In a recent revelation, renowned filmmaker Mathew Vaughn, celebrated for his work on films like Kick-Ass and Kingsman, shared an intriguing anecdote about how the talented Oscar-winning actress, Halle Berry, fell for a clever “bait-and-switch” maneuver.
Back in the 2000s, the director spilled the beans that Halle Berry was hoodwinked into taking on a role in X-Men: The Last Stand. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Mathew Vaughn, who went on to helm X-Men: First Class, unfolded the story behind his departure from the directorial duties of X-Men: The Last Stand.
Mathew Vaughn Reveals How Studio Used Dirty Tactics
Matthew Vaughn revealed that Halle Berry was reluctant to sign on for the movie, even with the return of big stars like Hugh Jackman. Consequently, the studio executives opted for a sneaky strategy, which Vaughn eventually uncovered.
Vaughn said (via THR):
“Halle was not signing the movie despite the return of superstars like Hugh Jackman. So, the studio executives decided to play a duplicity tactic that was discovered by me.”
Mathew further shared that during his investigation, he stumbled upon an X3 script at the executive’s office. Upon questioning the executives about the hefty script, he was informed that it was meant for Halle. The script depicted a powerful scene where Halle’s character utilizes her superpowers to aid hungry children in Africa.
Matthew Vaughn emphasized that the executive told him that the film’s script was deliberately tailored to Halle Berry’s desires, adding that once she committed, they planned to discard it.
Right then and there, the director made it clear that he was walking away from the movie. Matthew Vaughn recounted that he had informed them that if they were going to treat an Oscar-winning actress in this manner, he would step away. Consequently, he decided to quit at that moment.
Matthew Vaughn Planning Kickass Reboot
Matthew Vaughn, the director of Kingsman 3, recently led an exclusive panel at New York Comic Con, as reported by ScreenRant. He provided some insights into what fans can anticipate in the next installment of the Kingsman series, titled Kingsman: The Blue Blood. Following this discussion, he also dropped hints about another exciting venture, a reboot of one of his most legendary creations, Kick-Ass.
Vaughn said (via ScreenRant):
“Next year we’re rebooting Kick-Ass and we’re making Kingsman 3… Kick-Ass sort of changed people’s perception of what a superhero film is at that time. So we’re doing it again.”
Kick-Ass revolutionized the superhero genre, breaking all the conventions and reshaping its perception. Given its immense impact, it’s natural that fans have been eager for a reboot. Despite the excitement sparked by this news, Vaughn promptly tempered their expectations.
X-Men: The Last Stand is available for streaming on Disney+.
