Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Coming Attraction X-MEN scoop!

Hmmm... by BadAshe	Dec 17th, 1999 04:26:38 PM

Hmmm...(Again) by BadAshe	Dec 17th, 1999 04:30:11 PM
Sorry about that, but I just couldn't wait to drop my two cents in. Cyclops costume = moderatley cool and Magneto costume = Huh? I like the body suit, pants, cape, but that helmet is a bit much. McKellen has such great facial expression, it would be better to see him out of the helmet. That's about two cents worth. Out
"Titanic" was nothing! by I Love Fox!	Dec 17th, 1999 04:31:49 PM
I hereby declare that "X-Men" will surpass "Titanic" as the highest grossing film of all time.
Cool new designs for old X favorites. by Xero	Dec 17th, 1999 04:34:49 PM
Finally some "NEW" X-men costume designs, cool. I like the change and can't wait for the teaser trailer. The only thing I didn't like was that Magneto's design was a little plain looking But i'm sure he'll look cool using his powers in the movie.
I Dunno about these. by Horus	Dec 17th, 1999 04:42:29 PM
Cyclops looks ok.but whats happened to magneto?!!!!!!Theyve toned the body suit right down..but kept the helm , roughly as it looks in the comic. Sir Ians going to look a real prick in that helmet!!They shouldn't have changed the colour.Imagine him like that, but in purples , pinks and lavenders..awesome!The sleeker suit means he'd be free and unhindered, to camp it up big time.{Im joking by the way}
I think we can live with this..... by oneragga	Dec 17th, 1999 04:50:05 PM
...also judging by Harry's info, all the X-men's uniforms will be some variation off of Cyclop's....which would make sense, for individuals forming a team for the first time. In (very)subtle ways, the uniforms have elements of X-men costumes past & present, yet with a very cotemporary edge. Now, if the performances are right, this show should kick all kindsa ass.....Question, y'all...should Spider-Man rock the traditional Blue 'n' Red....or the funky Black dubs for his film debut. Think about it....cinematically speaking, it might not be a bad idea....
Magneto in pink, your joking right Horus?! by Xero	Dec 17th, 1999 04:50:07 PM

Pink Magneto? by BadAshe	Dec 17th, 1999 04:56:44 PM
That would be... interesting to see. Big Gay Magneto! He's a mutant, thanks for asking!
Costumes by Zelig	Dec 17th, 1999 05:10:46 PM
Cyclops...eeh. It's pretty cool. I happen to really like Magneto's outfit.
kkrankk says:They're barely costumes by kkrankk	Dec 17th, 1999 05:44:57 PM
They're lame and so is Corona's one long page format. Posers who dig this look wouldn't know John Byrne from John Browne.
Ehhhhhhhh.....Different is all I have to say by Niiiice	Dec 17th, 1999 05:56:31 PM
From those pictures, I think they look very retro, very sixties-ish, like the kind of costumes they would have been given during the time when the X-Men were first conceived. Magneto looks like Dracula...Since when does a black suit and a cape constitute a "costume"? I read some post that said costume designers were out to make their own vision to get attention in this business, I don't think they're going to be drawing in the big jobs with these. I'm not saying they're bad, I'm just saying that they look very uninspired. Practically no features on Magneto's costume, his helmet looks very out of place when compared with the rest of his uniform, in my opinion. That being said, he does look menacing and intimdating, in a very retro, sixties kind of way. Anyway, its interesting to see what they did without going with the latex body armor kind of costumes of the Batman movies. Cyclops, I have to admit looks pretty damned cool, once again a costume that fits this whole retro theme, a feel and look that I'm unsure of how will play into the rest of the film. I don't think it looks too techno, although it may be a little flashy and possibly in some minds "lame". All in all, don't think they did too hell of a bad job, my biggest gripe is that Magneto doesn't seem to have a costume at all, its like he just plonks on that helmet whenever he wants to become a super villain. Since a helmet is a piece of armor, it would make sense to have the rest of his costume resemble some sort of body armor too, instead of that Imperial Army officer uniform gig...Ah well. One thing to keep in mind is that these are only illustrations, and possibly one of many possibilities, so we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out...
