Of us, I’ve a confession. Whereas those that know me finest may let you know that I’m one thing of an X-Males apologist who will give each movie involving these characters greater than a good shake- The reality is that 2006’s X-Males: The Final Stand is without doubt one of the most disappointing films of my complete fanboy lifetime. I imply, there’s simply too many questions I’ve each time I watch this movie. Why did they rush the manufacturing and sacrifice the inclusion of a few of their hottest characters? When is that this distant future that appears superior after which seems to be a hazard simulator? Which plot line ought to we be being attentive to most? Who is that this film for? And, in fact, the largest query I’m left with after watching X-Males: The Final Stand is… The place the hell is Nightcrawler?
See, after the discharge of X2: X-Males United in 2003, audiences have been left feeling just like the X-Males had unlocked the potential for big- super-team movies. We had a number of characters (every with their very own story and arcs) and the movie concurrently builds off of the established storyline of the unique film, whereas introducing new characters, conflicts, and prospects for what’s subsequent. By far, essentially the most memorable factor to return from X2 was Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler.
Within the opening scene of X2 (which we’ve talked about at size proper right here), audiences have been tickled by the visible marvels of teleportation and a blue demon bouncing across the White Home in a puff of blue smoke. All through the film, we study quite a bit about this fan favourite character and the way Kurt differs from the opposite Mutants on the X-Mansion and the way it may arrange an fascinating private battle for the character. By the top of the movie, Nightcrawler has joined the X-Males and seemingly discovered his place amongst his kind- in a job the place he can actually do some good. However then, three years later his introduction, when cameras began rolling on X-Males: The Final Stand, our pointy-eared catholic carny was nowhere to be discovered.
Regardless of the numerous issues with the manufacturing of this movie, getting among the solid to return for the third installment was among the many most outstanding. Notably, James Marsden who performed Cyclops was killed off in a moderately unceremoniously within the first half of the film and simply sort of dies offscreen. To not point out the odd (virtually) demise of Charles Xavier which felt approach too early within the movie- and naturally, the shortage of Nightcrawler. Now, in REAL life- actor Alan Cumming opted to not return as a result of he had such an uncomfortable expertise sitting within the make-up chair for 6-8 hours a day. The contacts affected his imaginative and prescient, the time within the chair with 3-5 artists all up in his private house, and the problem staying cool whereas the warmth from the make-up cooked him- he simply didn’t wish to commit to a different 12 months of this. Particularly contemplating that Nightcrawler was initially deliberate to have an even bigger function within the third movie. With regard to not returning- Alan Cumming stated, “I mean, it was just awful.” Now, if that’s all there was to it then this video could be over already. However simply as making films requires the power to adapt to those sorts of issues, the story does as nicely.
So, how did they clarify Nightcrawler’s absence from this film? Or I assume first we must always ask… DID they clarify it in any respect? Properly really, sure. However not in the way in which you may assume.
A giant pattern within the early 2000s was for online game builders to create tie-in video video games to massive franchise movies to assist maximize income. X-Males had many video video games based mostly on their characters and comics so it solely made sense to do the identical for the flicks. And people, the tie-in recreation for X2: X-Males United is… so essential to explaining why Nightcrawler wasn’t within the third film. In case you’re on the lookout for a full overview of the sport itself, I’m positive they’re round on-line. I personally HAVE performed this recreation and do assume it may be enjoyable however provided that you’re into the PS2 console video games that very a lot FEEL like PS2 console video games. Within the recreation, you’ll be able to play as lots of your favourite X-Males in a scramble to defeat the Brotherhood of Mutants, the army, and discover little collectibles that (admittedly) are simple to seek out however extraordinarily unsatisfying to get. However, I do assume it’s cool that you could play as Bobby Drake and surf round on ice trails.
Again to Nightcrawler- In X2 (the film) Kurt is revealed to be a hardcore catholic with a powerful aversion to violence. He’s a pacifist. The X-Males are clearly preventing to guard earth, however preventing nonetheless. And after Nightcrawler joins the workforce and subsequently fails to avoid wasting Jason (the type of major villain) from his death- his future grew to become unclear. Now, the film has him with the X-Males within the last scene so all of us assumed we’d be seeing him once more. However once we didn’t, those that lined as much as get one other spherical of Nightcrawler hopping round and throwing exhausting kicks at dangerous guys after which all we obtained was some bizarre rubbery de-aging, pre-mature and underwhelming deaths, and a rushed adaption of the Phoenix saga- we instantly began to overlook our blue homie a complete lot extra.
So, within the game- there’s a scene that exhibits Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler (who you’ll be able to play as within the recreation and it’s very enjoyable) and he explains that he plans to depart the X-Males and transfer out of the mansion to return to his house in Germany. His reasoning? Properly, in keeping with him, the guilt of not with the ability to save Jason from the occasions of the second movie, and the fixed string of fist fights as an X-Males member, Kurt simply wished to depart the lifetime of violence behind him and go house to the circus.
So, the bitter style in my mouth from considering that Fox had the balls to delete my favourite X2 character from the third film won’t ever absolutely go away. However, a giant a part of that was me considering that no person was ever going to acknowledge that he was nonetheless on the market in universe- and simply depart us questioning. With this small tie-in online game that no person appears to recollect or care about- I really feel a bit of bit higher understanding that there’s no less than SOME hint of what occurred to Nightcrawler and why he wasn’t there to make X-Males: The Final Stand a bit of bit much less shitty.
After all, earlier this 12 months it was formally introduced that Cumming could be COMING BACK to play Nightcrawler once more and may actually have a cool combat with Mr Improbable in Avengers: Doomsday and even defined that he agreed to return again on the ripe previous age of sixty as a result of they have been in a position to get his time within the make-up chair right down to about 90 minutes from the unique 4-6 hours. Let’s hope it seems to be pretty much as good because it does in X2, but when I had only one request- put him within the basic Munich Circus costume. I appreciated his sensible outfit, however I would like these massive sharp shoulder pads. I imply, if they’d the heart to do it within the First Class collection, we are able to get away with it now.
I additionally assume we are able to anticipate that there can be some callback to why he left the X-Males within the first place, so we’ll see if they simply elevate the reason immediately from this online game. I feel they should in order that this video doesn’t develop into outdated and inaccurate after Doomsday comes out.
