comfortable with returning to the role, only finding strange going from shooting ''[[The Hills Have Eyes (2006 film)|The Hills Have Eyes]]'' in the Sahara desert to the cold and rainy ''X-Men'' set in Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teenhollywood.com/2006/03/10/we-have-eyes-for-aaron-stanford|title=We Have "Eyes" for Aaron Stanford Comments|publisher=Teen Hollywood|first=Lynn|last=Barker|date=March 25, 2006|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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* [[Vinnie Jones]] as [[Juggernaut (comics)|Cain Marko / Juggernaut]] |
* [[Vinnie Jones]] as [[Juggernaut (comics)|Cain Marko / Juggernaut]] |
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:A criminal recruited by the Brotherhood in a prison truck |
:A criminal recruited by the Brotherhood in a prison truck, Juggernaut is incredibly strong, fast and, once he gains momentum, he is nearly unstoppable. Jones had to go through a four-hour make-up process to portray Juggernaut, which included a muscle suit and a prostethic chin.<ref name=conf>"Make-Up Chair Confessions". ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' DVD, 2006, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment</ref> The costume tried to retain the bullet-shaped helmet of the comics without going excessively over the top.<ref name=costume/> |
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* [[Eric Dane]] as [[Jamie Madrox|Jamie Madrox / Multiple Man]] |
* [[Eric Dane]] as [[Jamie Madrox|Jamie Madrox / Multiple Man]] |
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:A mutant and |
:A mutant and thief recruited by the Brotherhood in a prison truck, Madrox has the ability to create a very large number of copies of himself. |
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===The Omegas=== |
===The Omegas=== |
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<!-- Do not delete. The movie's official site recognizes The Omegas as a separate group. These four characters are not members of The Brotherhood. --> |
<!-- Do not delete. The movie's official site recognizes The Omegas as a separate group. These four characters are not members of The Brotherhood. --> |
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The Omegas are a group of mutant outcasts existing as part of an underground network that stretches across the nation. |
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* [[Dania Ramirez]] as [[Callisto (comics)|Callisto]] |
* [[Dania Ramirez]] as [[Callisto (comics)|Callisto]] |
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:The leader of The Omegas, Callisto is a mutant with enhanced superhumanly acute senses, who senses mutants and their powers, and possesses superhuman speed. The character combined the powers of the comics' Callisto with another of the [[Morlocks (comics)|Morlocks]], [[Caliban (comics)|Caliban]], and was written as someone who could be "beautiful, but with a tough persona".<ref name="ratner commentary"/> Ramirez had originally auditioned to play the mutant prostitute [[Stacy X]], and impressed Brett Ratner so much the director decided to bring her to play Callisto.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dania Ramirez – X-Men: The Last Stand|url=http://www.cinesnob.net/archives/dania-ramirez-x-men-the-last-stand/|author=Ramirez, Kiko|publisher=CineSnob|date=May 20, 2006|accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> |
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:The leader of The Omegas and a mutant with enhanced superhumanly acute senses, managing to sense mutants and their powers, and superhuman speed. |
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* [[Meiling Melançon]] as [[Psylocke]] |
* [[Meiling Melançon]] as [[Psylocke]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to teleport herself through areas of shadow, instead of the powers of the Psylocke from the comics. The character's trademark [[Psionics|psionic]] dagger was considered for inclusion, but eventually discarded. Melançon decided to audition after the hiring of Brett Ratner, with whom she had worked in ''[[Rush Hour 2]]'', and had originally read for the role of Callisto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2010/09/exclusive-interview-pt-2-mei-m.html|title=Exclusive interview Pt 2: Mei Melancon talks X-Men from Last Stand to First Class|work=The Coventry Telegraph|first=David|last=Bentley|date=September 24, 2010|accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> |
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:A mutant with the ability to teleport herself through areas of shadow. Her trademark abilites in the comics are telepathy and the creation of a psionic dagger on her right hand; these were left out of the film. |
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* Omahyra Mota as [[Arclight (comics)|Arclight]] |
* Omahyra Mota as [[Arclight (comics)|Arclight]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to generate shock waves of concussive force. The Dominican model was originally rumored to play Stacy X before being confirmed as Arclight,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/07/wimbledon-stars-serena-and-ven.html|title=Wimbledon stars Serena and Venus Williams were in line for X-Men role|work=The Coventry Telegraph|first=David|last=Bentley|date=September 24, 2010|accessdate=July 7, 2009}}</ref> and even took a break from filming in Vancouver to model for [[L.A.M.B.]] in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://models.com/oftheminute/?p=761|title=Omahyra Hits The Silver Screen|publisher=Models.com|date=September 27, 2005|author=Wayne|accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> |
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:A mutant with the ability to generate shock waves of concussive force, destroying anything she locks on to. |
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* [[Ken Leung]] as [[Quentin Quire|Kid Omega]] |
* [[Ken Leung]] as [[Quentin Quire|Kid Omega]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to eject spikes from his body, most notably his face |
:A mutant with the ability to eject spikes from his body, most notably his face, Kid Omega resembles the comic books' character [[Quill (comics)|Quill]]; however, the official cast credits read "Kid Omega".<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS. We are aware of the opinions on the DVD commentary and of Zak Penn interview in which he says he thinks the character was incorrectly named in the credits. However, the interview appears on a forum, and forums are disallowed Wikipedia sources, while the movie credits are a neutral primary source and must be given primacy. The description as it stands ("This character resembles the comic books' character Quill; however, the official cast credits read "Kid Omega".") is neutral.--> Leung, a frequent collaborator of Brett Ratner, asked to be in the film and thus a character was written for him.<ref name="ratner commentary"/> As the [[prosthetic makeup|prostethic]] spines did not provide the same flexibility as digital ones, Leung had digital dots painted on his face to assist the quills' [[match moving|tracking]] in post-production.<ref name=cinefex/> |
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*[[Phat (comics)|Phat]], a very large man who slims down in order to sit down between two people, is played by two actors, Via Saleaumua ("large mode") and Richard Yee ("small mode"). He was included after editor [[Mark Helfrich (film editor)|Mark Helfrich]] brought Marvel's ''X-Men Encyclopedia'' searching for mutants that could make appearances.<ref name="ratner commentary"/> |
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*[[Spike (Marvel Comics)|Spike]], a mutant who battles Wolverine in the forest by extruding bony spikes from his flesh, was portrayed by [[Lance Gibson]]. The character was added at the editors' suggestion, as they felt in the original cut of the scene Logan was portrayed as a cold-blooded killer, which could be changed if another mutant attacked Wolverine before he struck upon the Brotherhood.<ref>"Editing Magic". ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' DVD, 2006, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment</ref> |
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*[[Glob Herman]], a mutant with transparent skin, makes a brief appearance played by Clayton Dean Watmough.<ref name=cinefex/> |
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===Other characters=== |
===Other characters=== |
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* [[Michael Murphy (actor)|Michael Murphy]] as Warren Worthington II |
* [[Michael Murphy (actor)|Michael Murphy]] as Warren Worthington II |
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:The head of Worthington Labs, the corporation developing the "cure", |
:The head of Worthington Labs, the corporation developing the "cure", Worthington expects to rid his son of his mutant abilities. |
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* [[Shohreh Aghdashloo]] as Dr. [[Kavita Rao]] |
* [[Shohreh Aghdashloo]] as Dr. [[Kavita Rao]] |
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:A scientist |
:A scientist who works at Worthington Labs on the mutant cure, she is killed by Kid Omega. |
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* [[Josef Sommer]] as the |
* [[Josef Sommer]] as the president of the United States |
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:The |
:The president of the United States is tolerant of mutants. |
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* [[Bill Duke]] as |
* [[Bill Duke]] as Secretary Trask |
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:The head of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] |
:The head of the [[Department of Homeland Security]], Secretary Trask aids the president of the United States during the war against the mutants. The name alludes to [[Bolivar Trask]], head of Trask Industries and creator of the mutant-hunting [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]] in the comics - a character later played by [[Peter Dinklage]] in ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]''. |
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* [[Cameron Bright]] as [[Leech (comics)|Jimmy / Leech]] |
* [[Cameron Bright]] as [[Leech (comics)|Jimmy / Leech]] |
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:A mutant with the ability to neutralize the powers of nearby mutants |
:A mutant with the ability to neutralize the powers of nearby mutants, Leech's [[DNA]] is used as the basis for the mutant cure. |
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* ''X-Men'' co-creator [[Stan Lee]] and writer [[Chris Claremont]] have [[Cameo appearance|cameos]] in the film's opening scene as the neighbors of young Jean Grey. |
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* The sergeant directing defensive preparations before the Brotherhood assaults Alcatraz Island is played by [[R. Lee Ermey]]. |
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''X-Men'' co-creator [[Stan Lee]] and writer [[Chris Claremont]] have cameos in the film's opening scene as neighbors in Jean Grey's old neighborhood. The sergeant directing defensive preparations before the Brotherhood assaults [[Alcatraz Island]] is played by [[R. Lee Ermey]]. In the scene where Magneto first meets The Omegas, there is a very large man who slims down in order to sit down between two people. The character, [[Phat (comics)|Phat]], is played by two actors, Via Saleaumua and Richard Yee, as Phat in "large mode" and "small mode", respectively. The character [[Spike (Marvel Comics)|Spike]], portrayed by [[Lance Gibson]], battles Wolverine in the forest, where he was depicted with the ability to extrude and hurl bony spikes from his flesh. In the [[X Mansion|Xavier]] Institute when Storm and Professor X are walking down the corridor talking about “why they are still hiding”, there are three identical girls (the [[Stepford Cuckoos]]). [[Shauna Kain]] and [[Kea Wong]] reprised their cameo roles as [[Siryn]] and [[Jubilee (comics)|Jubilee]] respectively.<ref name="ratner commentary">{{cite video| people = Brett Ratner, Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn| title = Audio Commentary| medium = DVD| publisher = 20th Century Fox|date=2006}}</ref> |
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* Various other mutants make cameos at the [[X-Mansion]]. [[Shauna Kain]] and [[Kea Wong]] reprised their cameo roles as [[Siryn]] and [[Jubilee (comics)|Jubilee]] respectively, and three identical girls in the background in one scene are a reference to the [[Stepford Cuckoos]].<ref name="ratner commentary">{{cite video| people = Brett Ratner, Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn| title = Audio Commentary| medium = DVD| publisher = 20th Century Fox|date=2006}}</ref> |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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{{multiple image |
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| footer = [[Matthew Vaughn]] (left), who would later direct ''[[X-Men: First Class]]'', was Fox's first choice to replace [[Bryan Singer]]. Once he left, [[Brett Ratner]] (right) took over directing ''The Last Stand''. |
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|align=right |
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| image1 = Matthew Vaughn.JPG |
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| alt1 = Matthew Vaughn on the red carpet. |
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|width1=90 |
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| image2 = Brett Ratner 2012 Shankbone.JPG |
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| alt2 = Brett Ratner at a convention. |
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|width2=103 |
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}} |
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===Development=== |
===Development=== |
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[[Bryan Singer]], the director of the first two ''X-Men'' films, left the project in July 2004 in favor of developing ''[[Superman Returns]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author= Dunkley, Cathy, and Michael Fleming | url =http:// |
[[Bryan Singer]], the director of the first two ''X-Men'' films, left the project in July 2004 in favor of developing ''[[Superman Returns]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author= Dunkley, Cathy, and Michael Fleming | url =http://variety.com/2004/film/news/supe-s-on-with-x-man-1117907948/| title = Supe’s on with ‘X’ man | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = July 18, 2004 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> Singer stated that he "didn’t fully have ''X-Men 3'' in my mind" in contrast to a fully formed idea for a [[Superman]] film and interest in joining that franchise.<ref name=fix>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/22/x-men-days-of-future-past-director-bryan-singer-says-he-will-be-repairing-things-that-went-wrong-in-the-brett-ratner-directed-x-men-last-stand | title=Bryan Singer Will Be "Fixing S**t" From X-Men: The Last Stand with Days of Future Past | publisher=IGN | date=February 21, 2013 | accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> By the time of his departure, Singer had only produced a partial [[Film treatment|story treatment]] with ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'' screenwriters [[Dan Harris (screenwriter)|Dan Harris]] and [[Michael Dougherty]], who accompanied him to ''Superman Returns''. The treatment focused on Jean Grey's resurrection,<ref>{{cite web| last = Vespe, Eric (Quint)| title = Quint on Superman Returns gag reel & sequel talk with Singer| publisher = [[Ain't It Cool News]]|date=July 22, 2006| url = http://www.aintitcool.com/node/23943| accessdate = October 6, 2006}}</ref> which would also introduce the villainness [[Emma Frost]], a role intended for [[Sigourney Weaver]].<ref>{{cite web| last = Franklin| first = Garth| title = Sigourney was considered for "X3"| work = [[Dark Horizons]] |date=September 14, 2006| url = http://www.darkhorizons.com/news04/040916e.php| accessdate = October 6, 2006}}</ref> Frost was an [[Empathy|empath]] manipulating Jean's emotions in the treatment and, like the finished film, Magneto desires to control her. Overwhelmed by her powers, Jean kills herself, but Jean's spirit survives and becomes a god-like creature, which Dougherty compared to the star child in ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|A Space Odyssey]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=David | last=Bentley|title=Screenwriter reveals ideas for Singer's planned third X-Men film|work=[[Coventry Telegraph]]|date=November 26, 2008|url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2008/11/x3lit.html|accessdate=November 26, 2008}}</ref> |