Oh boy, where to start? by sprocket-bot	Dec 17th, 1999 07:22:23 PM
Ok, first off, I kinda like Magneto's outfit, sure it's a little plain, but ANYTHING beat's that shitty costume he wears in the comics! Now, Cyclops outfit is half decent, but I hate the arm pads, and the cheesy looking chest-plate...who the hell designed this stuff anyways?!?! It looks like a left-over costume from an episode of Star Trek! I would much rather see what Bob Ringwood could come up with, I think they just about perfected the Batsuit in the last film, ahem! as far as the fit, manuverability, shape, texture and so on. I really wish they would have pursued that technique, one could only imagine the coolness...maybe a dark navy blue costume with an X in a dark yellow, or even a slightly lighter blue (tone-on-tone) across the left chest, part of the X extending across the torso, slightly raised to produce a shadow in the right light...shit, I'm killin' myself dreaming now! I loved the new visor I saw though, great variation on the original! I don't know, hopefully the story and characters will knock us out, can't wait to see the other costumes.
Eh... they should at least look somewhat like the comics... by Graze Zero	Dec 17th, 1999 07:38:19 PM
i don't think the people making the movie understand something that's really important about this movie... it's based on a comic book. Thus said, it's understandable for a bunch of guys with superpowers to be parading about in colorful outfits. Magneto looks bad. i'll accept that he looks different, and will have at least some of his trademark colors in there... but really, the helmet is just too damn plain. The helmet in the comics looks majestic, it has flair, the design just looks cool. There's a sense of power in it. This? It's uninspired and retro. Dammit, if you're going to be retro, just use the original damn design! As for Cyclops, i don't know... all he needed was dark blue tights with lots of belts and pockets and stuff over it, they didn't have to be yellow, they could've been black. That would've looked closer to the comic at least. But this thing, this looks nothing like the comic, the only way you know it's Cyclops is by seeing the visors. And if they follow this same design with the rest of the characters... ESPECIALLY with Wolverine... disaster. For X-men fans, most people's favorite character is Wolverine. So he damn well better be recognizable! Already, they've changed his character a lot... anybody remember that he's supposed to be really short? Nah, that's what i thought... but they couldn't have gone with an unknown, could they? No... nobody would watch an X-men movie without known actors... i'm not saying Hugh is a big name actor, but geez, looking at him, you don't think "wolverine", now do you? The costumes should look like they do in the comics, change them a little, but as long as they're recognizable, fine. These... aren't.
Matrix Ripoff. THESE DESIGNS SUCK!!!!!! by Darth Siskel	Dec 17th, 1999 08:12:57 PM
These designs fucking suck. Especially Cyclops. Typical 90's Marvel design. Fuck you very much.
Original 60's Marvel costume colors. by Darth Siskel	Dec 17th, 1999 08:23:48 PM
The original Spider-Man suit was drawn as Red & Black, not red & blue. Blue was used as a highlight color, just like in Superman's hair. At some point early on they made Spidey's costume blue & red, I have to pull out the old issues to see when. Maybe when Ditko left. Also, the original X-Men's costumes were Yellow & Black. Yellow & black costumes would've worked great on film. And their original costume design was killer. Instead we get Matrix-lite. FUCK!
four cents worth by Qatseri	Dec 17th, 1999 08:50:41 PM
Actually, I pretty much have to agree with Niiice here. The cyclops costume looks pretty good to me, with arm and chest patches at least derivative of most of the current crop of costumes. I don't see why they couldn't have added a bit more color to this particular design, but maybe they did, who knows. Mags looks a bit lame. I don't like the looks of the helmet aesthetically, looks too much like one of those Marvel undersea helmets without the faceplate. The colors are bland and not intimidating. The suit concept itself is alright, not that far off from conceptually from what he wore as the X-Men leader, but they just don't go with the helmet. (Although, to be fair, I'm not sure the comic outfit goes with the helmet but somewhow, on the four color page, anything looks good). Graze, I'd love to respond to some of your comments, but I've made too many previous posts concerning this issue to do so without being both boring AND redundant (instead of just boring). However, I think the short answer to why they didn't go with the comic costumes is that unlike Superman and Batman, who are known World-wide by everyone, whether they are comic fans or not, The X-Men are really known only to us readers. Thus, they felt freer to make easier, more "realistic" costumes knowing they risked alienating only the hardcore comic fans but possibly attracting more non-fans in the trailer. I don't know this for a fact, just a guess. Sorry if this rambled more than usual, I'm a bit ill currently. Peace through random violence. Oh, and Tylenol... don't forget the tylenol.
