Tom Rothman’s Approach to the X-Men Franchise: A Controversial Take

Tom Rothman, who once held the presidency of 20th Century Fox and is now the CEO of Sony Pictures, has had his fair share of intriguing ideas about preserving the film industry. However, his management of the “X-Men” franchise during his tenure at Fox has sparked some notable controversy. Screenwriter David Hayter reveals that Rothman’s strategy for the “X-Men” was essentially to cater to the comic book fans until 10:00 PM on Friday, and then shift focus to the rest of the audience.

Rothman’s Perspective on the X-Men Franchise

In the current era where film studios often overindulge the desires of fanboys, Rothman’s approach may seem somewhat refreshing. However, it also suggests a certain disdain for the source material. This attitude is further exemplified by Bryan Singer, who supposedly found the term “X-Men” too absurd to utter aloud, a minor transgression compared to some of his other actions.

The X-Men Franchise’s Departure from the Comics

This disregard for the source material is evident in lines from the “X-Men” films such as Cyclops (James Marsden) asking Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) if he would rather don yellow spandex. The implication is that the comics are foolish and nonsensical, and the films aim to mature them. The X-Men’s costumes may seem ridiculous in live-action, but they were designed for the vibrant world of comic books, which begs the question of whether they should have remained there.

The Uniform Black Costumes in Singer’s X-Men Movies

The uniform black costumes in Singer’s “X-Men” films lack personality, as do many of the characters who wear them. When Singer returned to the franchise years later for “Days of Future Past” and “Apocalypse,” he once again dressed the X-Men in drab, dark costumes with only hints of color, despite the fact that “The Matrix” was no longer Hollywood’s latest obsession.

The Influence and Misrepresentation of the X-Men Movies

The “X-Men” films are influential but offer a poor representation of the source material, a dangerous combination. Mark Millar, the writer of “Ultimate X-Men,” confessed to knowing nothing about the X-Men comics before undertaking the project, so he used the films as research material. Although artist Andy Kubert provided some character-specific uniqueness and additional yellow highlights, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “New X-Men” also put the X-Men in black-and-yellow jackets in an attempt to rebrand the series.

Pushback Against the Trend

Not everyone followed this trend. In Joss Whedon’s “Astonishing X-Men” from 2004, artist John Cassaday reverted the characters back to the Jack Kirby/Dave Cockrum blue-and-yellow design. Cyclops (or rather, Whedon) justified this decision as follows:

Marvel Comics

The recent and well-received animated series “X-Men ’97” also poked fun at the trend, with Cyclops asking Cable if he would rather wear black leather instead of the X-Men’s traditional costumes. If and when the Marvel Cinematic Universe produces an “X-Men” film, it’s likely that the mutants will more closely resemble Jim Lee’s interpretations of the characters than Bryan Singer’s.

However, as “Deadpool & Wolverine” demonstrates, a comic-accurate Wolverine costume alone does not guarantee a high-quality film.

Conclusion

Tom Rothman’s approach to the “X-Men” franchise, while controversial, offers a unique perspective on adapting comic book material for the big screen. While some may argue that the films stray too far from the source material, others appreciate the attempt to appeal to a broader audience. As the X-Men franchise continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how future filmmakers approach these beloved characters.

FAQs

Q: Who is Tom Rothman?
A: Tom Rothman is a film executive who has served as the president of 20th Century Fox and is currently the CEO of Sony Pictures.

Q: What was Rothman’s approach to the “X-Men” franchise?
A: Rothman aimed to cater to comic book fans until 10:00 PM on Friday, then shift focus to the broader audience.

Q: How did the “X-Men” films differ from the comics?
A: The films often strayed from the source material, including a shift from the vibrant costumes of the comics to uniform black outfits.

Q: What influence have the “X-Men” films had on the comic book industry?
A: The films have been highly influential, with some comic book writers using them as research material. However, they have also been criticized for their misrepresentation of the source material.

Credit: www.slashfilm.com