Matthew Vaughn Says He Left X-MEN 3 Due To Execs Lying To Halle Berry

Did you know that X-MEN: FIRST CLASS director Matthew Vaughn was originally signed to direct X-MEN: THE LAST STAND? Back then, word came he left production due to “family issues,” then it later came out that he had issues with the script and making the film he wanted. Now we have a much more shocking expansion on his exit from the third film in the original mutant franchise.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Vaughn reveals that executives tried to fool STORM actress Halle Berry into returning by wooing her with a fake script that expanded on the character’s role.

“I went into one of the executive’s office and I saw an X3 script, and I immediately knew it was a lot fatter. I was like what the hell is this draft. He went, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m the director. I’m worrying about this draft,’” he recalled. “He wouldn’t tell me, so I grabbed it literally — it was like a crazy moment — opened the first page, and it said, ‘Africa. Storm. Kids dying of no water. She creates a thunderstorm and saves all these children.’”

Vaughn said he thought it was a “pretty cool idea,” but quickly found out their were nefarious intentions at hand. “[I went,] ‘What is this?’ [They said,] ‘Oh, it’s Halle Berry’s script. I went, ‘OK, because she hasn’t signed up yet.’ ‘But this is what she wants it to be, and once she signs up, we’ll throw it in the bin,’” he said. “I was like, ‘Wow, you’re gonna do that to an Oscar-winning actress who plays Storm? I’m outta here.’ So I quit at that point.”

Brett Ratner would later take up directorial duties. Berry’s role in the film did increase substantially compared to the first two entries, giving her more to do, but it’s pretty sad (and disrespectful) they would go to such legnths to obtain her…with a lie.

We’re not sure if Berry ever read that version of the script. In 2005, she told us directly about her wishes for Storm in X3.: “I have not read the script,” she said. “All I have asked, is that if I come back as Storm, she needs to be closer to the comic book. So, if they have in fact written her closer to the comic book character, then I’m in. If not, I’m out. I hope I’m in though. I love Storm, and really want to be part of the last film.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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