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New contracts for returning cast members were made, as the actors and actresses had signed for only two films.<ref>{{cite news | first = Michael|last= Fleming | url =http:// |
New contracts for returning cast members were made, as the actors and actresses had signed for only two films.<ref>{{cite news | first = Michael|last= Fleming | url =http://variety.com/2003/film/news/main-x-man-locks-at-fox-1117896652/ | title = Main 'X' Man at Fox | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = December 4, 2003 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> Hugh Jackman's contract included the approval of director,<ref name=claws>{{cite news | first= John|last= Hiscock | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3652442/How-I-got-my-claws-into-Hollywood.html | title = How I got my claws into Hollywood | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = May 19, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> initially offering the position to [[Darren Aronofsky]], with whom he had just finished filming on ''[[The Fountain]]''.<ref>{{cite news | first= Sara |last=Vilkomerson | url =http://insidemovies.ew.com/2010/12/07/hugh-jackman-the-wolverine-darren-aronovsky/| title = Hugh Jackman exclusive: How 'The Wolverine' director Darren Aronofsky got the star calling up The Rock | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = December 7, 2010 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> [[Joss Whedon]], whose comic book "Gifted" was integrated into the script's plot, turned down the offer because he was working on a ''[[Wonder Woman#Live-action film|Wonder Woman]]'' film.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cinematical.com/2007/04/24/joss-whedon-talks-x-men-4-wonder-woman-woes-and-batman-heartach/ | title=Joss Whedon Talks X-Men 4, Wonder Woman Woes and Batman Heartache | work=[[Moviefone]] | date=April 24, 2007 | accessdate=October 5, 2008 | last=Davis | first=Erik | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506141153/http://www.cinematical.com/2007/04/24/joss-whedon-talks-x-men-4-wonder-woman-woes-and-batman-heartach/ | archivedate=May 6, 2007}}</ref> [[Rob Bowman (filmmaker)|Rob Bowman]]<ref>{{cite web| author=Vejvoda, Jim (Stax)| title = Three for X3?| publisher = IGN|date=October 12, 2006| url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/556/556650p1.html| accessdate = October 11, 2006}}</ref> and [[Alex Proyas]]<ref>{{cite web| last = Vejvoda, Jim (Stax)| title = X3 Director Update| publisher = IGN|date=October 13, 2006| url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/556/556859p1.html| accessdate = October 11, 2006}}</ref> were also rumored to be up for consideration, though Proyas personally turned it down, citing feuds with [[20th Century Fox]] president [[Thomas Rothman]] while producing ''[[I, Robot (film)|I, Robot]]''.<ref>{{cite web| last = Vejvoda, Jim (Stax)| title = X3 trailer with FF?| publisher = IGN |date=February 17, 2005| url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/588/588539p1.html | accessdate = October 11, 2006}}</ref> [[Zack Snyder]] was also approached, but he was already committed to ''[[300 (film)|300]]''.<ref>{{cite news | first= Robert |last=Sanchez | title = Exclusive Interview: Zack Snyder Is Kickin' Ass With 300 and Watchmen! | publisher = IESB | date = February 13, 2007 | url = http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1883&Itemid=99 | accessdate = February 14, 2007}}</ref> In February 2005, with still no director hired, Fox announced a May 5, 2006, release date, with filming to start in July 2005 in [[Vancouver]].<ref name=tax>{{cite news | first= Don|last= Townson | url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117918085 | title = Tax credit creation| work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = February 16, 2005 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> One month later, the studio signed [[Matthew Vaughn]] to direct, and pushed the release date three weeks to May 26, [[Memorial Day]] weekend.<ref>{{cite news | first= Dave|last= McNary | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117919936| title = Next 'X-Men' firms up| work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = March 21, 2005 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> Vaughn cast Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Dania Ramirez as Callisto, and Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut, but family issues led him to withdraw before filming began.<ref name=family/><ref>{{cite news | author = Staff | title=Director quits X-Men 3 for family | work=[[BBC Online]]| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4600291.stm | accessdate=December 11, 2010 |date=June 1, 2005}}</ref> Vaughn was also cautious of the tight deadlines imposed by Fox, stating that he "didn't have the time to make the movie that I wanted to make".<ref name=star>{{cite news | first= John |last=Hiscock | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3668336/Matthew-Vaughn-The-Brit-whos-making-the-stars-shine.html| title = Matthew Vaughn: The Brit who's making the stars shine | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = October 5, 2007 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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[[Brett Ratner]], who was previously considered to direct ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' in 1996, replaced Vaughn during pre-production.<ref name=family>{{cite news | author = Fleming, Michael, and Clause Brodesser | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117923934 | title = New master for mutants | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = June 5, 2005 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> Ratner said he was surprised to get an invitation, as he thought he would have no chances on doing a comic book film after the cancelled ''[[Superman: Flyby]]''.<ref name=about>{{cite news | first= Rebecca|last= Murray | url = http://movies.about.com/od/xmen3/a/xmen3br052506.htm | title = Director Brett Ratner Discusses X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[About.com]] | date = May 25, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> With a limited knowledge of the ''X-Men'' mythos, Ratner trusted his writers on doing something faithful to the comics, having the script drawing all of its scenes from the original Marvel publications.<ref name="ratner commentary"/> |
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[[Brett Ratner]], who was previously considered as the director for ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' in 1996, replaced Vaughn during pre-production.<ref name=family>{{cite news | author = Fleming, Michael, and Clause Brodesser | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117923934 | title = New master for mutants | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = June 5, 2005 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> On June 13, 2005, a review of an incomplete early draft of the screenplay posted by [[Drew McWeeny]] from [[Ain't It Cool News]] sparked controversy from fans, due to certain main characters' storylines;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/20443 | title=AICN EXCLUSIVE! X3 Script Review! Plus An Open Letter To Tom Rothman And Fox Stockholders!! | work=[[Ain't It Cool News]] | author="Moriaty" (pseudonym) |date=June 13, 2005 | accessdate=June 5, 2006}}</ref> however, that was the very first of over two dozen drafts of the script. Most notably the Golden Gate Bridge sequence was originally in the middle of the film, but Ratner decided it would create a more dramatic climax if moved to the end,<ref name="San Francisco Chronicle">{{cite news| first= Hugh|last= Hart | title=Industry Buzz| work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/23/PKGU9GIREH1.DTL | accessdate=June 5, 2006 | date=April 23, 2006}}</ref> which was originally to take place in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="premiere.com">{{cite web|title=Cover Story: X-Men: The Last Stand (Page 3 of 4)|work=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]|url=http://www.premiere.com/behindthescenes/2748/cover-story-x-men-the-last-stand-page3.html|accessdate=December 26, 2007|date=May 2006|first=Tom|last=Russo|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071226013420/http://www.premiere.com/behindthescenes/2748/cover-story-x-men-the-last-stand-page3.html|archivedate=December 26, 2007}}</ref> Mutants were initially held on Alcatraz as prisoners, but Ratner changed the bridge escape in the middle to highlight The Dark Phoenix rising scene in the climax.<ref name=Seymour>{{cite news | first= Mike |last=Seymour | url = http://www.fxguide.com/article357.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130514095443/http://www.fxguide.com/featured/x-men_extreme_makeover/ | archivedate = 2013-05-14 | title = X-Men: Extreme Makeover | work = [[fxguide]] | date = June 12, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= Rebecca|last= Murray | url = http://movies.about.com/od/xmen3/a/xmen3br052506.htm | title = Director Brett Ratner Discusses X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[About.com]] | date = May 25, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> He also expanded Halle Berry's role as Storm. The actress stated during interviews for ''X2'' that she would not return unless the character had a significant presence comparable to the comic book version.<ref name="UGO 2">{{cite web | title=Halle Berry of X-Men: The Last Stand | work=[[UGO Networks]] | url=http://www.ugo.com/summermovies/Content/ProductViewer.aspx?BlogsPageNumber=3&ProductID=172 | accessdate=July 18, 2006 | date=May 24, 2006 | first=Daniel Robert | last=Epstein | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060718103731/http://www.ugo.com/summermovies/Content/ProductViewer.aspx?BlogsPageNumber=3&ProductID=172 | archivedate=July 18, 2006}}</ref> [[Maggie Grace]] was considered for Kitty Pryde<ref name=family/> before Ratner cast Ellen Page. He was impressed with her performance in ''[[Hard Candy (film)|Hard Candy]]'' and did not require an audition.<ref>{{cite news | first= Rebecca |last=Murray | url = http://movies.about.com/od/xmen3/a/xmen3041106.htm | title = Ellen Page Discusses X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[About.com]] | date = April 11, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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===Writing=== |
===Writing=== |
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Simon Kinberg was hired as writer for ''X-Men 3'' in August 2004 |
[[Simon Kinberg]], who had worked in other two Marvel adaptations for Fox, ''[[Fantastic Four (2005 film)|Fantastic Four]]'' and ''[[Elektra (2005 film)|Elektra]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=filmNews&storyID=6384986|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019074119/http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=filmNews&storyID=6384986|archivedate=2004-10-19 |title=Fox, Marvel Tap Kinberg to Draw 'X3' |publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> was hired as writer for ''X-Men 3'' in August 2004. ''X2'' co-writer [[Zak Penn]] was doing his own draft separatedly, and the two joined forces for a combined screenplay in January 2005. Kinberg wanted "[[The Dark Phoenix Saga]]" to be the emotional plot of the film, while "[[Gifted (comics)|Gifted]]" would serve as the political focus.<ref name=one>{{cite news | first = Sean | last = Elliot | url = http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1525 | title = Exclusive Interview: Screenwriter Simon Kinberg Talks X-Men: The Last Stand - Part 1 | work = [[Electric Entertainment|iF Magazine]] | date = June 8, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080617005244/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1525 | archivedate = June 17, 2008}}</ref> The duo had seven months to complete ''The Last Stand'''s script, and during the first week of work completed the first eighty pages, consisting of the first two-thirds of the plot. This incomplete draft was leaked to [[Ain't It Cool News]], who proceeded to do a negative review.<ref name=goth/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/20443 | title=AICN EXCLUSIVE! X3 Script Review! Plus An Open Letter To Tom Rothman And Fox Stockholders!! | work=[[Ain't It Cool News]] | author=[[Drew McWeeny|McWeeny, Drew]] (Moriaty) |date=June 13, 2005 | accessdate=June 5, 2006}}</ref> |
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The writers had to fight Fox's executives to retain the Phoenix plot, as the studio only wanted the cure story as it provided a reason for Magneto's conflict with the X-Men. Still the disputes made them not add much for Jean Grey to do in most of the film's second half, as the executives considered the tone of the Phoenix story too dark for a mainstream summer movie, and that its appeal would be limited to hardcore fans rather than a general audience.<ref name=goth/> Penn defended the divergences from the original Dark Phoenix stories, stating that the Phoenix was not a [[Phoenix (mythology)|firebird]]-shaped cosmic force "because it doesn’t fit into the world," and that Cyclops did not have as much screentime as Wolverine because the latter was more popular and "with Cyclops, you can’t see his eyes. It’s a harder character to relate to for the audience."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/15/interview-zak-penn-on-the-grand-x-men-fans-and-co-writing-hulk/ |title=INTERVIEW: ZAK PENN ON THE GRAND, X-MEN FANS AND CO-WRITING HULK |accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> Killing Cyclops was Fox's decision, based on the availability of actor James Marsden, who was cast in Singer's ''Superman Returns''. The studio considered killing him off-screen with a dialogue reference, but Kinberg and Penn insisted that Jean kill him, emphasizing their relationship. Xavier's death was intended to match the impact of [[Spock]]'s demise in ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'', as Fox felt the script called for a dramatic turning point. Kinberg and Penn were originally cautious, but grew to like the idea of killing off Xavier. They decided to write a post-credits scene suggesting the character's return for a sequel.<ref name=goth>{{cite news | first= Steve |last=Biodrowski | url =http://www.hollywoodgothique.com/2006/06/x-men-3-writers-speak-2/ | title = X-Men 3 writers speak | work = Hollywood Gothique | date = June 12, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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As the studio was simultaneously developing ''[[X-Men Origins: Wolverine]]'', limitations were set on which mutants could be used for cameo appearances in ''X-Men 3'' in an attempt to avoid risking character development for ''Wolverine''.<ref>{{cite news | first = Sean | last = Elliot | url = http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1527 | title = Exclusive Interview: Screenwriter Simon Kinberg Talks X-Men: The Last Stand - Part 3 | work = [[Electric Entertainment|iF Magazine]] | date = June 20, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080614061546/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1527 | archivedate = June 14, 2008}}</ref> [[Gambit (comics)|Gambit]] was considered for both the convoy scene being freed by Magneto and the Battle of Alcatraz along with the X-Men, but the writers did not want to introduce a fan favorite character and "not be able to do him justice." Kinberg reasoned, "there just wasn't enough space", and considered Gambit would only work with as much screentime as Beast.<ref name="ratner commentary"/><ref name=one/> [[Alan Cumming]] had been uncomfortable with the long hours he had to take with the prosthetic makeup as [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]] in ''X2'', but still planned to return for the sequel. The part of Nightcrawler was so minimal, however, that the studio felt it was not worthwhile to go through the long and costly makeup process, and the character was cut.<ref name="CBR News">{{cite web | title="X-Men: The Last Stand" – Dave Gorder - The Super-Associate Producer | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6747 | accessdate=June 5, 2006 |date=February 23, 2006 | first=George A. |last=Tramountanas}}</ref> Kinberg felt that "there wasn't much left to do with the character. It also felt like he might tread a little bit on the terrain of Beast, in terms of similarities in the characters and their political standpoints in terms of dealing with their mutancy." Nightcrawler's absence was later explained in [[X-Men: The Official Game|the tie-in video game]].<ref name=one/> The introdutory scenes tried to emulate the Auschwitz opener for the first film, going with different scenes that resonated later in the plot instead of an action scene like in most [[blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbusters]]. Afterwards came a scene in the [[Danger Room]], which was considered for the previous ''X-Men'' films but never included for budget and writing concerns. The writers tried to make the simulation not feel extraneous by showcasing some of the character conflicts and abilities in a "[[Days of Future Past]]"-inspired battle with a Sentinel. Another repurposed scene was Magneto attacking the convoy to free Mystique, Madrox and Juggernaut, which Penn had previously envisioned for ''X2''.<ref name="ratner commentary"/> |