X-Costumes by Acid_Rain327	Dec 17th, 1999 09:04:22 PM
Well...they aren't what I expected. I've heard so many times that the costumes would all be Matrix-esque, but these are nothing like anything in that film...I pictured Cyke wearing a costume similar to that which Neo wore towards the end of the Matrix(black leather suit, full length black trench coat etc) and the suit he is know for wearing in the more recent comics, and a small, red, square-framed "X" on the side of his chest. This suit, however, looks like something from a futuristic sci-fi film...and it looks really awkward in a fight scene, one of the aspects that will make or break this film in the eyes of a lot of people... As for Magneto's costume, this is nothing like what I pictured him wearing...maybe its just this sketch, but this suit looks (im afraid to say this...) really campy...he looks like an old man wearing over-alls and a goofy helmet...Magneto's suit was difinitive of him - powerful, elegant, almost majestic, and this...just isn't cutting it for me now...I hope there is a suit in this film which really works the way Magneto's is supposed to...ah well...I'm still gonna be first in line for this flick =]
"He who controls the spice...." by A.T.R.	Dec 17th, 1999 09:18:51 PM
Well I watched Dune yesterday and saw the pics today, now like Darth Siskel said, the original X-Men costumes were black n yellow...and apparently that's at least one of the costumes Cyclops is gonna be wearing on the film...now..why couldn't they have at least designed a cool looking black costume??...the desert suits from Dune are far better!!you can see there was thinking behind it, of course those suits had a functionality within the story, but as far as design goes, I would have expected something close to that for Cyclops suit......Cyclops costume looks like a biker suit to me, I don't know...it kinda looks like not much design effort was put on it...maybe with the excuse it has to look "real world"...same with Magneto..I don't see the X-Men....but the last word goes out to the actors and their performances.......in the end "they" are the X-Men.
But do chicks dig the X-car? by chant	Dec 17th, 1999 09:27:29 PM
Hey Harry, dunno if I've seen the same suits that you have but the Mags threads I saw look like that...but then again, Sir Ian's in a few different suits during the course of the film. I've been told the next image I'm to expect is of a certain Canadian member of the X-team, but his description should be hitting the site sometime tomorrow. Oh, and "kkrankk", your entited to your opinion about the costumes, but y'know, some people do prefer reading the scoops in their chronological order...of course, this does require some patience (and reading skills)...
Flip-Flopping by CountZero	Dec 17th, 1999 09:33:15 PM
I find it funny that a week after Sir Ian McKellen writes his little piece explaining exactly why a movie version of the X-Men won't look exactly like the comic book, and everyone posts talkbacks patting him on the back for being so wise and putting it all into perspective, everyone gets one glimpse of the costumes and immediately goes back to bitching and moaning about how they look nothing like the comic. Ultimately, whatever the costumes look like is irrelevant; it's whether the film is any good or not, which NONE of us will know until it's out. Even if they made exact-to-the-finest-detail outfits, if the movie is weak all that costuming is pointless. And for those of you who think that as "fans" you have a right to expect a literal adaptation of the comic: Come off it. Don't forget that there are only a hundred thousand or so of us comics fans, and while it is true that without the fans there wouldn't be an X-Men property to exploit, I'd wager that the producers of the film are aiming to hit a much broader audience than that. The average movie goer (from whom much of a film's revenue is generated) simply won't give two shits about whether they've gotten Wolverine's hair right.
Change is good, okay? by Master Blaster	Dec 17th, 1999 10:01:55 PM
Well well, looks like there's a ton o' mixed feelings around here on the look of these new xtumes but believe me folks this movie is gonna rock. Trust in the master.
Cool beans! by Superman#1	Dec 17th, 1999 10:43:57 PM
I have to say that the costumes look neat. Remember they wear more than 1 outfit and I'm sure it'll look different onscreen than sketches people. I do expect big time changes, and I don't mind that because the X-Men have been revamped plenty of times before. In fact they're doing it again, so I guess this is another revamp. Trust me, Wolverine's costume you will probably not recognize most likely so just keep that in mind. On December 29th Cinescape magazine is releasing more pictures so look for that.
