Today’s X3 special focuses on the second major addition to the X-Men, Angel, played by Ben Foster. Fan-favourite Angel is one of the original X-Men, having made his first appearance in Stan Lee’s and Jack Kirby’s X-Men #1 comic in 1963. After making guest appearances on several television shows, Ben Foster is working on his acting breakthrough following a recurring role on the HBO series Six Feet Under and roles in 11:14, The Punisher, Hostage and now X-Men: The Last Stand.

Ben Foster (Warren Worthington III/Angel)

…on his role
I play Warren Worthington III - Angel. He is the son of a very wealthy entrepreneur who, with full understanding from his son, has spent a lot of time, money and effort investing in the creation of the cure for mutancy.

…on Warren’s conflict
When we meet Warren Worthington III, he’s coming into conflict with himself, not so much his father, but as a metaphor of many metaphors within the legacy of X-Men. These are human beings with extraordinary capabilities, and coming into conflict with those. So Warren’s conflict is a beautiful one which is having to decide what kind of life he wishes to live, and how truthfully he can live that. And in this particular issue, it’s hard for him to live in society with giant wings on his back - it’s hard to fit in. So when we meet him he is looking to make his life easier.

…on the connection between the audience and the characters
The backstory that is implied is that it has not been an easy life with this disfigurement, although aesthetically angel wings may be considered beautiful to some - it certainly makes you stick out. And I think as a young person you would like to fit in, you want to be liked, you want to be like everyone else. And I think that has to do with the success of the series of X-Men, that we all as human beings feel different, we all feel that we don’t fit in, we all feel we’re not good-looking enough, we’re not smart enough - we’re just not enough. And we wish that we were part of the group. But the wonderful thing - the ideal element, I believe, or the inspiring element, at least for myself, about the series, being a fan of it - has been that these are individuals who come into collision with themselves, and have to fight for who they are, as difficult and as challenging as that can be.

…on the popularity of superheroes
I looked at the X-Men legacy as an absolute honor to be a part of. The X-Men series, the X-Men legacy is as close to any mythology we have. There have always been superheroes. This is not new. I’ve been asked many times, “Why do you think superhero movies are doing so well right now? Why are they so popular?” And I think they’ve always been popular. There have been the Roman gods, the Hindu gods. These are all very real, with human characteristics. These are sexual beings. These are damaged human beings who also have amazing capabilities, like all of us. Like all of us! We’re all really amzaing, and we’re all profoundly damaged. And we’re all trying to connect and contend with our differences.

…on the wings
Getting up at four-in-the-morning to get wings glued to my back was not the most rewarding way to wake up. Seven o’clock rolls around after they’re on - you’re walking different! You can’t help it. You put on pyjamas, you’re going to feel like you have pyjamas on. You put on a tuxedo, “You know, I have a tuxedo on.” You have wings on, “Yep! Yeah, I can fly!” That’s great! That’s a good morning.

…on the deeper meaning of X-Men
I’d say that being a mutant and then the development of a cure for mutancy can be taken for whatever metaphor one wishes to take it. It is not specific, in my opinion. I know that the first X-Men was related to civil rights to some degree. The second one, it was no secret, Bryan Singer discussed it as a film about coming out. And I believe this one, The Last Stand, is dealing with the responsibility of accepting yourself.

Be sure to check back daily to find out what the likes of Kelsey Grammer (Beast), James Marsden (Cyclops), Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and director Brett Ratner have to share about X-Men 3.

Official film synopsis: In X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, the final chapter in the “X-Men” motion picture trilogy, a “cure” for mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier, who preaches tolerance, and Magneto, who believes in the survival of the fittest, are put to the ultimate test - triggering the war to end all wars.

Posted in Commentary, Movies •