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Ratner collaborated with Penn and Kinberg in rearranging the plot structure of the film.<ref name=about/> Originally, the Golden Gate Bridge sequence was in the middle of the film, where the moved bridge was used by Magneto to free mutants being held prisoners on Alcatraz, and the climax was set in [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref name="premiere.com">{{cite web|title=Cover Story: X-Men: The Last Stand (Page 3 of 4)|work=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]|url=http://www.premiere.com/behindthescenes/2748/cover-story-x-men-the-last-stand-page3.html|accessdate=December 26, 2007|date=May 2006|first=Tom|last=Russo|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071226013420/http://www.premiere.com/behindthescenes/2748/cover-story-x-men-the-last-stand-page3.html|archivedate=December 26, 2007}}</ref> Ratner felt too many recent action films, such as ''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' and ''X2'' itself, had their ending in Washington, and the Golden Gate sequence "would be the biggest sequence in my entire career", and suggested to instead put the Worthington laboratory in Alcatraz, along with "creating a face for the cure", which became the character of Jimmy/Leech. Kinberg agreed, as he previously argued with Penn about "blowing so many things early in the movie".<ref name="ratner commentary"/><ref name="San Francisco Chronicle">{{cite news| first= Hugh|last= Hart | title=Industry Buzz| work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/industrybuzz/article/INDUSTRY-BUZZ-2536575.php | accessdate=June 5, 2006 | date=April 23, 2006}}</ref><ref name=Seymour>{{cite news | first= Mike |last=Seymour | url = http://www.fxguide.com/featured/x-men_extreme_makeover/ |title = X-Men: Extreme Makeover | work = [[fxguide]] | date = June 12, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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As the studio was simultaneously developing ''[[X-Men Origins: Wolverine]]'', limitations were set on which mutants could be used for cameo appearances in ''X-Men 3'' in an attempt to avoid risking character development for ''Wolverine''.<ref>{{cite news | first = Sean | last = Elliot | url = http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1527 | title = Exclusive Interview: Screenwriter Simon Kinberg Talks X-Men: The Last Stand - Part 3 | work = [[Electric Entertainment|iF Magazine]] | date = June 20, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080614061546/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1527 | archivedate = June 14, 2008}}</ref> [[Gambit (comics)|Gambit]] initially appeared in the Battle of Alcatraz climax with the X-Men, but the writers did not want to introduce a fan favorite character and "not be able to do him justice." Kinberg reasoned "there just wasn't enough space."<ref name=one/> [[Alan Cumming]] had been uncomfortable with the long hours he had to take with the prosthetic makeup as [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]] in ''X2'' but still planned to return for the sequel. The part for Nightcrawler was so minimal, however, that the studio felt it was not worthwhile to go through the long and costly makeup process, and the character was cut.<ref name="CBR News">{{cite web | title="X-Men: The Last Stand" – Dave Gorder - The Super-Associate Producer | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6747 | accessdate=June 5, 2006 |date=February 23, 2006 | first=George A. |last=Tramountanas}}</ref> Kinberg felt that "there wasn't much left to do with the character. It also felt like he might tread a little bit on the terrain of Beast; in terms of similarities in the characters and their political standpoints in terms of dealing with their mutancy." Nightcrawler's absence was later explained in [[X-Men: The Official Game|the tie-in video game]].<ref name=one/> |
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===Filming=== |
===Filming=== |
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''X-Men: The Last Stand'' began shooting in August 2005 and |
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' began shooting in August 2005 and wrapped in January 2006. Much of the film was shot at [[Vancouver Film Studios]], the same location of ''X2''.<ref name="tax"/><ref name="CBR News"/> Locations included the [[Hatley Park National Historic Site]] and [[Royal Roads University]], which doubled for the X-Mansion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.royalroads.ca/rru-news/location-location-royal-roads-stars-many-films | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120305215030/http://www.royalroads.ca/rru-news/location-location-royal-roads-stars-many-films | archivedate =5 March 2012 | title = Location, location: Royal Roads stars in many films | work = [[Royal Roads University]] | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> According to associate producer Dave Gordon, "This is the biggest production ever filmed in Canada. It used to be ''X2'', now it's ''X3''."<ref name="CBR News"/> The $210 million budget also made ''The Last Stand'' the [[list of most expensive films|most expensive film]] to be made at the time.<ref name=marks/><ref name=claws/><ref>{{cite news | first= Sharon |last=Waxman | title = A Big Gorilla Weighs In | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = October 27, 2005}}</ref> The film's record would be first broken by ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]''’s $225 million budget.<ref>{{cite web|author=Coyle, J|date=December 14, 2009|title=From 'Cleopatra' to 'Lord of the Rings,' 'Avatar' joins tradition of the Hollywood colossus|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-us-film-risky-movies,0,2643825.story|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5m6OlarMy|archivedate=December 17, 2009}}</ref> The original [[cinematographer]] was [[Philippe Rousselot]], who eventually opted to depart production. [[Dante Spinotti]], a frequent collaborator of Ratner, replaced him, with assistance of [[J. Michael Muro]].<ref name=notes>{{cite press release|title=X-Men: The Last Stand production notes|publisher=20th Century Fox|year=2006|url=http://predoc.org/docs/index-232077.html|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2006/film/awards/james-muro-2-1117935673/|title=James Muro|work=Variety|date=January 8, 2006 |accessdate=March 25, 2014|first=Michael|last=Goldman}}</ref> Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairmen [[Thomas Rothman]] and [[Jim Gianopulos]] debated whether Rogue should give Iceman a passionate kiss at the film's end or simply hold his hand. The two executives screened ''The Last Stand'' for their daughters, as well as the studio's female marketing executives, and the hand holding prevailed. Gianopulos stated that the kissing "was all about sex, and we didn't want that."<ref>{{cite news | first=Laura M. |last=Holson | title = Fox's Own Superheroes: A Daring Duo at the Studio | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = June 12, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> A strong campaign of secrecy about the script was enforced by Ratner and the writers. Even the actors had problems with getting full screenplays, and many scenes were shot in varied ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecinemasource.com/blog/interviews/aaron-stanford-interview-for-x-men-3-the-last-stand/|date=January 28, 2008|title=Aaron Stanford Interview|author=Snart, Stephen|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> Both of the ending scenes were not included on the shooting script, with Ratner taking a small crew during one day's lunch time to film the post-credits scene with Xavier, and later going to London to film Magneto in the park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/91101-that-x-men-secret-ending|title=That X-Men Secret Ending!|publisher=Superhero Hype|author=Douglas, Edward|date=May 29, 2006|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Visual effects=== |
===Visual effects=== |
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To make sure the visual effects were made in just one year and without exceeding the budget, special effects supervisor John Bruno shipped the 900 effects shots to eleven companies in four countries - United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada - and did extensive [[previsualization]].<ref name=awn>{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/articles/production/ix-meni-last-vfx-stand|publisher=AWN.com | title=X-Men: The Last VFX Stand|first=Tara|last=DiLullo|date=June 1, 2006|accessdate=October 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Seymour/> Their work begun in April 2005, before the director Brett Ratner had even been announced,<ref name=marks/> and Bruno made sure to emphasize practical effects, "shoot as many practical elements as possible, and only use [[computer-generated imagery|CG]] when we had to." For instance, complex wirework rigs were employed which enabled the actors to do some stunts without resorting to digital doubles,<ref name=cinefex>{{cite journal | title=Dark Phoenix Rising|first=Jody|last=Duncan|journal=[[Cinefex]]|issue=106|date=July 2006|pages=36–65}}</ref> including a computer controlled flying rig from [[Cirque Du Soleil]] for Angel's flight,<ref name=Seymour/> and one for Halle Berry's flying spins that caused the actress to become sick and vomit.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/06/12/halle_berry_recalls_throwing_up_on_x_men/ | title=Halle Berry Recalls Throwing Up on 'X-Men' Crew | publisher=Star Pulse | date=June 12, 2006 | accessdate=4 March 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814113114/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/06/12/halle_berry_recalls_throwing_up_on_x_men/ | archivedate=August 14, 2007}}</ref> Bruno estimates one-sixth of the effects budget was spent on the Golden Gate Bridge scene, which employed both a miniature of the bridge and computer graphics.<ref name=marks>{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Daly|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1201520,00.html|title=X Marks the Shots|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 6, 2006|accessdate=September 12, 2009}}</ref> Another miniature was for the Grey home, which had a destructable equivalent matched the Canadian location and also had a digital equivalent.<ref name=cinefex/> A notable effect was the "digital skin-grafting", which rejuvenated the faces of senior actors [[Patrick Stewart]] and [[Ian McKellen]], made by the [[Brothers Strause]]'s Lola Visual Effects.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2006/Volume-29-Issue-6-June-2006-/Face-Off.aspx | title=Face Off | publisher=Computer Graphics World | date=June 2006 | accessdate=4 February 2014 | author=Robertson, Barbara}}</ref> Bruno made sure to ask the atomization made by Phoenix was not too vivid and gruesome, instead resembling [[oatmeal]].<ref name=Seymour/> |
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===Music=== |
===Music=== |
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{{main|X-Men: The Last Stand (soundtrack)}} |
{{main|X-Men: The Last Stand (soundtrack)}} |
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Ratner |
Ratner, a fan of [[John Powell]]'s work in ''[[The Bourne Identity (2002 film)|The Bourne Identity]]'', invited Powell to write the music for ''X3''. Powell included references to the score from the previous two films. "It all had to be in the same family, and the same language," he said. He used lyrics from [[Benjamin Britten]]'s ''[[Requiem|Requiem Mass]]'' for the choir parts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scorenotes.com/interviewArchive/john_powell_interview.html|title=An Interview with John Powell|publisher=ScoreNotes.com|date=November 2006|accessdate=January 20, 2011}}</ref> A soundtrack album was released on May 23, 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/x-men-the-last-stand-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000420611 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] | publisher=[[Allmusic]] | accessdate=March 11, 2014 | author=James Christopher Monger}}</ref> |
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==Marketing== |
==Marketing== |