I'll say this... by GODOBLITERATER	Dec 17th, 1999 11:37:29 PM
Here's hopin'.
by Revelare	Dec 17th, 1999 11:44:34 PM
I'm ok with the costume designs for one reason: I'm not looking for a film adaption of a comic book. I'm looking for a film version of a comic concept. Peole are still looking at this as an adaption of a comic book when it's not. It's a version of a comic concept. Another reason why I'm ok with these designs is because they may not be the final versions. Every site that has posted these pictures has noted that the characters will don several different outfits, and these may be one of many. (for each character) Only thing about them I dislike is the arm pads on Cyclops' arms (it could do without those and still look cool) and Magneto's cape. (that costume just doesn't look right with a cape.)
Sorry if I double post...... by The Kid	Dec 17th, 1999 11:48:06 PM
I SAW THE CINESCAPE SHOT THE MORNING THEY POSTED IT, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND IT SINCE. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE?
Add color ;lose the vest ;AND PUT AN X ON IT... by Skelington	Dec 18th, 1999 12:43:27 AM
Why are they afraid of adding color to the costumes? They don't have to use over-the-top comic book colors, but some color might help.I mean they are supposed to be heros even if they are going to be feared be humans. I don't want to see a bunch of drab looking superheroes running around on the screen. Instead of black throw a deep blue on cyclops the costume. Give them personality. And what in the hell is wrong with throwing an X on the costume.....an emblem on the chest,across the chest, on a glove....i mean they are the X-men. The black worked in the matrix for neo and trinity, there costumes went with the bleakness that was the time that they were living in. tHE X-MEN should not be morose heros. They are struggling to bring understanding between humans and mutants. It is my opinion that they wouldnt be dressed like dark brooding mutants. And as far as the costumes being compared to the matrix I think that is something that someone said and the masses swallowed and spew at the drop of the hat. I see more marvel than matrix on those costumes. And i think Magnetos costume looks great. So does cyclops except lose the vest looking thing.
The Kid by sprocket-bot	Dec 18th, 1999 12:46:59 AM
Nope, youre not the only one...they seem to have pulled it off the site late that afternoon. I e-mailed them as to what happened and have recieved no response. My guess is they posted it without permission and were asked to take it down...who the hell knows though!
SSZero......and a little bit for Qatseri as well by Niiiice	Dec 18th, 1999 01:16:24 AM
The best scenario would be to have both their world and the real world in one, just one underlying the other, the mutant world one that no normal humans ever quite reach. In the first Batman movie, I think they did a good job of intertwining Batman's crimefighting heroic world with that of the real world. This later failed, especially in Batman and Robin, where the whole thing looks like a comic book world (i.e., the 200-story bronze statues that pop up for no reason in the landscape or the neon colored walls and gang bikers). A little problem arises in trying to make the comic book characters conform to the real world: they were never meant to be realistic. SSZero: I agree with the thing about mutants wanting to fit in, but during those "normal" times in daily life Cyclops has a ruby set of shades, he wears the visor to do battle. I don't think they'd be concerned with fitting in while they're in battle, but they should be uniformed. Its that whole separating the normal part of their lives with the "superhero" part of their lives. I don't think it makes sense to try to make one conform to the other. Right on about Magneto. Qatseri, nice post, I'd like you to know that I've completely mastered the being redundant part of talkback, I am currently mastering the boring part as well. A speedy recovery to you, but don't overdose on the Tylenol, remember everything in moderation (this goes for world-conquering violence as well).
Alex Ross's painted book "MARVELS" by Darth Siskel	Dec 18th, 1999 02:40:45 AM
Really, studios should look at the painted book MARVELS book to see how cool the superhero costumes can look in live-action. The original 60's costumes were paited in it, & they looked cool as hell. Alot cooler than these weak designs.
Darth Siskel by Niiiice	Dec 18th, 1999 02:52:01 AM
Agreed. If anyone has any qualms about the costumes not being realistic, Marvels has go to be some of the most realistic and true to life painting I've seen of comic book superheros. There's also a good story about mutant-related repression and things like that, which they also could have benefitted from.
