Key Takeaways:
– Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry almost experienced betrayal by Fox Studios during the filming of X-Men: The Last Stand.
– Matthew Vaughn, who was originally signed to direct the film, left upon discovering what the studio planned for Berry’s character, Storm.
– Berry had developed a script that was discarded after she signed her contract, prompting Vaughn’s exit.
Actor Betrayal Subdued, Matthew Vaughn Intimidated by Halle Berry’s X-Men Script
Best known for her character Storm in the X-Men franchise, Halle Berry was almost betrayed by Fox Studios during the making of X-Men: The Last Stand. Renowned filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, initially hired to direct the film, ultimately walked away due to the studio’s shady actions.
Vaughn, famous for his movie Layer Cake and for his production work on Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, was approached to direct the third X-Men film. He took up the position after Bryan Singer the director for the first two films, decided to switch to Superman Returns, pulling his writing staff with him.
While Vaughn was handling the film’s direction, most of the cast, including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, and Patrick Stewart, were in contract negotiations as their agreements only covered the first two films. Amidst this, Vaughn chose Kelsey Grammer for the role of Beast. Circumstances led him to leave the project in 2005, citing family reasons, according to the BBC.
Matthew Vaughn’s Departure and Fox’s Maneuver
Reflecting on his stint as X-Men: The Last Stand’s director, Matthew Vaughn shared interesting insights in 2023. He disclosed a peculiar encounter with a Fox executive, who presented him with a thick, unfamiliar script drafted by Halle Berry. Feeling pressured by the hefty script and dubious about his commitments, Vaughn felt frustration rise.
Fox had already declared May 2006 as the film’s release date, even though no director had officially committed.
Executives’ Attempt to Discard Halle Berry’s Script
As Matthew Vaughn was contemplating the director’s seat for X-Men: The Last Stand, Halle Berry had not yet confirmed her involvement. The Oscar-winning actress had also starred in DC’s Catwoman, which unfortunately earned the title of one of the worst films of all time.
Vaughn initially cited unwillingness to uproot his family as the reason for leaving the film. In reality, the true cause of his exit emerged later. Vaughn was not satisfied with the Fox executive’s remarks concerning Halle Berry’s script. The director was shocked to learn that the studio planned to dump the script once Berry signed her contract. This disrespect shown towards the Oscar-winning actress led Vaughn to quit the project.
Vaughn admitted he favored the part in Berry’s script where Storm saves children in Africa in an opening scene. But the unprofessional actions planned by the studio led him to his final decision.
Conclusion
The widely popular X-Men: The Last Stand offers an intriguing behind-the-scenes story involving Halle Berry, one of its leading stars. Despite the brimming controversy, the film remains a memorable part of the X-Men series, available for streaming on Disney Plus.
Remember, authenticity and professionalism in any project is crucial, as this case shows. Making films is an art form, not just a business transaction, and every artist’s contribution should be honored.