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The marketing for ''The Last Stand'' was darker and more ambiguous compared to the two predecessors. Fox president Tom Rothman declared that the decision were made so the film would "be different from all of the other movies in the summer,” with a campaign that "wanted people to stop and not have it be so immediately apparent that we’re selling a movie. We’re interested in selling an emotion and an idea.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2006/film/news/tights-in-a-twist-1117940355/ |title=Tights in a twist |publisher=''Variety''|accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> The film's official website was launched in October 2005.<ref>{{cite news | author = | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/89653-x3-teaser-site-online | title = X2 Teaser Site Online | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = October 14, 2005 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> The [[teaser trailer]] release with ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' the following December<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.joblo.com/?id=9535 | title=X3 teaser trailer! | publisher=JoBlo Media Inc. | work=[[JoBlo.com]] | date=December 5, 2005 | accessdate=February 6, 2014 | last=Sampson | first=Mike | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023075124/http://www.joblo.com/?id=9535 | archivedate=October 23, 2012}}</ref> was done in conjunction with the studio releasing the film's first official screen shots of the film to ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news | first= Scott|last= Bowles | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-12-04-x3_x.htm | title = New mutants, director recharge 'X3' | work = [[USA Today]] | date = December 4, 2005 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> [[Diamond Comic Distributors|Diamond Select Toys]] created a toy line, scanning the actors from the film with likenesses for the first time in the trilogy.<ref>{{cite news | author = | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/90115-diamond-select-toys-on-board-for-x3| title = Diamond Select Toys on Board for X3 | date = January 25, 2006 | publisher = Superhero Hype! | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> Additional product [[tie-in]]s came with [[Harley-Davidson]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2006_Campaigns/x3_minisite.jsp?locale=en_US | title = X3 Minisite | publisher = [[Harley-Davidson]] Motor Company | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> and [[7-Eleven]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/promotion-incentive/e3id5be315f15f95c42cb928d9fec3ebb3b | title='Apocalypic' Slurpee Hits 7-Eleven | work=[[Brandweek]] | date=April 30, 2009 | accessdate=December 13, 2010 | last=Polikarpov | first=Yana | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503215616/http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/promotion-incentive/e3id5be315f15f95c42cb928d9fec3ebb3b | archivedate=May 3, 2009}}</ref> A seven-minute sneak peek aired on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Broadcasting]] two weeks before the film's theatrical release.<ref>{{cite news | author = | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/90945-7-minute-x-men-sneak-peek-now-online | title = 7-Minute X-Men Sneak Peek Now Online! | publisher = Superhero Hype! | date = May 11, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> [[Del Rey Books]] published a [[novelization]] of the film, written by comic book writer [[Chris Claremont]],<ref>{{cite book | isbn=0-345-49211-0 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand | publisher=Del Rey | last=Claremont | first=Chris | authorlink=Chris Claremont}}</ref> while [[Newmarket Press]] published ''The Art of X-Men: The Last Stand: From Concept to Feature Film''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1557047340 | title = The Art of X-Men: The Last Stand: From Concept to Feature Film | work = [[Amazon.com]] | date = May 26, 2006 | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> |
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===Video game=== |
===Video game=== |
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{{Main|X-Men: The Official Game}} |
{{Main|X-Men: The Official Game}} |
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[[Activision]] released a tie-in video game, ''[[X-Men: The Official Game]]'', co-written by screenwriter Zak Penn and Claremont, bridging the events between ''X2'' and ''The Last Stand''.<ref>{{cite news | first= Edward |last=Douglas | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/90651-zak-penn-on-his-potential-x-men-spin-off | title = Zak Penn on His Potential X-Men Spin-off | date = April 11, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7048 | title = E3: Zak Penn Talks 'X-Men: The Last Stand' Game & Film | publisher=[[ComicBookResources.com]] | date= May 11, 2006 | first= Jeremy | last=Goldstone | archivedate= March 2, 2014 | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20140302183737/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7048 | deadurl=no}} Archive link requires text-blocking to make black text on black background appear.</ref> Actor Hugh Jackman showed clips at the [[National Association of Theatre Owners|ShoWest]] tradeshow exhibition in March 2006, after accepting the Award for Male Star of the Year.<ref>{{cite news | author = | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/90493-jackman-shows-x-men-clips-at-showest | title = Jackman Shows X-Men Clips at ShoWest | publisher = Superhero Hype! | date = March 16, 2006 | accessdate = December 12, 2010}}</ref> |
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[[Activision]] released a tie-in video game, co-written by screenwriter Zak Penn and Claremont, bridging the events between ''X2''. |
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==Release and reception== |
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==Reception== |
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[[File:US Navy 060524-N-7365V-090 U.S. Navy Fleet Week New York 2006.jpg|thumb|Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Kelsey Grammer at the [[USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)|USS ''Kearsarge'' (LHD-3)]] for an advance screening.|alt=Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Kelsey Grammer hold a flag with the X-Men: The Last Stand logo and the inscription "We Salute Our Troops" in a ship's deck.]] |
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''X-Men: The Last Stand'' premiered at an out-of-competition event of the [[2006 Cannes Film Festival]] on May 22, 2006.<ref name=Corliss>{{cite news | last = Corliss | first=Richard | url = http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1620697,00.html | title = X-Men, Keanu and Other Mutants | work = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date = May 26, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010 | authorlink = Richard Corliss}}</ref> Two days later, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Kelsey Grammer attended an advance screening at [[USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)|USS ''Kearsarge'' (LHD-3)]], as the ship was en route to New York City for [[Fleet Week]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=23865 | title=X-Men Visit Kearsarge | publisher=United States Department of Navy | date=May 27, 2006 | accessdate=February 15, 2014 | author=Keilman, Robert}}</ref> ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' was released in the United States on May 26, 2006, in 3,690 theaters,<ref name="box" /> while also opening in 95 international markets that same weekend.<ref name=bow/> |
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===Critical response=== |
===Critical response=== |
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''X-Men: The Last Stand'' received a mixed reception. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave the |
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' received a mixed reception. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave the film a score of 57% based on reviews from 228 critics, with an average score of 5.9/10.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_3_the_last_stand/ | title = X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] calculated an average score of 58/100, based on 38 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/movie/x-men-the-last-stand| title = X-Men: The Last Stand | work = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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''[[At the Movies (U.S. TV series)|Ebert and Roeper]]'' gave the film a "two thumbs up" rating, with [[Roger Ebert]] |
''[[At the Movies (U.S. TV series)|Ebert and Roeper]]'' gave the film a "two thumbs up" rating, with [[Roger Ebert]] saying, "I liked the action, I liked the absurdity, I liked the incongruous use and misuse of mutant powers, and I especially liked the way it introduces all of those political issues and lets them fight it out with the special effects."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/REVIEWS/60509005/1023 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130310205908/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/REVIEWS/60509005/1023 | archivedate=10 March 2013 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand (PG-13) | publisher=rogerebert.com|accessdate=June 5, 2006|first=Roger|last= Ebert}}</ref> [[Salon.com]] gave it a mixed review, noting that it was "only half a mess", and that Ratner "could have stuck a bit more closely to the 'Dark Phoenix' narrative than he did." However, Salon did note that that third act captured some of the original story's "majesty".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.salon.com/2006/05/26/xmen_stand/ | title=X-Men: The Last Stand | publisher=Salon.com | accessdate=January 31, 2012}}</ref> |
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[[Famke Janssen]]'s performance was praised by critics and audiences. Also impressed with Janssen's performance was ''[[Total Film]]'', who said, "Playing the super-freaky mind-control goddess like ''[[GoldenEye]]''’s [[List of James Bond henchmen in GoldenEye#Xenia Onatopp|Xenia Onatopp]]’s all-powerful psycho sister, her scenes – particularly that one with the house – crackle with energy and tragedy. If only the rest of ''X3'' had followed suit."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.totalfilm.com/cinema_reviews/x-men_the_last_stand | title=X-Men: The Last Stand - Film Review | publisher=''[[Total Film]]'' | accessdate=October 11, 2007 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606112510/http://www.totalfilm.com/cinema_reviews/x-men_the_last_stand | archivedate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> |
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Justin Chang of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said the film |
Justin Chang of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said the film was "a wham-bam [[sequel]] noticeably lacking in the pop [[gravitas]], moody atmospherics, and emotional weight that made the first two Marvel comicbook adaptations so rousingly successful."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117930584 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026110046/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117930584/ | archivedate=26 October 2012 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand | publisher=Reed Business Information | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=May 22, 2006 | first=Justin|last= Chang}}</ref> [[Frank Lovece]] of ''[[Film Journal International]]'' said, "A risk-taking script with genuine consequences elevates this ... above the lackluster direction of Brett Ratner, whose competent mechanics move the story efficiently but with very little soul."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://filmjournal.com/filmjournal/reviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576127 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080626055900/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/reviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576127 | archivedate=26 June 2008 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand | publisher=filmjournal.com | work=Film Journal International |date=May 22, 2006 | author=Lovece, Frank | authorlink=Frank Lovece}}</ref> [[Lisa Schwarzbaum]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called it a ""diminished sequel, a brute-force enterprise" and said it was an example of "what happens when movies are confused with sandwich shops as franchise opportunities".<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1200037,00.html | title=X-Men: The Last Stand review | publisher=Entertainment Weekly | work=Entertainment Weekly | date=June 2, 2006 | accessdate=January 31, 2012 | author=Schwarzbaum, Lisa}}</ref> The Minneapolis ''[[Star Tribune]]'' characterized Ratner's approach as "Forget subtlety! Let's blow things up!"<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/11524436.html | title='X-Men' trilogy goes down in flames | work= [[Star Tribune]]|location=[[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | date=May 25, 2006 | accessdate=January 31, 2012 | author=Covert, Colin}}</ref> [[David Edelstein]] of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine called it "just another big-budget B-movie. It’s a fast and enjoyable B-movie, though."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/17071/index1.html | title=Oh, Jesus | work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] | date=May 21, 2006 | accessdate=January 31, 2012 | author=Edelstein, David}}</ref> Foreshadowing ''[[X-Men: First Class]]'', [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said, "Last stand? My ass. Billed as the climax of a trilogy, the third and weakest chapter in the X-Men series is a blatant attempt to prove there is still life in the franchise. And there is: just enough to pull a ''Star Trek'' and spawn a ''Next Generation'' saga."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/x-men-the-last-stand-20060526 | title=X-Men: The Last Stand Movie Review | publisher=Rolling Stone | work=Rolling Stone | date=May 26, 2006 | accessdate=January 31, 2012 | author=Travers, Peter}}</ref> |
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[[ |
Writer Simon Kinberg would later state that "there are a lot of things about ‘X3′ that I love and there are a lot of things that I regret", detailing that he would have preferred the Dark Phoenix as the main plotline and "I would have fought harder" for that, considering that at the period "the darkness of her story was a little bit daunting on a huge $200 million studio movie" leading Fox to ask for rewrites.<ref name=crush>{{cite web|title=Writer-Producer Simon Kinberg on ‘X-Men: Days Of Future Past’ and Tearing Down ‘The Last Stand’ |url=http://screencrush.com/simon-kinberg-x-men-days-of-future-past/?trackback=tsmclip|first=Mike|last=Ryan|date=May 19, 2014|publisher=Screencrush|accessdate=May 26, 2014}}</ref> Previous ''X-Men'' director Bryan Singer declared that ''The Last Stand'' "isn’t what I would have done" and he was dissatisfied with the busy plot and excessive character deaths, but Singer still liked some parts of the movie, such as Ellen Page's casting - leading Singer to bring her back as Kitty Pride in ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'' - and the scenes with Leech, which he described as "really sweet moments".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/03/17/everything-else-bryan-singer-told-me-about-x-men-days-of-future-past/ | title=Everything Else Bryan Singer Told Me About X-Men: Days Of Future Past| publisher=Bleeding Cool | date=March 17, 2013 | accessdate=January 31, 2014 | author=Connelly, Brendon}}</ref> Matthew Vaughn, who was attached as director before dropping out, criticized Ratner's direction: "I could have done something with far more emotion and heart. I'm probably going to be told off for saying that, but I genuinely believe it."<ref name="star" /> While promoting his own installment of the franchise, 2011's ''[[X-Men: First Class]]'', Vaughn would say regarding ''The Last Stand'' that “I storyboarded the whole bloody film, did the script. My ''X3'' would have been 40 minutes longer. They didn't let the emotions and the drama play in that film. It became wall-to-wall noise and drama. I would have let it breathe and given far more dramatic elements to it."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://collider.com/x-men-first-class-sequel/92795/ | title=Matthew Vaughn Talks X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, Possible Sequel, James Bond, and the X3 That Could Have Been | publisher=Collider | date=May 24, 2011 | accessdate=January 31, 2012 | author=Chitwood, Adam}}</ref> |
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===Box office=== |
===Box office=== |
||
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' |
