The intricate world of Hollywood has long been synonymous with glitz, glamour, and, at times, controversy. The recent disclosure involving Fox executives providing Halle Berry with a fake script to secure her return in “X-Men: The Last Stand” not only casts a fresh shadow on Fox’s track record of questionable tactics but also suggests that its proclivity for deceptive practices extends beyond the realm of politics.
During a panel at New York Comic Con, Vaughn disclosed that Fox executives presented Berry with a fake script, specifically tailored to her character Storm. This script, which Vaughn stumbled upon during his tenure, contained an elaborate sequence at the start of the film that depicted Storm saving children in Africa by creating a thunderstorm. The intention was to appeal to Berry’s interests and preferences, creating a narrative that would entice her to sign on for the project.
“I grabbed it, and opened the first page, and it said, “Africa. Kids dying from no water, and Storm creates a thunderstorm to save all these children” – I thought it was a pretty cool idea,’ Vaughn told the audience.
“I said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is the Halle Berry script, because she hasn’t signed on yet. This is what she wants it to be. And once she signs on, we’ll throw it in the bin.'”
Upon discovering this ruse, Vaughn, who had taken over the director’s chair from Bryan Singer, felt compelled to step away from the project. The director expressed his dismay at the deception, stating, “I thought, if you’re going to do that to an Oscar-winning actress who plays Storm, I quit. I thought I’m mincemeat.”
Fox studios, known for its extensive reach in both news and entertainment, has faced accusations of bias and manipulation in its reporting on political events. The recent revelation adds a cinematic dimension to this narrative, suggesting that the culture of deception might extend beyond the newsroom to the very scripts that shape the stories we see on screen.
Despite Vaughn’s departure, “X-Men: The Last Stand” went on to become a financial success, earning $234 million in domestic box office and $460 million worldwide. Brett Ratner ultimately directed the film, and Berry, despite the deceptive tactics, eventually signed on to join an ensemble cast that included Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, and others.
Matthew Vaughn’s decision to leave the project highlights the political and unpredictable nature of Hollywood. The industry’s quest for star power and box office success sometimes leads to unconventional strategies, as evidenced by the attempt to lure Halle Berry back into the X-Men franchise.
While the deceptive script didn’t materialize on screen, Halle Berry would later return to the X-Men universe with 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” Moreover, her collaboration with Matthew Vaughn continued with “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” in 2017, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of actors and directors within the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.
The saga of Halle Berry’s fake script for “X-Men: The Last Stand” offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate negotiations and behind-the-scenes tactics employed by Fox Studios to secure star talent.
