The “X-Men” franchise has always revolved around the same core group of superheroes. By shifting back and forth in time, viewers are given insight into the origins of our mutant heroes.
Younger versions of various X-Men characters have appeared on the big screen over the years, and a fresh crop of new faces are about to make their debut appearance in “X-Men: Apocalypse”. One of them is the young Jean Grey, played by Sophie Turner. As it turns out, Famke Janssen, the actress who first brought the telepathic mutant to life isn’t too pleased with the recasting decision.
In speaking with Entertainment Weekly Radio, the 51-year-old actress expressed her desire to reprise her role as the older Jean Grey in future stories. Although she doesn’t have any qualms with Turner, Janssen believes that the move to cast younger actresses in the “X-Men” franchise is a sign of Hollywood’s sexism and ageism against older women.
“In the X-Men series, they’ve been doing this for years. Although women, it’s interesting because they’re replaced, and the older versions – or more mature, whatever the politically correct version of that is – are never to be seen again. Whereas the men are allowed to be both ages. Sexism. I think that I should be back along with my younger version and the way that we’ve seen it with Magneto (Ian McKellen) and Professor X (Patrick Stewart),” she said.
Janssen had previously tried to discuss a return for the older Jean with the producers but to no avail. “I have not heard any feedback on that, other than total radio silence,” she revealed. Would it have made sense to include the older version of Jean in the upcoming movie? “Apocalypse” will take place 20 years before we were introduced to the Jean in 2000’s “X-Men”.
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The major difference between the teenage Jean and her older self will be in how she’s adapting to her abilities. “She’s young and isolated and so insecure and very alienated – even from the other mutants – because she’s so powerful. So there’s a real vulnerability to her and it’s great to see how her and Scott (Tye Sheridan) find each other through that alienation,” Turner previously said.
Despite her comments on sexism, Janssen is looking forward to see Turner’s interpretation of Grey. “She emailed me before she started filming wanting some pointers. And I said, ‘You don’t need any. You’re perfect. You’re great.’ So I can’t wait to see the movie and what she’s done with it,” said the actress.
So how do y’all feel about this? Would you like to see Janssen reprising her version of Jean or are you content with Turner taking over indefinitely?
“X-Men: Apocalypse” will be released in Malaysia on 19th May 2016.
Sources: Screen Rant, The Guardian, Cinema Blend, M Star News.
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