Fake ‘X-Men’ script written to lure Halle Berry into reprising Storm role, director claims
ByJack Hobbs
Published Oct. 16, 2023, 9:47 a.m. ET
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Director Matthew Vaughn claimed on Saturday that he decided to leave the 2006 blockbuster “X-Men: The Last Stand” after learning that several Fox executives were planning on giving Halle Berry a fake script.
Speaking at New York Comic Con, Vaughn, 52, alleged that he walked into an executive’s office and noticed that the script that was being sent to the “Catwoman” actress was considerably different from the one he had, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“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?'” the “Kingsmen” director told the audience. “He went, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m the director. I’m worrying about this draft.'”
“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,'” continued Vaughn.
5Speaking at New York Comic Con on Saturday, Vaughn, 52, claimed that he walked into an executive’s office and noticed that the script that was being sent to the “Catwoman” actress was considerably different from the one he had.Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
5The “Monster’s Ball” star would reprise her role as Storm/Ororo Munroe in 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” before finally getting to work with Vaughn in 2017’s “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast Company
Even though Vaughn admitted it was a “pretty cool idea,” he was still furious that the film executives would try to allegedly dupe Berry, 57, with a fake script.
“[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,’” Vaughn recalled the executives allegedly saying.
“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.”
5“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,'” continued Vaugh.
The Post reached out to Berry and Fox for comment.
Berry eventually agreed to join the film — with the original script — alongside Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Elliot Page and James Marsden.
Vaughn was replaced by “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner.
“X-Men: The Last Stand” grossed nearly $234 million at the domestic box office while making $460.4 million worldwide and landed at a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes.
5Berry eventually agreed to join the film alongside acting legends Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Elliot Page and James Marsden.
5Vaugh was replaced by “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner.Getty Images for ReedPop
The “Monster’s Ball” star would reprise her role as Storm/Ororo Munroe in 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” before finally getting to work with Vaughn in 2017’s “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”
Berry made her debut as Storm in Bryan Singer’s 2000 film “X-Men.”
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She opened up about the character during an interview with Vanity Fair in 2021.
“I would absolutely return to it, it’s a beloved character, I loved playing Storm, and people love Storm,” she said at the time.
She added: “So, I would absolutely, you know, if we could find a version that would make sense, or a storyline that would make sense, I would absolutely do that, for sure.”