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' broke the [[Memorial Day]] weekend record with $102,750,665 in its four-day opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news | first = Sean |last=Salisbury | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/siteinfo/?id=2260&p=.htm| title = Q. What records were broken in 2006?| publisher = IMDB | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | date = February 25, 2007 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> The film's release was also a new single-day record for Friday openings.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Fri&p=.htm | title=Single Day Records: Highest Grossing Fridays | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=December 11, 2010}}</ref> The opening weekend gross was surpassed six weeks later by ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]'', making ''The Last Stand''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s opening the second-highest of 2006.<ref name="year" /> Internationally, ''The Last Stand'' topped the box office in 26 countries with a total gross of $76.1 million overall, but suffered competition from ''[[The Da Vinci Code (film)|The Da Vinci Code]]'', which retained the top spot in most markets, and beat ''The Last Stand'' in international gross that weekend with $91 million.<ref name=bow>{{cite web|url=http://business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-147058439/da-vinci-fights-off-xmen-bow-holds-overseas-909-mil|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|title='Da Vinci' fights off 'X-Men' bow: holds overseas with $90.9 mil to sci-fi film's $76.1 mil start.(boxoffice: WEEKEND ANALYSIS)|date=May 30, 2006|accessdate=January 21, 2011|author=Hollinger, Hy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2079&p=.htm|title=Around the World Roundup: 'Da Vinci' Withstands 'X-Men'|first=Conor|last=Bresnan|date=May 30, 2006|accessdate=January 21, 2011}}</ref> The film's second weekend dropped 67 percent to $34 million, which was the steepest post-Memorial Day opening drop on record.<ref>{{cite news | first= Brandon|last= Gray | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2084&p=.htm | title = Exes Exceed 'X-Men' | publisher = | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | date = June 5, 2006 | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' eventually grossed $234,362,462 in the domestic box office and $224,997,093 internationally, for a worldwide total of $459,359,555,<ref name=box>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=x3.htm |title=X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) |publisher= | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=December 11, 2010}}</ref> the fourth-highest in domestic grosses<ref name=year>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2006&p=.htm | title = 2006 Domestic Grosses | publisher = | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> and seventh-highest worldwide for 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2006&p=.htm | title=2006 Worldwide Grosses | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=December 11, 2010}}</ref> ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' was also the highest-grossing film in the franchise.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=xmen.htm| title = Franchises: X-Men | publisher = | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate = December 11, 2010}}</ref> |
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===Accolades=== |
===Accolades=== |
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[[Famke Janssen]]'s performance was praised by critics and audiences. Also impressed with Janssen's performance were ''[[Total Film]]'', who said, "playing the super-freaky mind-control goddess like ''[[GoldenEye]]''’s [[List of James Bond henchmen in GoldenEye#Xenia Onatopp|Xenia Onatopp]]’s all-powerful psycho sister, her scenes – particularly that one with the house – crackle with energy and tragedy. If only the rest of ''X3'' had followed suit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/cinema_reviews/x-men_the_last_stand|title=X-Men: The Last Stand - Film Review|publisher=''[[Total Film]]''|accessdate=October 11, 2007}}</ref> During her acceptance speech, [[Halle Berry]] asked all fans who wanted to see an "X-Men 4" to write letters to Rothman asking for another film.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWu1EbVeAVQ YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Result |
! Result |
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|rowspan=2|[[12th Empire Awards|Empire Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/awards/scifi.asp |title=Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |publisher=[[Bauer Consumer Media]] |year=2007 |accessdate=September 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/awards/scene_shortlist.asp |title=Scene Of The Year (shortlisted) |work=Empire |publisher=[[Bauer Consumer Media]] |year=2007 |accessdate=September 18, 2011 }}</ref> |
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|[[The 4th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards 2007|Irish Film & Television Award]] |
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|Best |
|Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy |
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| |
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|rowspan=2|[[Ian McKellen]] |
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|{{nom}} |
|{{nom}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|Scene Of The Year |
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|rowspan=3|[[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Award]] |
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|The Phoenix and Professor X showdown |
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|Best Choice Sleazebag |
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|{{ |
|{{Nom}} |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Costume Designers Guild Awards]]<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.costumedesignersguild.com/cdg-magazine/the-costume-designer-winter-07.pdf | title=CDG Awards:Excellence in Film Fantasy | publisher=[[Costume Designers Guild]] | date=Winter 2007 | accessdate=June 18, 2011 | journal=The Costume Designer | format=PDF | page=20 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110124235856/http://www.costumedesignersguild.com/cdg-magazine/the-costume-designer-winter-07.pdf | archivedate=January 24, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rowspan=2|Best Choice Liplock |
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| Excellence in Costume Design for Film – Fantasy |
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|[[Hugh Jackman]] |
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| Judianna Makovsky |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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|[[The 4th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards 2007|Irish Film & Television Award]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ifta.ie/winners/iftawinners2007.html | title=The 4th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards Winners | publisher=Irish Film and Television Academy | accessdate=January 17, 2009}}</ref> |
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|Best International Actor |
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|[[Ian McKellen]] |
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|{{nom}} |
|{{nom}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|rowspan=3|[[33rd People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Award]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/index.jsp?year=2007 | title=People's Choice Awards 2007 Nominees | publisher=PeoplesChoice.com | accessdate=March 17, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rowspan=2|[[Famke Janssen]] |
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|Favorite Movie Drama |
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| |
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|{{nom}} |
|{{nom}} |
||
|- |
|- |
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|Favorite Movie |
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|[[Saturn Award]] |
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| |
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|[[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]<ref>{{cite news | first= David S. |last=Cohen | title = 'Superman' tops Saturns | publisher = ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' | date = May 10, 2007 | url = http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117964717.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121013045616/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117964717.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 | archivedate = 2012-10-13 | accessdate=May 11, 2007}}</ref> |
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|{{ |
|{{nom}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|Favorite Female Action Star |
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|[[People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Award]] |
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|[http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/index.jsp?year=2007 Favorite Female Action Star] |
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|[[Halle Berry]] |
|[[Halle Berry]] |
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|{{Won}} |
|{{Won}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|[[Satellite Award]]<ref name="st">{{cite web | url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202121119/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml | archivedate=12 February 2007 | title=2006 11th Annual Satellite Awards | publisher=[[International Press Academy]] | accessdate=June 18, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rowspan=3|[[Satellite Award]] |
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| |
||[[Satellite Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] |
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|[[Mark Helfrich (film editor)|Mark Helfrich]] |
|[[Mark Helfrich (film editor)|Mark Helfrich]], [[Mark Goldblatt]], [[Julia Wong (film editor)|Julia Wong]] |
||
|{{won}} |
|{{won}} |
||
|- |
|- |
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|rowspan=6|[[Saturn Award]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117964717.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 | title='Superman' tops Saturns | publisher=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' | date=May 10, 2007 | accessdate=May 11, 2007 | last=Cohen | first=David S. | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013045616/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117964717.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 | archivedate=October 13, 2012}}</ref> |
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|[[Mark Goldblatt]] |
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|[[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] |
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|Famke Janssen |
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|{{won}} |
|{{won}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|Best Science Fiction Film |
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|[[Julia Wong (film editor)|Julia Wong]] |
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| |
|||
|{{won}} |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|Best Supporting Actor |
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|[[Young Artist Award]] |
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|[[Kelsey Grammer]] |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|Best Music |
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|[[John Powell]] |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|Best Costume |
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|Judianna Makovsky |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|Best Special Effects |
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|John Bruno, Eric Saindon, Craig Lyn |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2|[[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Award]]<ref name="teens2">{{cite web | url=http://scifi.about.com/od/awardsforscififantasy/a/teench_noms2007.htm | title=Teen Choice Awards 2006 | publisher=[[About.com]] | accessdate=June 23, 2011}}</ref> |
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|Best Choice Sleazebag |
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|Ian McKellen |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|Best Choice Liplock |
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|[[Hugh Jackman]] and [[Famke Janssen]] |
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|{{nom}} |
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|- |
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|[[Young Artist Award]]a<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms28.htm | title=Young Artist Awards 28th nominations | publisher=[[Young Artist Awards]] | accessdate=June 18, 2011}}</ref> |
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|Best Supporting Young Actor in a Feature Film |
|Best Supporting Young Actor in a Feature Film |
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|[[Cameron Bright]] |
|[[Cameron Bright]] |
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==Home media== |
==Home media== |
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The |
''X-Men: The Last Stand'' was released on October 3, 2006, on DVD. It was available in three editions: single-disc, two-disc, and a trilogy [[box set]] with the previous two films. Extras included three alternative endings, each with optional commentary by director Brett Ratner; 10 deleted scenes; audio commentaries from Ratner, the writers and the producers; and two hidden [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]]. The two-disc edition came with a 100-page commemorative comic book with a new story written by ''X-Men'' co-creator Stan Lee, his first original Marvel comic book in five years.<ref name=MarvelDVD>{{cite web |url =http://marvel.com/news/movies/2006/10/2/671/x-men_the_last_stand_x-plodes_onto_dvd| title = X-Men: The Last Stand X-plodes onto DVD | date = October 2, 2006 | work = [[Marvel Comics]] | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> The DVD sold 2.6 million units in its first day, exceeding Fox's expectations,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/x-men-kick-starts-dvd-139198 | title = 'X-Men' kick-starts DVD fourth quarter | first= Thomas K. | last= Arnold | date = October 5, 2006 | publisher = Associated Press via ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' | deadurl = no | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020032653/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/home_video/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003220557 | archivedate= October 26, 2006}}</ref> and sold a total 5 million in its first week.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/october-home-vid-takes-stand-141010 | title = October home vid takes 'Stand' | date = October 27, 2006 | first= Thomas K. | last= Arnold | publisher = Associated Press via ''The Hollywood Reporter'' | accessdate = March 2, 2014 | archivedate= March 2, 2014 | deadurl = no | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302183912/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/october-home-vid-takes-stand-141010}}</ref> A [[Blu-ray]] edition of the film was issued in November 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/92141-x-men-the-last-stand-hitting-blu-ray-disc |title=X-Men: The Last Stand Hitting Blu-ray Disc |publisher=Superhero Hype |date=November 1, 2006 |accessdate=March 18, 2014}}</ref> |
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The single-disc came with three alternative endings, each with optional commentary by director Brett Ratner; 10 deleted scenes; audio commentaries from Ratner, the writers and the producers; and two hidden [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]]. The collector's edition came with an exclusive 100-page commemorative comic book with an all-new story written by ''X-Men'' co-creator Stan Lee, his first original Marvel comic book in five years.<ref name=MarvelDVD/> The DVD sold 2.6 million units in its first day, exceeding Fox's expectations,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/91969-record-start-for-x-men-the-last-stand-dvd | title = Record Start for X-Men: The Last Stand DVD | date = October 4, 2006 | work = [[Superhero Hype!]] | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> but errors were reported. About 60% of the DVDs currently in circulation have errors in them. Some DVDs come with only 10 deleted scenes while others come with 21, amongst other errors.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=22333 | title=Region 1 X-Men 3 DVD Error | publisher=Comics2Film | accessdate=October 6, 2006}}</ref> ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' sold an additional 2.4 million units in its first week.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/92015-x-men-the-last-stand-tops-with-5-million-dvds-sold | title = X-Men: The Last Stand Tops with 5 Million DVDs| date = October 11, 2006 | work = [[Superhero Hype!]] | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> ''X-Men: The Last Stand'' was released on [[Blu-ray Disc]] the following November.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Stand-Blu-ray-Hugh-Jackman/dp/B000KC86F4 | title = X-Men - The Last Stand (Blu-ray) | work = [[Amazon.com]] | date=November 14, 2006 | accessdate = December 13, 2010}}</ref> The Blu-ray included several special features: <ref>{{cite web|title=X-Men 3: The Last Stand|url=http://www.foxconnect.com/x-men-3-the-last-stand-24000.html|publisher=FoxConnect|accessdate=6 February 2014}}</ref> |