Did anyone else think this? by Isidore	Dec 18th, 1999 03:27:09 AM
When I saw the costume for Magneto It made me think of Grand Moff Tarkin from Star Wars. Am I the only one? It looks like what Sir Ian was saying, that Magneto's powers are propping up a less than superior body in this adaptation. But, it still looks as thought they can't decide where they want to be. Will Magneto be a totally frail man who uses his magnetic powers and not his body in battle? Or will he just kick ass? The cape and Helmet fit the latter much better while the rest of the costume is like the former. Oh well! The movie wil still be only a moderate success finantially and for the fans.
they suck, end of story by ARage	Dec 18th, 1999 03:54:02 AM
i used to collect comics & even though i don't anymore i still keep in touch with it. singer has effectively screwed up the xmen costumes if he's going to use anything remotely close to the pics that were posted. cyclops looks like an idiot, and you want to cry when you realize the hand that magneto has been dealt. you shudder when you think of what's going to be done to wolverine. jackman's real hair will be the only thing used. what a sorry site this is going to be.
They will do by marzblackmann	Dec 18th, 1999 08:41:10 AM
I saw the costumes and personally I think that they shall serve their purpose.Yeah, Cyclops suit does have that Matrix feel to it,but I think that's cool. Magnetos'...weellll...It's alright,but mayber it will look better on the big screen...If not, maybe Sir Ian's acting will make us ignore it!
It seems the talkback is becoming more productive by Sword Man	Dec 18th, 1999 12:54:15 PM
i remember not to long ago everyone who wrote in had something negative to say about Singer and his production, but now everyone is on his dick. I said it before and i'll say it again leave the man alone to do his work and you will be pleasantly surprised. I like the costumes and understand that instead of doing the comic world, Singer is bringing the X-men into our world. Both costumes look great and the helmet and cape do make sense. The helmet is probly his crown to show his dominance over us humans. When will you people grow up and understand that the comic world is shit, you have no realism whatsoever and that is why we beg for adaptions on the big screen. Singer keep on truckin', I'm still in you corner!
Hmm... by Acid_Rain327	Dec 18th, 1999 01:21:04 PM
I've looked at the costumes over and over again...and I have to say, they do grow on you. After analyzing them, you get to liking them! When I posted above, I had just looked at them for a minute or two, so they probably aren't what anyone expects, but they aren't bad, by any means, just get used to them. Who knows, maybe in the final battle scene, we'll see costumes that look absolutely perfect, and these were just to whet our palettes. Anyway, just take the time to look them over, and consider what they're trying to do, and I think you'll like them just as much as I do now. Later
looks vs. acting by bubba00	Dec 18th, 1999 02:01:01 PM
After seeing both the pics, something interesting comes up. Being the X-Men, what would we prefer? Really cool looking characters, not necessarily identical to the comic book vision but just as cool, or sterling actors that looks, well, for lack of a better word, a tad silly? Don't get me wrong...I can't wait to see it, but after seeing McKellen in his magneto outfit, it makes me wonder. While he might(hopefully will) pull off a stunning magneto, he might look pretty silly at the same time. So what would we prefer? It might just be all the hype talking, but I was a little let down by these pics. McKellen, as he stated all too truly, does not look like the magneto we all know. So this may be an enormous test for all of us, cos as much as we might want them to look stunning, it might just be impossible to get quality acting and great looks(in terms of this film) onto the same screen.
Dude above me is right... by Superman#1	Dec 18th, 1999 06:05:12 PM
I mean would you want a car with a nice body, but no damn engine, or a car with a not so good looking body but runs beautifully... And no trick answers like switching one thing for another. I mean really lets see some good acting. The movie could look fantastic with everything they way fans want it, but the acting could suck. I want to see some good acting, and everyone could complain about what the costumes look like or the casting but no matter how much you do that it wouldn't change one thing. The best thing you could do is hope the acting will be good, which seems like it will. The X-Men have always had costume revamps, big deal so this time they're doing it in the movies. It'll be fine once you see it onscreen.
