Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ Finds Its Cinematographer in ‘Sing Sing’ and ‘Pig’ DP Pat Scola

This is interesting. Pat Scola has confirmed on his site that he will be the cinematographer on Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” reboot. An intriguing choice because his résumé isn’t built around conventional superhero spectacle.

Scola has shot Michael Sarnoski’s three films — “Pig,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and “The Death of Robin Hood” — as well as the acclaimed indie “Sing Sing.” That background could point toward an “X-Men” that feels more grounded and cinematic than some of Marvel’s recent blockbusters, or at least that’s the hope.

Scola has a particular interest in naturalism; he shot “Sing Sing” on Super 16mm and deliberately pursued an older, less polished aesthetic. Now, of course, there’s no chance in hell Kevin Feige will allow him much creative freedom to do the same on “X-Men,” but here’s hoping some of Scola’s visual identity seeps through the frames of “X-Men.”

The best-case scenario is that Scola gives “X-Men” a visual identity that distinguishes it from both the Fox movies and the broader MCU house style.

Now, Jake Schreier (“Thunderbolts”) is directing “X-Men,” which means we could still get some gloss. Michael Lesslie — known for “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” and “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” — wrote the last draft, revising an earlier draft by Aaron Rabin and Zach Dean. “Beef” creator Lee Sung Jin and “The Bear” writer and co-showrunner Joanna Calo have been hired to spruce it up further.

Now, the cast — Kit Connor (Cyclops), Samara Weaving (Emma Frost), Inde Navarrette (Rogue), Sadie Sink (Jean Grey), Adam Driver (Mr. Sinister), and Christopher Abbott (Professor X). Magneto will be part of the movie, and the actor playing him should be announced soon. As for Wolverine, that’s a highly guarded secret. It could be Hugh Jackman or a new actor.

The upcoming reboot marks the X-Men’s major return to theaters since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019. Fox’s previous X-Men franchise, which spanned seven mainline films and three Wolverine spin-offs, came to an underwhelming end after 2019’s “Dark Phoenix” faltered with both critics and audiences.

Marvel’s “X-Men” reboot is scheduled for worldwide May 5, 2028 release.

Janicza Bravo to Direct ‘Preppy,’ Her First Feature Since 2020’s ‘Zola’ — Shooting in September

It’s been six years since Janicza Bravo last directed a feature, with her acclaimed 2020 black comedy “Zola” marking her most recent film behind the camera.

Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ Finds Its Cinematographer in ‘Sing Sing’ and ‘Pig’ DP Pat Scola

Scola has shot Michael Sarnoski’s three films — “Pig,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and “The Death of Robin Hood” — as well as the acclaimed indie “Sing Sing.”

Netflix Says David Fincher Is Why ‘Mindhunter’ Never Got Season 3, Contradicting the Director’s Account

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Mike Leigh Says ‘Tender Loving Care’ Is “Almost Certainly” His Final Film: “I’m Now Somewhat Handicapped”

He explains that even if another film were approved, “it wouldn’t get made for two years,” leaving him uncertain about “what state I’ll be in at 85, if I’m still here.”

Inde Navarrette Auditioned for ‘Heat 2,’ But Sources Say She Was Never Offered the Role

A person with knowledge of the situation suspects Navarrette’s reps may have helped leak the “Heat 2” narrative to Page Six: she was never offered the role in the first place.

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

Good/Great Movies That Don't Deserve Their “Rotten" Scores

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Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Glimpses of the Moon’ (Apparently) Starts Production This Month in Italy

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Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

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