“Actor Ben Foster Discusses Life As “X-Men 3’s” Archangel!”
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 6, 2006
VH1.com has a simply FAB interview with rising new star, actor, Ben Foster (who you may know from his role in HBO’s TV Series, “Six Feet Under”), who discusses collaring and working in the coveted role of Archangel, the newest character to come on board the “X-Men” film franchise, appearing in the films’ 3rd installment “X3”, set for worldwide release on May 26, 2006!
If Foster’s face seems familiar, it’s probably because that while he may be new to the “X-Men” films, he certainly is no newcomer to acting, and he already has a substantial resume and body of work.
Foster has made a name for himself, honing his chops as an actor since he was just sixteen years old. He also may register with many folks for the list of villainous, nasty characters that he has portrayed.
You may remember Foster for scaring the daylights out of you, portraying a psycho in “Hostage” starring Bruce Willis. He also has won accolades for his “Trainspotting” like, evil junkie role in the new film, “Alpha Dog” which recently debuted in its first screening and won kudos at The Sundance Film Festival and will be released nationally, shortly.
But landing a pivotal role in “X3”, and thus being a part of a blockbuster box office proven gorilla that prides itself with intelligent, brilliant, in depth, writing, acting, directing, character and story development, is many an actor’s dream come true, and Foster rightfully recognizes the impact his role as mutant, Archangel, may have on furthering his career in a major way.
Foster seems pleased as punch to have landed Archangel, telling VH1.com, that, “I just get to fly around all day. I think the fans are gonna be pleased.”
“X-Men” fans know Archangel, also by his given name, being Warren Worthington III.
Archangel/Warren, however, is a mutant, that like “X-Men’s, central, main, core character, the mutant Super Hero Wolverine/Logan, whose entire natural bone skeleton is covered in and encased by an indestructible metal alloy, Archangel also possesses super, extraordinary physical super powered characteristics, of which not all, come naturally.
Archangel suffered the amputation and loss of his own natural born wings, only to be given a set of new, artificial, metal ones, thus Angel, became, Archangel.
VH1.com, Foster, (and we), don’t want to spoil the plot, giving away too much. But it appears that in the case of Archangel, looks and names…may be deceiving.
Will Archangel prove a heaven sent Angel, or a Devil’s fallen Angel?
The plotline of “X3”, focuses on a so called “cure” for mutation, which is created, and thus, spurs the ultimate war between Professor Charles Xavier’s virtuous mutant “X-Men” who try to save the world from the evil mutant armies of Xavier’s fallen, former friend, turned evil incarnate, Magneto, who sees this “cure” as a way for the prejudiced intolerance of many humans to rid themselves of mutants’ natural born characteristics and “control” mutants within society.
Who and which side, will Archangel join forces with? Professor Xavier’s “X-Men” Super Heroes, or Magneto’s Super Villains?
We also hear that the resurrected Dr. Jean Grey, who sacrificed her life to save her “X-Men” friends in “X2”, may return in a newly morphed form, known to followers of the “X-Men” comic books as the “X-Men” character, Phoenix.
Like Archangel though, Jean’s former self, may, or may not return in its former, heroic, fighting on the side of good, form.
Can it be true? Will Jean, the pillar of selfless virtue, ally with…Magneto?
VH1.com excitedly asks Foster about Jean’s possible evil transformation, to which Foster replies, “I can’t say these things. I don’t believe in villains, just damaged people.”
Foster tells VH1.com that the majority of this 3rd “X-Men” film installment, the first one to be directed by Brett Ratner (the first two films were directed by Bryan Singer), is completed, but a few re-shoots still need to be done and says that “The first scenes that we’ve seen look spectacular”.
Do tell, Ben! Spectacular you say! Like we would Xpect anything less from anything having to do with the “X-Men” films!
Foster says that YES, he does do all his own stunt work, as so do actor, Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, and actress, Halle Berry as Storm and that the flying scenes are one of his favorite things about working in the role of Archangel.
Foster Xstatically tells VH1.com that, “My favorite action scene playing Angel was my first flying scene. The cool thing about this particular “X-Men” is that we’re doing our own stunts. So if you see Halle Berry flying through the air, or you see (Hugh Jackman), if you see him moving entirely too fast, or if you see me flying, that’s us doing it. We’re using some of the most cutting edge wire work available, so I was doing 80 foot drops headfirst, attached to basically just a jockstrap and a metal wire. Free-fall to fly”.
Foster also tells VH1.com that he is having such a blast (who wouldn’t!) working on “X3”, that if this 3rd film chapter proves successful and spawns yet more “X-Men” films, that you can count him in, if the filmmakers ask him to continue his role.
Like all of us, Foster says that the amazing, thoroughly detailed and fleshed out character driven writing, story, and yes, characters, of “X-Men”, have made this a career highlight for him that he will be happy to continue.
As Foster tells VH1.com, “I think the success and longevity of “X-Men” is the characters, and if they’re true to the comic book, this could go on for a very long time.”
We couldn’t agree with you more Ben and we too are more than waiting with baited breath and heightened anticipation to “X3”,which we just know will be positively Xtraordinary!
Source:
http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1523042/02022006/story.jhtml
Muse News And Micro Muse February 6, 2006
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 6, 2006
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