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* Director and writer commentary by Brett Ratner, Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg |
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* Producer commentary by Avi Arad, Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter |
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* Deleted and extended scenes |
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* Alternate endings |
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* Trailers for ''[[X-Men Origins: Wolverine]]'', ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'', ''[[X2 (film)|X2: X-Men United]]'', ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]'', ''[[The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (film)|The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]]'' and ''[[Fantastic Four (film)|Fantastic Four]]'' |
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==Sequels== |
==Sequels== |
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The next two ''X-Men'' films, ''[[X-Men Origins: Wolverine]]'' (2009) and ''X-Men: First Class'' (2011) were instead [[prequel]]s that took place before the first ''X-Men''. The first installment with a story set after ''The Last Stand'' was ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'', released on July 26, 2013. A [[stand-alone sequel]],<ref>{{cite news |date=October 25, 2012 |last=Hewitt |first=Chris |url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35599 |title=James Mangold Talks The Wolverine |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |accessdate=October 25, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BgFlNCFI |archivedate=October 25, 2012 |deadurl=no}}</ref> ''The Wolverine'' shows Logan heading for Japan to escape the memories of what occurred during ''X-Men: The Last Stand''. Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen reprised their roles, while Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart appear in a [[post-credits scene|mid-credits scene]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 28, 2013 | last = Sullivan | first=Kevin P. | url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1704484/the-wolverine-trailer-hugh-jackman.jhtml | title= Exclusive: Hugh Jackman Digs Into 'The Wolverine' Trailer |publisher=MTV.com |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate= |deadurl=no}}</ref> |
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In January 2006, Rothman stated ''The Last Stand'' is the end of a trilogy, but not necessarily the end of the ''X-Men'' film series. He added that "these three movies work as a trilogy. These characters in this relationship, it's the culmination of that saga. It's the culmination and the resolution of those relationships laid out in the first two movies".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/2006/01/fox_confirms_xmen_4.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207031535/http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/2006/01/fox_confirms_xmen_4.html | archivedate=February 7, 2006 | title=Fox Confirms X-Men 4 | publisher=The Movie Blog | accessdate=June 6, 2006}}</ref> |
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A [[stand-alone sequel]] to the film,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 25, 2012 |last=Hewitt |first=Chris |url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35599 |title=James Mangold Talks The Wolverine |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |accessdate=October 25, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BgFlNCFI |archivedate=October 25, 2012 |deadurl=no}}</ref> ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'', was released on July 26, 2013. The film's plot shows Logan heading for Japan to escape the memories of what occurred during ''X-Men: The Last Stand''. [[Hugh Jackman]] and [[Famke Janssen]] reprised their roles, while [[Ian McKellen]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] appear in a [[post-credits scene|mid-credits scene]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 28, 2013 | last = Sullivan | first=Kevin P. | url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1704484/the-wolverine-trailer-hugh-jackman.jhtml | title= Exclusive: Hugh Jackman Digs Into 'The Wolverine' Trailer |publisher=MTV.com |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate= |deadurl=no}}</ref> |
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A direct sequel to the film, ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'', which is also a direct sequel to '' |
A direct sequel to the film, ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'', which is also a direct sequel to ''First Class'', was released on May 23, 2014, with Jackman, Halle Berry, Stewart, McKellen, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, Kelsey Grammer, Famke Janssen and James Marsden returning in their respective roles.<ref>{{cite web|title= Exclusive: Bryan Singer & Nicholas Hoult on X-Men: Days of Future Past |publisher=Superhero Hype! | url= http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/175033-exclusive-bryan-singer-a-nicholas-hoult-on-x-men-days-of-future-past |date= February 13, 2013|accessdate= February 14, 2013|first= Edward | last=Douglas}}</ref> The plot, inspired by the arc "[[Days of Future Past]]", begins in a [[dystopia]]n future years after ''The Last Stand'', and Wolverine's conscious is [[time travel|sent back into his 1973 self]] so he could guide the past Xavier and Magneto into preventing the catastrophe. The events of the movie end up applying [[retroactive continuity]] to ''The Last Stand'', with the ending set in a newer timeline where Jean and Cyclops are still alive.<ref name=crush/><ref name=fix/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Wikiquote}} |
{{Wikiquote}} |
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* {{Official website|http://www.xmenthelaststanddvd.com/}} |
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080509170447/http://www.xmenthelaststanddvd.com/}} |
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* {{IMDb title|0376994}} |
* {{IMDb title|0376994}} |
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* {{Allmovie title|291112}} |
* {{Allmovie title|291112}} |
Revision as of 18:28, 26 May 2014
X-Men: The Last Stand | |
---|---|
The poster shows Wolverine's claws unsheathed in front of a big X representing "X3". At the middle is the title while at the bottom are the production credits and rating. | |
Directed by | Brett Ratner |
Written by | |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Dante Spinotti |
Edited by | |
Music by | John Powell |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
Countries | United States United Kingdom[1] |
Language | English |
Budget | $210 million[3] |
Box office | $459,359,555 |
X-Men: The Last Stand (also known as X-Men 3 or X3)[4] is a 2006 American-British superhero film, based on the X-Men superhero team introduced in Marvel Comics. The film, distributed by 20th Century Fox, is the third installment in the X-Men film series, and the final of the first trilogy of the series.[5] It was directed by Brett Ratner, written by Simon Kinberg and Zak Penn, and features an ensemble cast, including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin and Famke Janssen. The film's script is loosely based on two X-Men comic book story arcs: "The Dark Phoenix Saga" by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne, and "Gifted" by writer Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday, with a plot that revolves around a "mutant cure" that causes serious repercussions among mutants and humans, and on the resurrection of Jean Grey.
Bryan Singer, who had directed the two previous films, X-Men (2000) and X2 (2003), decided to leave to work on Superman Returns, as he had not even defined the storyline for a third film. Matthew Vaughn, who was initially hired as the new director, left due to personal and professional issues, and was replaced with Ratner. Filming began in August 2005 with a budget of $210 million, and was consequently the most expensive film at the time of its release. It had extensive visual effects created by 11 different companies.
X-Men: The Last Stand was released on May 26, 2006, to commercial success. It grossed approximately $459 million worldwide, and became the seventh-highest grossing film of 2006, and the most financially successful of the series. Although commercially successful, the film received mixed reviews, with the acting and the action scenes receiving favorable notice, and criticism directed at the screenplay and style.
Plot
Twenty years ago, Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr meet young Jean Grey at her parents' house to make her aware of her powers. Ten years later, the industrialist father of Warren Worthington III discovers his son is a mutant as the boy tries to cut off his wings.
In the present, Worthington Labs announces it has developed an inoculation to suppress the X-gene that gives mutants their abilities and makes them different from other humans, offering the "cure" to any mutant who wants it. The cure is created from the genome of a young mutant named Jimmy, who lives at the Worthington facility on Alcatraz Island.
Horrified by the announcement of what he considers a way to forcefully use the inoculation to exterminate the mutant race, Lensherr, now known as the X-Men's adversary Magneto, reforms his Brotherhood of Mutants with mutants who oppose the cure. Meanwhile, Cyclops, still emotionally distraught over the loss of girlfriend Jean Grey, drives to her resting location at Alkali Lake. Jean appears to Cyclops but, as the two romantically kiss, Jean starts disintegrating her lover. Psychically sensing trouble, Professor X sends Wolverine and Storm to investigate. When they arrive, the two X-Men encounter telekinetically floating rocks, Cyclops' glasses, and an unconscious Jean. Cyclops himself is nowhere to be found.
When they return to the X-Mansion, Xavier explains to Wolverine that, when Jean sacrificed herself, she unleashed the powerful alternate personality she calls "Phoenix", which Xavier had previously telepathically repressed, fearing the Phoenix's destructive potential. Wolverine is disgusted to learn of this psychic tampering with Jean's mind but, once she awakens, Wolverine realizes she had killed Cyclops and is not the Jean Grey he knew. The Phoenix awakens, knocks out Wolverine, and escapes to her childhood home.
Magneto learns of the resurgence of Jean through his cohort Callisto, and the X-Men arrive at the Grey home at the same time as the Brotherhood. Magneto and Xavier vie for Jean's loyalty until the Phoenix resurfaces. She destroys the house and disintegrates Xavier before leaving with Magneto. The Brotherhood decides to strike Worthington Labs, with Magneto using his powers to dislocate the Golden Gate Bridge and connect Alcatraz to the San Francisco mainland to facilitate the attack. The X-Men regroup and confront the Brotherhood, despite being significantly outnumbered, and arrive just as the military troops, who thus far had been neutralizing the attacking mutants, are being overwhelmed by the Brotherhood.
During the fight, Beast injects Magneto with the cure, nullifying his powers, and Kitty Pryde saves Jimmy from the murderous Juggernaut. Army reinforcements arrive and attack Jean, awakening the Phoenix, who uses her powers to obliterate the troops. As the Phoenix's attacks begin to destroy the facilities and mutants at Alcatraz, Wolverine realizes that, due to his healing factor, he is the only one who can approach the Phoenix. Wolverine approaches her, and Jean momentarily gains control and begs him to kill her. Wolverine stabs Jean, stopping the devastating force, but mourns the death of the woman he loved.
Sometime later, Xavier's school is still operating with Storm as headmistress, and the president of the United States appoints Beast as ambassador to the United Nations. Meanwhile, in a San Francisco park, Magneto sits alone at a chessboard. As he gestures toward a metal chess piece, it wobbles slightly, suggesting that his powers are returning.
In a post-credits scene, Dr. Moira MacTaggert checks on a comatose patient who greets her with Xavier's voice. Startled, she replies, "Charles?"
Cast
The X-Men
The X-Men are a special ops team from The Xavier Institute, charged with protecting both humans and mutants, and trying to prevent a war between the two.
- A gruff, scrappy Canadian mutant born with hyper-acute senses, claws on his hands, and an accelerated healing factor that made possible to implant a coating of the indestructible metal alloy adamantium on his skeleton. Jackman was pleased to see that the script allowed Wolverine to expand his character choices, as instead of questioning whether he would remain a loner or join the X-Men, Logan now is asked if he will play a leadership role in the X-Men.[6]
- One of Xavier's earlier students and the leader of the X-Men in Cyclops' absence, Storm is a woman with the ability to manipulate the weather. Berry had stated during interviews for X2 that she would not return unless the character had a significant presence comparable to the comic book version, leading to a larger role in The Last Stand's script.[7] Berry declared that her ethnicity made the actress identify with the cure plot: "When I was a child, I felt that if only I could change myself, my life would be better. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with what utter nonsense that is."[6] The character was given a more modern haircut, and costume designer Judianna Makovsky opted to give Storm more black clothes, a color she only wore in the leather costume for previous films, to make her "tougher and sexier".[8]
- The founder of the Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants and a mutant with uncharted telepathic powers, Xavier is an authority on genetic mutation and an advocate of peaceful relations between human and mutant kind. Stewart signed to the film without knowing Xavier would die, and not meeting original director Matthew Vaughn - both would meet in Manchester, where Stewart was filming Eleventh Hour, but eventually Brett Ratner called to introduce himself as the new director.[9]
- A young mutant woman from the Deep South whose power causes her to temporarily take on the powers of anyone she touches, leaving her victims (mutant or human) unconscious, Rogue's lack of control over her power causes a great deal of strain on her relationship with Iceman. Paquin declared that while Rogue did not have "a large physical component in this movie", the "adult decisions" the character was forced to do made for more intensity on the emotional side.[10]
- A former student of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Mutants who is now a member of the U.S. Cabinet as the Secretary of Mutant Affairs, Beast is a brilliant scientist and statesman. He is covered in blue fur and has heightened strength and agility, as well as pointed fangs and a lion-like roar. Grammer's make-up took up two hours to apply, painting his face blue before applying prostethics, and a muscle suit covered with a hand·punched fur suit.[11]
- The X-Men's field leader, Cyclops emits powerful energy blasts from his eyes, and must wear specially made glasses to prevent the destruction of anything he looks at. Although he is in a committed relationship with Jean Grey, her Phoenix persona kills him early in the film.
