X-Men: Days of Future Past, which features the return of original filmmaker Bryan Singer, opens up a new chapter in the X-Men universe even as it link mutants all along the time continuum. With the addition of The Sentinels, humanity’s very existence is threatened, and it’s up to the mutants to save the day once again.
A hero’s journey is usually never a bed of roses, and some of our favorite X-Men characters may perish in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Tragedy is a part of our lives, and the Marvel Universe has never shied away from such truths.
“You’re seven movies in or something, so you’ve got to stretch not just the audience, you’ve got to stretch the characters in order to give the audience something new,” said McAvoy, who returns as the physically and emotionally Charles Xavier in the narrative . “The point of going back is to show how different people are so the audience can be there for the key turning points in their lives when somebody goes through the crucible and somebody is galvanized. Somebody is formed. Somebody becomes who they will be. You’ve got to hang around for the worst moments because if they don’t kill you – they make you stronger.”
The actor continues with his insightful analysis of X-Men’s themes but actually ends on a humorous note. “What’s interesting about this movie is that lots of people do get killed, they don’t get made stronger,” said McAvoy. “But (it’s) in aid of saving the future and somehow altering the past and all that kind of stuff. And that’s kind of dark and amazing, but ultimately…I don’t know what I’m saying.”
Click on the media bar to hear McAvoy talk about the tragic and hopeful journey that resonates within X-Men: Days of Future Past. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg also chimes in during interview to talk about Professor X’s importance in the storyline.
X-Men: Days of Future Past opens May 23.
