X-Men 2 - Interviews

X-Men 2 Press Conference

X2 is that rarest of rarities - a sequel that is actually bigger and better than the original. The fact that eleven of the cast have turned up in London to promote the film is testament to this fact, and the easy chemistry and jokes between them confirm that this must have been one happy set.

Much of the humour emanates from the Brit Pack - the quartet of Alan Cumming and Brian Cox - both new to the franchise - as well as the easy charm of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. But it wasn't just a jolly boys' outing and Cox is quick to point out the international make-up of the cast. "Anna (Paquin) is from New Zealand, Famke (Janssen) is Dutch, Rebecca (Romijn-Stamos) is sort of Dutch so the Yanks were in a minority."

Because of the complexities of the six month shoot not all of the actors actually spent that much time together - Cumming for example spent six weeks on his own filming the opening sequence. Tiscali asked Cox how difficult it was to retain his sense of character given that there was so much going on around him and the shoot would have been so different to the smaller dramatic pieces we are more used to seeing him in. "It's a kind of rollercoaster, this thing, with highs and lows" says the Scottish star. "There is a lot of pressure, and a lot things happen on the day to make it different from when your started it. There are script changes all the time so you have to keep your head around you. You have to keep hold of who you are very tightly. And there's temperament flying around, quite a bit in fact, but it's all part of the creative process. But it's definitely tough at times".

Hugh Jackman is charm personified as he breezes into the room clasping a margherita (it's just past noon), and offering to buy the assembled press a drink. With newly-grown hair and an easy smile he looks at least ten years younger than his screen self, and he clearly revels in the presence of Stewart and McKellen. Maybe it's the Australian/English shared sense of humour, but it's readily apparent that these three enjoy each other's company. Unusually for a press conference Jackman also happily stays behind to sign autographs when it is all over.

Having such a famous alter-ego in his Star Trek personification, Patrick Stewart was surprisingly unaware of the popularity of The X-Men. "When it was first suggested, I actually thought they were talking about The X-Files," he says. Jackman also admits he thought it was a biopic of a local Australian band with the same name.

They are clearly proud of the work put into the second film' "I think it's a darker, edgier film," says Jackman "but also a much funnier one".

Mckellen takes up the theme of how the films deal with those outcast by society. "I know from the gay community in this country that the argument of dealing with outsiders is a very crucial one."

There is much talk of another sequel: and with the positive critical reception to the second part it seems inevitable the number three will be rolling before too long. Cumming frets about going back to the make-up chair - he spent six hours a day turning into the Nightcrawler. Stewart is more forthcoming, admitting that it all depends on the economics, but is frank enough to say that if anyone is secure for a third part it is likely to be himself, McKellen and Jackman.