- A young mutant, Iceman can create constructs of ice or blasts of cold. Ashmore's commitments to X-Men made him decline Bryan Singer's invitation to play Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns. The actor was content with his bigger role after Bobby joined the X-Men main team in X2, as during the predecessor's production he wondered "'When do I get to freeze something or get into a fight?'"[12]
- A mutant with the ability to phase through matter and walk through solid objects, her clear affection for Iceman further adds to the tension already present between Iceman and Rogue. Maggie Grace was considered for the role,[13] before Ratner cast Page, who impressed the director with her performance in Hard Candy.[14]
- A mutant with the ability to transform his skin into an organic steel, Colossus' powers grant him superhuman strength and a resistance to physical damage and extreme temperatures. Cudmore wore a foam latex muscle suit covered with a chrome·plated plastic plus a hard plastic head to have the metal skin on the set, with some digital augmentation being used to enhance the facial expressions. A digital double was used only for stunts that could not be achieve practically, such as the Fastball Special where Colossus throws Wolverine.[11]
- The mutant son of an industrialist, who has feathered wings which allow him to fly. He is played as a child by Cayden Boyd. The static wings were models with a 15 feet (4.6 m) wingspan and 5 feet (1.5 m) height glued to Foster's back, replaced with computer-generated ones when movement was required.[11]
The Brotherhood
The Brotherhood is Magneto's personal strike force, whose goal is to ensure mutant supremacy over the human race.
- Leader and founder of the Brotherhood, Magneto is a Holocaust survivor who wages war against humanity in the name of mutant superiority. He has the ability to control and manipulate metal, making him one of the most powerful mutants. Well-known for his homosexuality, McKellen found a parallel of the cure with many prejudices: "It’s abhorrent to me, as it would be if a person said I need curing of my sexuality, or if someone said that black people could take a pill that would ‘cure’ them of being black.”[6]
- A former member of the X-Men, upon being resurrected, Grey gives in to her alternate personality, the Phoenix, an aggressive Class 5 mutant who possesses potentially limitless telepathic and telekinetic powers. Her mutant powers rival those of Professor X. Haley Ramm plays Jean as a child. To mark the change from Jean Grey to Phoenix, her wardrobe focused on red colors, and everyday fabric in contrast to the leather costumes of the X-Men.[8] Digital make-up also made Jean's face darken her skin, show some veins and have her eyes go black.[15]
- Magneto's blue-skinned right-hand woman possesses the ability to shape-shift to mimic anyone's appearance, as well as fight with incredible agility and strength. She jumps in front of cure darts intended for Magneto and, after she loses her mutant abilities as a result, Magneto abandons her. Romijn described this story as "a traumatic experience" for Mystique, given that the previous movies implied that she and Magneto had "a deep-seated bond", and becoming "a frail mortal would be her worst nightmare".[16]
- A former student of Xavier's School for Gifted Mutants with a grudge against his former friend Bobby Drake, Pyro has the ability to manipulate fire, generated through wrist-mounted lighters. Stanford stated that with the Brotherhood, Pyro "is allowed to fully explore his power". The actor was comfortable with returning to the role, only finding strange going from shooting The Hills Have Eyes in the Sahara desert to the cold and rainy X-Men set in Vancouver.[17]
- A criminal recruited by the Brotherhood in a prison truck, Juggernaut is incredibly strong, fast and, once he gains momentum, he is nearly unstoppable. Jones had to go through a four-hour make-up process to portray Juggernaut, which included a muscle suit and a prostethic chin.[18] The costume tried to retain the bullet-shaped helmet of the comics without going excessively over the top.[8]
- A mutant and thief recruited by the Brotherhood in a prison truck, Madrox has the ability to create a very large number of copies of himself.
The Omegas
The Omegas are a group of mutant outcasts existing as part of an underground network that stretches across the nation.
- The leader of The Omegas, Callisto is a mutant with enhanced superhumanly acute senses, who senses mutants and their powers, and possesses superhuman speed. The character combined the powers of the comics' Callisto with another of the Morlocks, Caliban, and was written as someone who could be "beautiful, but with a tough persona".[19] Ramirez had originally auditioned to play the mutant prostitute Stacy X, and impressed Brett Ratner so much the director decided to bring her to play Callisto.[20]
- A mutant with the ability to teleport herself through areas of shadow, instead of the powers of the Psylocke from the comics. The character's trademark psionic dagger was considered for inclusion, but eventually discarded. Melançon decided to audition after the hiring of Brett Ratner, with whom she had worked in Rush Hour 2, and had originally read for the role of Callisto.[21]
- Omahyra Mota as Arclight
- A mutant with the ability to generate shock waves of concussive force. The Dominican model was originally rumored to play Stacy X before being confirmed as Arclight,[22] and even took a break from filming in Vancouver to model for L.A.M.B. in New York.[23]
- A mutant with the ability to eject spikes from his body, most notably his face, Kid Omega resembles the comic books' character Quill; however, the official cast credits read "Kid Omega". Leung, a frequent collaborator of Brett Ratner, asked to be in the film and thus a character was written for him.[19] As the prostethic spines did not provide the same flexibility as digital ones, Leung had digital dots painted on his face to assist the quills' tracking in post-production.[11]
- Phat, a very large man who slims down in order to sit down between two people, is played by two actors, Via Saleaumua ("large mode") and Richard Yee ("small mode"). He was included after editor Mark Helfrich brought Marvel's X-Men Encyclopedia searching for mutants that could make appearances.[19]
- Spike, a mutant who battles Wolverine in the forest by extruding bony spikes from his flesh, was portrayed by Lance Gibson. The character was added at the editors' suggestion, as they felt in the original cut of the scene Logan was portrayed as a cold-blooded killer, which could be changed if another mutant attacked Wolverine before he struck upon the Brotherhood.[24]
- Glob Herman, a mutant with transparent skin, makes a brief appearance played by Clayton Dean Watmough.[11]
Other characters
- Michael Murphy as Warren Worthington II
- The head of Worthington Labs, the corporation developing the "cure", Worthington expects to rid his son of his mutant abilities.
- Shohreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Kavita Rao
- A scientist who works at Worthington Labs on the mutant cure, she is killed by Kid Omega.
- Josef Sommer as the president of the United States
- The president of the United States is tolerant of mutants.
- Bill Duke as Secretary Trask
- The head of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Trask aids the president of the United States during the war against the mutants. The name alludes to Bolivar Trask, head of Trask Industries and creator of the mutant-hunting Sentinels in the comics - a character later played by Peter Dinklage in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
- A mutant with the ability to neutralize the powers of nearby mutants, Leech's DNA is used as the basis for the mutant cure.
- X-Men co-creator Stan Lee and writer Chris Claremont have cameos in the film's opening scene as the neighbors of young Jean Grey.
- The sergeant directing defensive preparations before the Brotherhood assaults Alcatraz Island is played by R. Lee Ermey.
- Various other mutants make cameos at the X-Mansion. Shauna Kain and Kea Wong reprised their cameo roles as Siryn and Jubilee respectively, and three identical girls in the background in one scene are a reference to the Stepford Cuckoos.[19]
Production
Development
Bryan Singer, the director of the first two X-Men films, left the project in July 2004 in favor of developing Superman Returns.[25] Singer stated that he "didn’t fully have X-Men 3 in my mind" in contrast to a fully formed idea for a Superman film and interest in joining that franchise.[26] By the time of his departure, Singer had only produced a partial story treatment with X2 screenwriters Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty, who accompanied him to Superman Returns. The treatment focused on Jean Grey's resurrection,[27] which would also introduce the villainness Emma Frost, a role intended for Sigourney Weaver.[28] Frost was an empath manipulating Jean's emotions in the treatment and, like the finished film, Magneto desires to control her. Overwhelmed by her powers, Jean kills herself, but Jean's spirit survives and becomes a god-like creature, which Dougherty compared to the star child in A Space Odyssey.[29]
New contracts for returning cast members were made, as the actors and actresses had signed for only two films.[30] Hugh Jackman's contract included the approval of director,[31] initially offering the position to Darren Aronofsky, with whom he had just finished filming on The Fountain.[32] Joss Whedon, whose comic book "Gifted" was integrated into the script's plot, turned down the offer because he was working on a Wonder Woman film.[33] Rob Bowman[34] and Alex Proyas[35] were also rumored to be up for consideration, though Proyas personally turned it down, citing feuds with 20th Century Fox president Thomas Rothman while producing I, Robot.[36] Zack Snyder was also approached, but he was already committed to 300.[37] In February 2005, with still no director hired, Fox announced a May 5, 2006, release date, with filming to start in July 2005 in Vancouver.[38] One month later, the studio signed Matthew Vaughn to direct, and pushed the release date three weeks to May 26, Memorial Day weekend.[39] Vaughn cast Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Dania Ramirez as Callisto, and Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut, but family issues led him to withdraw before filming began.[13][40] Vaughn was also cautious of the tight deadlines imposed by Fox, stating that he "didn't have the time to make the movie that I wanted to make".[41]
Brett Ratner, who was previously considered to direct X-Men in 1996, replaced Vaughn during pre-production.[13] Ratner said he was surprised to get an invitation, as he thought he would have no chances on doing a comic book film after the cancelled Superman: Flyby.[42] With a limited knowledge of the X-Men mythos, Ratner trusted his writers on doing something faithful to the comics, having the script drawing all of its scenes from the original Marvel publications.[19]
Writing
Simon Kinberg, who had worked in other two Marvel adaptations for Fox, Fantastic Four and Elektra,[43] was hired as writer for X-Men 3 in August 2004. X2 co-writer Zak Penn was doing his own draft separatedly, and the two joined forces for a combined screenplay in January 2005. Kinberg wanted "The Dark Phoenix Saga" to be the emotional plot of the film, while "Gifted" would serve as the political focus.[44] The duo had seven months to complete The Last Stand's script, and during the first week of work completed the first eighty pages, consisting of the first two-thirds of the plot. This incomplete draft was leaked to Ain't It Cool News, who proceeded to do a negative review.[45][46]
The writers had to fight Fox's executives to retain the Phoenix plot, as the studio only wanted the cure story as it provided a reason for Magneto's conflict with the X-Men. Still the disputes made them not add much for Jean Grey to do in most of the film's second half, as the executives considered the tone of the Phoenix story too dark for a mainstream summer movie, and that its appeal would be limited to hardcore fans rather than a general audience.[45] Penn defended the divergences from the original Dark Phoenix stories, stating that the Phoenix was not a firebird-shaped cosmic force "because it doesn’t fit into the world," and that Cyclops did not have as much screentime as Wolverine because the latter was more popular and "with Cyclops, you can’t see his eyes. It’s a harder character to relate to for the audience."[47] Killing Cyclops was Fox's decision, based on the availability of actor James Marsden, who was cast in Singer's Superman Returns. The studio considered killing him off-screen with a dialogue reference, but Kinberg and Penn insisted that Jean kill him, emphasizing their relationship. Xavier's death was intended to match the impact of Spock's demise in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, as Fox felt the script called for a dramatic turning point. Kinberg and Penn were originally cautious, but grew to like the idea of killing off Xavier. They decided to write a post-credits scene suggesting the character's return for a sequel.[45]
As the studio was simultaneously developing X-Men Origins: Wolverine, limitations were set on which mutants could be used for cameo appearances in X-Men 3 in an attempt to avoid risking character development for Wolverine.[48] Gambit was considered for both the convoy scene being freed by Magneto and the Battle of Alcatraz along with the X-Men, but the writers did not want to introduce a fan favorite character and "not be able to do him justice." Kinberg reasoned, "there just wasn't enough space", and considered Gambit would only work with as much screentime as Beast.[19][44] Alan Cumming had been uncomfortable with the long hours he had to take with the prosthetic makeup as Nightcrawler in X2, but still planned to return for the sequel. The part of Nightcrawler was so minimal, however, that the studio felt it was not worthwhile to go through the long and costly makeup process, and the character was cut.[49] Kinberg felt that "there wasn't much left to do with the character. It also felt like he might tread a little bit on the terrain of Beast, in terms of similarities in the characters and their political standpoints in terms of dealing with their mutancy." Nightcrawler's absence was later explained in the tie-in video game.[44] The introdutory scenes tried to emulate the Auschwitz opener for the first film, going with different scenes that resonated later in the plot instead of an action scene like in most blockbusters. Afterwards came a scene in the Danger Room, which was considered for the previous X-Men films but never included for budget and writing concerns. The writers tried to make the simulation not feel extraneous by showcasing some of the character conflicts and abilities in a "Days of Future Past"-inspired battle with a Sentinel. Another repurposed scene was Magneto attacking the convoy to free Mystique, Madrox and Juggernaut, which Penn had previously envisioned for X2.[19]