Cinematography by BIG JIM SLADE	Dec 18th, 1999 10:46:44 PM
The one thing you have to remember is that they will not look like this. The real characters will be moving, and not posing like this. Also, thanks to lighting and cinematography, these costumes have a damn good chance of looking mighty fine. Just picture a close up of Ian in that helmet. You just see the sides and brim of the helmet, with his beady eyes, and some electric volts running through his skin to look like magnetism. Call me an optimist, but I think this could look very cool. I advise we all wait for the first trailer before bashing or adoring this too much. As for the person up top somewhere who said, "Since when is a black suit and cape considered a costume." Well, who the hell do you know that wears a cape, knee-high boots with metal bolts around them, jet black Dr. Evil-esque suit, and a helmit. How is this not a costume, man? Oh well, time for another Christmas party...yey.
Pics of Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) by goatb0y	Dec 19th, 1999 01:21:43 AM
Here's a photo gallery of Hugh Jackman. He may be a good actor in his own right, but he just doesn't have the physical attributes of Wolverine. He's 6'3" for cryin' out loud! http://homestead.dejanews.com/ hughjackman/album.html
Hmmm. Not too shabby. by Sith Lord Jesus	Dec 19th, 1999 02:37:46 AM
I would have preferred the blue and yellow costumes with lots of belts and pockets on them from about the late '80's/early '90's (correct me if this is the wrong time frame; I haven't read X-Men in awhile). That said, these designs look fine to me. A tad retro, yes, maybe a little Matrixish (is that even a word?) but there's nothing wrong with that. The main thing that concerns me is the script and the level of acting--those two things alone will make or break this movie, NOT costumes or FX. So far everything I've read about this film seems to say to me that they are going for good acting and a good story to tell, not just a special effects orgy. Remember the early phases of the making of "Batman and Robin?" Origionally they were gonna have Patrick Stewart be Mr. Freeze in that film. He would have been able to bring pathos and emotion to the character similar to how it's portrayed in the cartoon series (IMOHO, the TRUE successor to the Burton Batman movies). Instead they went for the big name on the marquee (Ah-nuld) and lotsa whiz-bang FX with no script worthy of the name and it deservedly cratered. I have a feeling that won't happen here, because everybody involved appears to give a damn. Just my 2 cents anyway.
listen to me by shaolin324th	Dec 19th, 1999 03:24:34 AM
ok, i'm not a current reader of comics, but i am still a big x-men fan so i feel like i gots something to say... the costumes that they're desigining will work, at least better than a direct interpretation of the comics. why? our thesps have less than adonis-looking bodies. in the comics, what you had was a bunch of bodybuilding-football players and swimsuit models. i forget who's playing cyclops, but most actors don't have the buffed-out arms or legs drawn out in comics. he just would look like some fag wearing really bright tights, not an aggressive leader capable of saving the world. Furthermore Magneto's supposed to be old, right? old people get saggy skin and wrinkles! imagine sir ian in a skintight red costume! For the ladies, though... i can't complain about the casting because they fufill the necessary sex-appeal quotient, but Anna Paquin as Rouge? She's not even 18 years old! Definately miscast for this role... I think someone more, shall we say, developed would have been a better choice? I suggest the ex-baywatch star Angelica Bridges, who has an immediate southern-belle ring to her look... anyways, other than that, I believe the people working on the project know what they're doing, and i'm telling the rest of you to have faith! It'll be alright, trust me...
This is not a comic by KillerCroc	Dec 19th, 1999 12:02:07 PM
Its a frickin' film based on a comic set in our world. Apart from frickin' assholes in marathons who do you see in costumes like in the frickin' comics!? These costumes are realistic versions of the comic counterpatrs. You frickin' fanboys should wake up and realise that cinema is a different format for a different frickin' audience. If they see frickin' fools dressed up like christmas tree fairies they are gonna laugh their asses off and forget the subject of the movie. Visuals should not be the focus, plot should. From the looks of it this film will have a good medium. So stop frickin' bitching like the whores you are and reserve judgement for the actual movie and not the damn frickin' wardrobe!!!!!!!!!!
