In his latest column for MSN, Greg Ellwood wrote that, according to his sources, 20th Century Fox nixed the idea of up-and-coming actor Shawn Ashmore starring in Warner Bros’ new Superman feature. Fox is telling actors who have options for the third, untitled X-Men film that it will begin shooting June 20th. That conflicts with the Superman spring shooting schedule, which is anticipated to go through July 30.
Ashmore is one of the few actors in the X-Men franchise that is contractually obligated to two sequels. The other actors locked in include Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Aaron Stanford (Pyro), Anna Paquin (Rogue) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique). Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) has agreed to a new contract for the movie and has approval on the new director for the series. James Marsden has already been removed from consideration as Cyclops after he took a smaller part as Perry White’s son in Superman.
Ian McKellen (Magneto), Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Famke Janssen (Jean Grey) are all expected to return for the right price. A director and final writer has yet to be locked in.
Credit: Darkhorizons.com
