Shonda Rhimes & The X-Men
Principal photography has begun on Shonda Rhimes’ X-Men film for Marvel Studios. After the tornado that was Bryan Singer’s departure from the franchise, and then Marvel’s quick buyout of Fox, Rhimes was quickly scooped up to reboot the films series in it’s entirety. Currently Rhimes has her hand in the ABC hit series’ Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and most recently How To Get Away With Murder. And continuing her trend of powerful black women at the helm of her creative endeavors, it was no surprise when Rhimes cast Angela Bassett at the helm of the film. Shonda spoke with FanBros.com earlier this week about her experience with the X-Men and why she chose Bassett for the role of Storm.
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of the X-Men as a proxy for minorities in america. It may not be as clear in the early material, but most definitely with more prominent storylines like God Loves, Man Kills. Villains using religion to justify the mistreatment, and more often murder, of mutants. I feel it’s my duty as a storyteller, and a person of color, to tell the story of these characters and their cause. And who doesn’t think of Angela Bassett when someone mentions Storm? I read the more recent X-men material, and how Storm has taken her destiny into her own hands, as a leader, a teacher and a person. Angela instantly came to mind. Of course we had her screen test for the role, she blew it out of the water. That cinched it. I knew she was my Storm.
Rumors are popping up left and right about how Rhimes plans on entering the X-Men back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What storylines will she adapt. Rhimes hasn’t given a definite answer but she gave Fanbros.com a few hints.
The writers have definitely crafted a modern X-men story. A team of people who work together to protect mutants, fight for mutant rights, and strive for equality between homo sapien, and homo sapien superior. But while they may be fighting for mutant rights, they’re still educators to the mutant youth. Some are even parents.
Mutant parents? Could Shonda be hinting at a Cable appearance? Or maybe even Brian Wood’s X-Men run that introduced Jubilee as a mother? We’ll find out more as we get closer to the release date of Marvel Studio’s X-men.
