Even though “X-Men: First Class” was a big hit, earning over $350 million worldwide, Matthew Vaughn has kept a low profile since the summer with barely a peep out of the director. He’s likely been recharging his batteries after a whirlwind production and press tour that saw him rushing to get the superhero movie locked in time, all while talking to basically everybody on the planet about the film. While there was much talk of a ’70s or ’80s set ‘First Class’ sequel in the run up to the film’s release, that chatter has pretty much died off. While Fox has “The Wolverine” on deck for their next trip in to the ‘X-Men’ franchise, Vaughn is beginning to consider what he’ll do next and he’s looking to “Kick-Ass” creator Mark Millar once again, with two potential projects lining up as possibilities.
The first is “The Secret Service,” a comic Vaughn, Millar, and artist Dave Gibbons (“Watchmen“) unveiled this week. While plot details are being kept secret for now, the director holds the movie rights for any feature film adaptation. The second is Millar’s “Superior,” a story of a comic geek afflicted by multiple sclerosis, who is given the shot to gain superpowers, but with a heavy cost attached. And that’s about it. It’s pretty early stages on both, with no screenwriters attached to either film. It’s believed that Vaughn will adapt “The Secret Service” himself, probably reaching out to “Kick-Ass” and ‘First Class’ collaborator Jane Goldman once again. As for “Superior,” he will supervise but not take on the writing himself.
His journey with Fox on ‘First Class’ wasn’t exactly the most fun Vaughn had on set. From promo photos leaking early to actresses telling the press the film was running over schedule, the production was a logistical nightmare for the helmer. His first run through a major studio film was certainly a trial by fire. The plan here is likely to go independent where Vaughn can have greater control over the filmmaking process.
Last year, Millar had already boasted he had “locked down most high profile actor of 2010” for the movie promising an official announcement in January. Well, that didn’t happen, but if anything, the always chatty Millar is now going to have even more fuel for his wild promises and speculation. Great.