Ratner collaborated with Penn and Kinberg in rearranging the plot structure of the film.[42] Originally, the Golden Gate Bridge sequence was in the middle of the film, where the moved bridge was used by Magneto to free mutants being held prisoners on Alcatraz, and the climax was set in Washington, D.C..[50] Ratner felt too many recent action films, such as Planet of the Apes and X2 itself, had their ending in Washington, and the Golden Gate sequence "would be the biggest sequence in my entire career", and suggested to instead put the Worthington laboratory in Alcatraz, along with "creating a face for the cure", which became the character of Jimmy/Leech. Kinberg agreed, as he previously argued with Penn about "blowing so many things early in the movie".[19][51][52]
Filming
X-Men: The Last Stand began shooting in August 2005 and wrapped in January 2006. Much of the film was shot at Vancouver Film Studios, the same location of X2.[38][49] Locations included the Hatley Park National Historic Site and Royal Roads University, which doubled for the X-Mansion.[53] According to associate producer Dave Gordon, "This is the biggest production ever filmed in Canada. It used to be X2, now it's X3."[49] The $210 million budget also made The Last Stand the most expensive film to be made at the time.[3][31][54] The film's record would be first broken by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest’s $225 million budget.[55] The original cinematographer was Philippe Rousselot, who eventually opted to depart production. Dante Spinotti, a frequent collaborator of Ratner, replaced him, with assistance of J. Michael Muro.[6][56] Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairmen Thomas Rothman and Jim Gianopulos debated whether Rogue should give Iceman a passionate kiss at the film's end or simply hold his hand. The two executives screened The Last Stand for their daughters, as well as the studio's female marketing executives, and the hand holding prevailed. Gianopulos stated that the kissing "was all about sex, and we didn't want that."[57] A strong campaign of secrecy about the script was enforced by Ratner and the writers. Even the actors had problems with getting full screenplays, and many scenes were shot in varied ways.[58] Both of the ending scenes were not included on the shooting script, with Ratner taking a small crew during one day's lunch time to film the post-credits scene with Xavier, and later going to London to film Magneto in the park.[59]
Visual effects
To make sure the visual effects were made in just one year and without exceeding the budget, special effects supervisor John Bruno shipped the 900 effects shots to eleven companies in four countries - United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada - and did extensive previsualization.[15][52] Their work begun in April 2005, before the director Brett Ratner had even been announced,[3] and Bruno made sure to emphasize practical effects, "shoot as many practical elements as possible, and only use CG when we had to." For instance, complex wirework rigs were employed which enabled the actors to do some stunts without resorting to digital doubles,[11] including a computer controlled flying rig from Cirque Du Soleil for Angel's flight,[52] and one for Halle Berry's flying spins that caused the actress to become sick and vomit.[60] Bruno estimates one-sixth of the effects budget was spent on the Golden Gate Bridge scene, which employed both a miniature of the bridge and computer graphics.[3] Another miniature was for the Grey home, which had a destructable equivalent matched the Canadian location and also had a digital equivalent.[11] A notable effect was the "digital skin-grafting", which rejuvenated the faces of senior actors Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, made by the Brothers Strause's Lola Visual Effects.[61] Bruno made sure to ask the atomization made by Phoenix was not too vivid and gruesome, instead resembling oatmeal.[52]
Music
Ratner, a fan of John Powell's work in The Bourne Identity, invited Powell to write the music for X3. Powell included references to the score from the previous two films. "It all had to be in the same family, and the same language," he said. He used lyrics from Benjamin Britten's Requiem Mass for the choir parts.[62] A soundtrack album was released on May 23, 2006.[63]
Marketing
The marketing for The Last Stand was darker and more ambiguous compared to the two predecessors. Fox president Tom Rothman declared that the decision were made so the film would "be different from all of the other movies in the summer,” with a campaign that "wanted people to stop and not have it be so immediately apparent that we’re selling a movie. We’re interested in selling an emotion and an idea.”[64] The film's official website was launched in October 2005.[65] The teaser trailer release with King Kong the following December[66] was done in conjunction with the studio releasing the film's first official screen shots of the film to USA Today.[67] Diamond Select Toys created a toy line, scanning the actors from the film with likenesses for the first time in the trilogy.[68] Additional product tie-ins came with Harley-Davidson[69] and 7-Eleven.[70] A seven-minute sneak peek aired on Fox Broadcasting two weeks before the film's theatrical release.[71] Del Rey Books published a novelization of the film, written by comic book writer Chris Claremont,[72] while Newmarket Press published The Art of X-Men: The Last Stand: From Concept to Feature Film.[73]
Video game
Activision released a tie-in video game, X-Men: The Official Game, co-written by screenwriter Zak Penn and Claremont, bridging the events between X2 and The Last Stand.[74][75] Actor Hugh Jackman showed clips at the ShoWest tradeshow exhibition in March 2006, after accepting the Award for Male Star of the Year.[76]
Release and reception
X-Men: The Last Stand premiered at an out-of-competition event of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2006.[77] Two days later, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Kelsey Grammer attended an advance screening at USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), as the ship was en route to New York City for Fleet Week.[78] X-Men: The Last Stand was released in the United States on May 26, 2006, in 3,690 theaters,[79] while also opening in 95 international markets that same weekend.[80]
Critical response
X-Men: The Last Stand received a mixed reception. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 57% based on reviews from 228 critics, with an average score of 5.9/10.[81] Metacritic calculated an average score of 58/100, based on 38 reviews.[82]
Ebert and Roeper gave the film a "two thumbs up" rating, with Roger Ebert saying, "I liked the action, I liked the absurdity, I liked the incongruous use and misuse of mutant powers, and I especially liked the way it introduces all of those political issues and lets them fight it out with the special effects."[83] Salon.com gave it a mixed review, noting that it was "only half a mess", and that Ratner "could have stuck a bit more closely to the 'Dark Phoenix' narrative than he did." However, Salon did note that that third act captured some of the original story's "majesty".[84] Famke Janssen's performance was praised by critics and audiences. Also impressed with Janssen's performance was Total Film, who said, "Playing the super-freaky mind-control goddess like GoldenEye’s Xenia Onatopp’s all-powerful psycho sister, her scenes – particularly that one with the house – crackle with energy and tragedy. If only the rest of X3 had followed suit."[85]
Justin Chang of Variety said the film was "a wham-bam sequel noticeably lacking in the pop gravitas, moody atmospherics, and emotional weight that made the first two Marvel comicbook adaptations so rousingly successful."[86] Frank Lovece of Film Journal International said, "A risk-taking script with genuine consequences elevates this ... above the lackluster direction of Brett Ratner, whose competent mechanics move the story efficiently but with very little soul."[87] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly called it a ""diminished sequel, a brute-force enterprise" and said it was an example of "what happens when movies are confused with sandwich shops as franchise opportunities".[88] The Minneapolis Star Tribune characterized Ratner's approach as "Forget subtlety! Let's blow things up!"[89] David Edelstein of New York magazine called it "just another big-budget B-movie. It’s a fast and enjoyable B-movie, though."[90] Foreshadowing X-Men: First Class, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "Last stand? My ass. Billed as the climax of a trilogy, the third and weakest chapter in the X-Men series is a blatant attempt to prove there is still life in the franchise. And there is: just enough to pull a Star Trek and spawn a Next Generation saga."[91]
Writer Simon Kinberg would later state that "there are a lot of things about ‘X3′ that I love and there are a lot of things that I regret", detailing that he would have preferred the Dark Phoenix as the main plotline and "I would have fought harder" for that, considering that at the period "the darkness of her story was a little bit daunting on a huge $200 million studio movie" leading Fox to ask for rewrites.[92] Previous X-Men director Bryan Singer declared that The Last Stand "isn’t what I would have done" and he was dissatisfied with the busy plot and excessive character deaths, but Singer still liked some parts of the movie, such as Ellen Page's casting - leading Singer to bring her back as Kitty Pride in X-Men: Days of Future Past - and the scenes with Leech, which he described as "really sweet moments".[93] Matthew Vaughn, who was attached as director before dropping out, criticized Ratner's direction: "I could have done something with far more emotion and heart. I'm probably going to be told off for saying that, but I genuinely believe it."[41] While promoting his own installment of the franchise, 2011's X-Men: First Class, Vaughn would say regarding The Last Stand that “I storyboarded the whole bloody film, did the script. My X3 would have been 40 minutes longer. They didn't let the emotions and the drama play in that film. It became wall-to-wall noise and drama. I would have let it breathe and given far more dramatic elements to it."[94]
Box office
X-Men: The Last Stand broke the Memorial Day weekend record with $102,750,665 in its four-day opening weekend.[95] The film's release was also a new single-day record for Friday openings.[96] The opening weekend gross was surpassed six weeks later by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, making The Last Stand's opening the second-highest of 2006.[97] Internationally, The Last Stand topped the box office in 26 countries with a total gross of $76.1 million overall, but suffered competition from The Da Vinci Code, which retained the top spot in most markets, and beat The Last Stand in international gross that weekend with $91 million.[80][98] The film's second weekend dropped 67 percent to $34 million, which was the steepest post-Memorial Day opening drop on record.[99] X-Men: The Last Stand eventually grossed $234,362,462 in the domestic box office and $224,997,093 internationally, for a worldwide total of $459,359,555,[79] the fourth-highest in domestic grosses[97] and seventh-highest worldwide for 2006.[100] X-Men: The Last Stand was also the highest-grossing film in the franchise.[101]
Accolades
Award | Category | Subject | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Empire Awards[102][103] | Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy | Nominated | |
Scene Of The Year | The Phoenix and Professor X showdown | Nominated | |
Costume Designers Guild Awards[104] | Excellence in Costume Design for Film – Fantasy | Judianna Makovsky | Nominated |
Irish Film & Television Award[105] | Best International Actor | Ian McKellen | Nominated |
People's Choice Award[106] | Favorite Movie Drama | Nominated | |
Favorite Movie | Nominated | ||
Favorite Female Action Star | Halle Berry | Won | |
Satellite Award[107] | Best Editing | Mark Helfrich, Mark Goldblatt, Julia Wong | Won |
Saturn Award[108] | Best Supporting Actress | Famke Janssen | Won |
Best Science Fiction Film | Nominated | ||
Best Supporting Actor | Kelsey Grammer | Nominated | |
Best Music | John Powell | Nominated | |
Best Costume | Judianna Makovsky | Nominated | |
Best Special Effects | John Bruno, Eric Saindon, Craig Lyn | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Award[109] | Best Choice Sleazebag | Ian McKellen | Nominated |
Best Choice Liplock | Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen | Nominated | |
Young Artist Awarda[110] | Best Supporting Young Actor in a Feature Film | Cameron Bright | Nominated |
Home media
X-Men: The Last Stand was released on October 3, 2006, on DVD. It was available in three editions: single-disc, two-disc, and a trilogy box set with the previous two films. Extras included three alternative endings, each with optional commentary by director Brett Ratner; 10 deleted scenes; audio commentaries from Ratner, the writers and the producers; and two hidden Easter eggs. The two-disc edition came with a 100-page commemorative comic book with a new story written by X-Men co-creator Stan Lee, his first original Marvel comic book in five years.[111] The DVD sold 2.6 million units in its first day, exceeding Fox's expectations,[112] and sold a total 5 million in its first week.[113] A Blu-ray edition of the film was issued in November 2006.[114]
Sequels
The next two X-Men films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and X-Men: First Class (2011) were instead prequels that took place before the first X-Men. The first installment with a story set after The Last Stand was The Wolverine, released on July 26, 2013. A stand-alone sequel,[115] The Wolverine shows Logan heading for Japan to escape the memories of what occurred during X-Men: The Last Stand. Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen reprised their roles, while Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart appear in a mid-credits scene.[116]
A direct sequel to the film, X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is also a direct sequel to First Class, was released on May 23, 2014, with Jackman, Halle Berry, Stewart, McKellen, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, Kelsey Grammer, Famke Janssen and James Marsden returning in their respective roles.[117] The plot, inspired by the arc "Days of Future Past", begins in a dystopian future years after The Last Stand, and Wolverine's conscious is sent back into his 1973 self so he could guide the past Xavier and Magneto into preventing the catastrophe. The events of the movie end up applying retroactive continuity to The Last Stand, with the ending set in a newer timeline where Jean and Cyclops are still alive.[92][26]
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