‘It’s The Enemy Of Storytelling’: Logan Director James Mangold Shares Thoughts On Cinematic Universes

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As a long-time fan of James Mangold‘s work, I have always admired his unique perspective on storytelling, especially when it comes to bringing iconic characters to life on the big screen. His recent comments about cinematic universes and interconnected movies resonated with me deeply, as someone who has grown tired of the constant referencing and cross-promotion that seems to overshadow the core stories in many modern blockbusters.

As a long-time fan of the X-Men franchise and Hugh Jackman’s iconic portrayal of Wolverine, I am beyond excited for the upcoming release of “Deadpool and Wolverine.” Having grown up watching Jackman bring the clawed mutant to life on the big screen, it feels surreal that he’s returning once again. But this time, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is joining the party!

James Mangold is gearing up to direct a new project: a biopic about Bob Dylan featuring Timothée Chalamet. With the first trailer for “A Complete Unknown” being released on Wednesday, Mangold was questioned if he would create an interconnected film series by reprising Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash from “Walk The Line.” This is what he told Rolling Stone:

I’ve spent my career in the captivating realm of intellectual property entertainment, yet I’ve always shied away from multiverse concepts. My aversion to interconnected movie universes might come as a surprise given my professional background. But I’ve learned that stories with clear beginnings, middles, and ends are more appealing to me.

In his own words, Mangold didn’t specifically refer to the MCU or any multiverse during his speech. However, his viewpoint aligns with the current trend among studios in creating interconnected universes. Having worked on a Marvel project with “Logan,” Mangold approached it differently. Unlike typical Marvel films filled with cameos, references, and intricate connections, “Logan” was almost devoid of such elements. Contrary to expectations, the potential spin-off film centered around X-23 never materialized, despite initial plans.

My focus is consistently on identifying what sets this film apart and makes its characters distinctive. I’m not looking for comparisons to other movies or hidden meanings, which are more intellectual exercises than emotional connections. The goal is to engage the audience emotionally with the movie itself.

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Considering this perspective, don’t be surprised if James Mangold doesn’t direct an MCU film in the near future. He’s addressing a common complaint about multiverse films: they can seem more like advertisements for upcoming installments than cohesive stories in their own right. The most successful ones distinguish themselves by exploring unique emotional journeys instead of relying solely on references to other movies or easter eggs.

James Mangold, who isn’t known for working in the multiverse, has given his approval for Hugh Jackman to reprise his role as Logan in “Logan” before. Previously, Mangold shared that he and Jackman, whom he considers a close friend, discussed the idea of a “Midnight Run” or “48 Hrs.”-style adventure with Deadpool and Logan. He fully supports Reynolds, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy pursuing this concept with “Deadpool and Wolverine.”

I’m really excited about this weekend! Deadpool and Wolverine are two of my all-time favorite superheroes, and I can hardly contain my excitement that their movie is finally hitting theaters. And to top it off, I’ve heard great things about Mangold’s next project, A Complete Unknown, which I’m looking forward to seeing in December. With my background in film criticism and having attended numerous premieres, I can confidently say that these two films are not to be missed!

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2024-07-25 15:07