X-Men: The Last Stand, despite grossing $460.4 million worldwide, received mixed reviews with audience ratings at 3.3 and critics at 2.9. Following Bryan Singer’s departure, Fox Studios struggled to find a replacement, approaching several directors before settling on Brett Ratner. The production faced numerous setbacks, including script issues and actor negotiations. Ultimately, Ratner took the helm, later paving the way for Matthew Vaughn’s return to the franchise with X-Men: First Class.
X-Men: The Last Stand – A Bumpy Journey to the Big Screen
Despite not being the most celebrated entry in the Marvel cinematic universe, X-Men: The Last Stand managed to rake in a staggering $460.4 million globally. However, its reception was lukewarm, with audience ratings hovering at 3.3 out of 5 and critics giving it an even lower score of 2.9.
Following the departure of Bryan Singer, the acclaimed director of the first two X-Men films, the project faced significant challenges. Singer took his writing team with him to work on Superman Returns, leaving Fox Studios in a precarious position. They initially approached Darren Aronofsky, who had gained recognition for his work on The Fountain, but he ultimately turned down the opportunity.
A Search for the Right Director
Fox then reached out to Joss Whedon, a writer known for his contributions to X-Men comics. At that time, Whedon was engrossed in developing a Wonder Woman film that never came to fruition. Ultimately, his talents would be recognized by Marvel later on for the Avengers franchise.
In a hurry to capitalize on existing contracts with actors, Fox sought to expedite the film’s production. Several directors were in the running, including Rob Bowman and Peter Berg, both of whom declined. The studio also approached Alex Proyas, who rejected the offer due to creative differences.
Initially, Matthew Vaughn was brought on board but soon exited the project, citing family commitments. He later revealed another reason for his departure: he discovered a script that was significantly more extensive than what he had been given. When he inquired about it, he learned that it was a script influenced by Halle Berry, who was negotiating her participation in the film. The producer’s attempt to placate her with a fabricated scene did not sit well with Vaughn, leading him to step away from the project just a week into his new role.
Ultimately, the studio settled on Brett Ratner, known for his work on Rush Hour and Red Dragon, to helm X-Men: The Last Stand. Interestingly, Ratner was also a contender for directing the initial X-Men film back in 2000. After Ratner’s tenure, Vaughn returned to the franchise to direct X-Men: First Class, which served as a prequel to the original trilogy.