It's "Rogue", dammit, not "Rouge"! by Dave_F	Dec 19th, 1999 01:24:28 PM
"Rouge" is the make-up chicks put on their cheeks - a "rogue" is a scoundrel or a thief (remember, she was one of the bad guys way back when, kids!). Geez, people always mess that one up for some reason. ****** Shaolin, Killercroc - folks like me who want more faithful costumes aren't necessarily asking for skintight costumes, just a better compromise between the comic tradition and the realities of film. Christopher Reeve didn't have a bodybuilder's muscles, just a decent athletic build, and he brought Superman to life as no one else has or will. Yes, we want "legit" actors, not athletes in these roles, but getting into decent shape is not that big a demand, I think. What's more, costumes can incorporate muscle padding to enhance the hero's look, ala the Flash TV show, or dare I say it, the Phantom (look, the movie sucked in spite of the costume, not because of it). Hell, you can even bring in those trendy jackets that some superheroes wear today if you want to cover up their less-than-heroic biceps. Or go with a more armor-like costume ala Batman in the movies. Point is, a good costume designer should be able to come up with all kinds of ideas for adapting superheroes with a bit of faithfulness. The costumes are important because they're part of what makes superheroes superheroes. The costume is, in fact, one of those things that essentially define a superhero. I'll judge the X-Men movie on its own merits, and maybe it'll hold up, maybe it won't. But I'm still waiting for a director out there to recognize that the way to adapt comic book material is to not be embarrassed by the source material. Now if Spider-Man isn't wearing the classic red and blue costume, I'm gonna kick some ass.
X-costumes by Fluffy da Bunny	Dec 19th, 1999 01:31:11 PM
I really want to see this movie succeed, really I do. This is the first big budget movie based on Marvel superheroes (not counting Blade, who is a supernatural/horror character) and the comic industry could sure use a boost in sales brought in by new customers. I'm certainly hoping these are not the final designs. The most upseting to me is the change in Magneto's helmet, which in the comic, is a such wonderful iconic design, is here reduced to a monochromatic goofy "M" design. How awful. The suit doesn't bother me as much, but it looks dull and uninteresting. I didn't like the fetish approach that has been tacked to the Bat costumes in the recent movie versions, and I don't like here on Cyclops. Would it just kill Hollywood to make something to resemble the original source material once in a while? I mean Keaton's rubber Batsuit wouldn't have scared a baby,(hell, Keaton could'nt scare a baby) but Nicholson's Joker actually resembled the Golden-Age version (as opposed to the really slim and spooky modern version). Speaking as a artist in the field, I hope this makes big bucks and brings lots and lots of new fans to comic shops, but as a fan, I'm not happy with what I've seen so far, and that's putting it mildly.
kkrankk says:You're Goddamn right! You know who you are. by kkrankk	Dec 19th, 1999 04:17:00 PM
But this is to everyone who is wrong. Why in Hell do some of you morons (not that there's anything wrong with that) insist on putting yourselves in the either/or trap? "The filmmakers can't have costumes even slightly faithful to the original source material because they're concentrating on a good script and good acting". These three elements are not mutually exclusive. Stop apologizing for the lousy costume design. And don't try to argue that comic geeks would "get" it but no one else would. That's like saying only computer hackers would like THE MATRIX. If a half-million comic fans walked out of theaters on opening day and told everyone they knew, "I just saw the coolest movie I've ever seen. You must see this," X-MEN would outgross TITANIC regardless of how comic-booky the costumes were. (If the movie was, in fact, awesome beyond belief). Costumes can be simultaneously faithful and believable but probably won't be until ignorant self-hating comic fan sheep stop supporting the evisceration of classic characters by multinational conglomorates. Wise up, sheep.
Not what I meant by CountZero	Dec 19th, 1999 05:01:10 PM
I WASN'T suggesting that the reason they aren't being faithful to the original costumes is for the benefit of non-comics readers who wouldn't "get it," what I was trying to illustrate is that the average, non-comics-reading moviegoer is probably unaware of what the comic book costumes look like, and probably wouldn't care. It's only the comics fans who seem to take it as a personal insult when they see that the designs have deviated from the original. I'm not particularly thrilled with these designs either, but NOT because they aren't slavish to the comic book; I expected that. I just think they're weak designs, period. But ultimately, as I have said, the whole thing will stand or fall on the quality of the story and the performances. We all have to wait.

Talkbacks

Coming Attraction X-MEN scoop!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks