Just as the original X-Men trilogy was built on the strength of Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen, this latest series had the star power of Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence. But things have changed for them all since they first signed on to 2011's X-Men: First Class, inking a multi-picture deal that wraps up with this month's X-Men: Apocalypse. While McAvoy seems to be returning as Xavier, possibly in New Mutants, the latest comments from Lawrence suggest nothing is set in stone.
Lawrence has been shakier than most about her desire to come back as the blue-skinned Mystique. Last year she was pretty blunt in saying she was finished with the franchise but since then she has changed her tune. Or has she? She tells EW that she could be convinced to come back, but only if her co-stars return along with her...
“Fassbender and McAvoy and I were all talking. Like, ‘Will you come back?’ ‘I dunno.’ ‘I’ll come back, if you come back.’ Fox should be terrified because the deal we made was like if one of us doesn’t come back, none of us are.”
So basically it's all or nothing. Fox may be willing to let them walk, just because the trio are going to be hugely expensive now, and the stories seem to be veering away from Mystique and Magneto. Lawrence, who has long stated her hatred for the blue make-up she has to wear for the role, is busy enough that she can afford to leave the X-Men behind.
“I would love to come back. I love the fans and I love the character. But then you realize how important your year is, like how important three months out of your year is. I don’t know. I shouldn’t be that honest.”
It's surprising there hasn't been any talk of a Mystique spinoff movie, which to me would be far more interesting than a Black Widow or Harley Quinn film.
X-Men: Apocalypse opens May 27th.
