Previews
X-MEN: HELLFIRE CLUB #1 - [of 4] - They've existed for centuries, a cabal of power brokers bent on world domination. The beginnings of this evil entourage have been shrouded in secrecy until now. Delve into the pasts of The Shaws, The Worthingtons, The Braddocks, The Harknesses and The Greys. Featuring guest appearances by the 17th century Sorcerer Supreme, Captain America of 1776, WWI's Union Jack and The X-Men.
UNCANNY X-MEN #376 - The Twelve part 1. For years, you've wondered at the true identities of this mysterious group, the group that is destined to destroy Apocalypse. Now, with the discovery of the Prophecies of Destiny, The Twelve are at last revealed, but what does this mean for the Children Of The Atom? Continues in Cable #75.
CABLE #75 - The Twelve-part 2, continued from Uncanny X-Men #376. The one called En Sabah Nur has watched and manipulated events that will ensure his ultimate ascension. One by one, the prophecies and portents have been fulfilled. Now, he has his greatest enemy at his mercy. 48 pp. Continues in X-Men #96.
X-MEN #96 - The Twelve part 3, continued from Cable #75. While The X-Men grapple with what exactly The Twelve are, and what they're supposed to do, The Horsemen hunt down the members of the enigmatic group one by one. Continues in Wolverine #146.
WOLVERINE #146 - The Twelve part 4, continued from X-Men #96. Wolverine's been taken by The Horsemen, but can Archangel, Jubilee, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat bring him back?
News, Rumors and Lies
From Trailer Park at Another Universe:
"Who is Tyler Mane?
That's been the question X-Men fans have been asking following the casting of Mane as Sabretooth.
Mane is a 6-foot-10, 275-pounder who wrestled professionally for 11-1/2 years, including stints in the WCW as "Big Sky," Kevin Nash's tag-teammate, and as MGM Grand champion in the now-defunct UWF.
As far as previous acting credits go, Mane appeared in The Bandit portion of Universal's syndicated Action Pack television project and in the feature film Star Fighter. He recently received strong reviews for his leading role in the San Diego Repertory production of Turbo Tanzi, a wrestling musical.
So, how did Mane become involved in X-Men?
"They were originally calling me for some of the stunts and they saw my look and saw that I was the only one for Sabretooth," Mane said. "And that's how that developed."
Although his size and blonde hair - Mane said he's also growing Sabretooth's sideburns - make him tailor-made to play Sabretooth, Mane said, until recently, he didn't know a whole lot about the character.
"The way I knew about the X-Men is that my little boy likes watching (the animated series). So I knew a little bit about it," Mane said. "But since I became involved in the X-Men, I went out and got all the Sabretooth and the X-Men comics, and I've done quite a bit of research, shall I say, on Sabretooth.
"I didn't even know Sabretooth had his own comic out. I read quite a few of the Sabretooth comics and quite a few of the X-Men with Sabretooth in them. They're pretty interesting."
And what's his take on the character?
"I think he's my kind of guy," Mane said. "He doesn't take any crap and that's the only way to be. And there's nothing like those mutant healing powers, huh?
"Sabretooth is a physical guy, isn't he? He's not known for long speeches, is he? He's more of a slicer and dicer."
Mane said he thinks director Bryan Singer will deliver the goods in bringing X-Men, tentatively targeted for Christmas 2000, to the big screen. "He seems to know what he's wanting to do, and he seems like the guy that can get it done," Mane said.
"It's very exciting. I'm going to be the biggest, baddest Sabretooth that people have ever seen."
Mane, also a martial artist, has studied acting, but already considers himself a seasoned performer.
"As you know, the professional wrestling is a great background," he said. "And it is definitely on the toughest stage. It's on a four-sided stage, which is very tough to perform on." Mane's wrestling career has taken him all over the world, including Europe, Mexico and South Africa. Now he's headed back to his native Canada, Toronto specifically, this September to film X-Men.
"I've got two little ones now," he said. "And when you're wrestling, you're on the road for 300-plus days a year. It's very hard on the family life and after 11-1/2 years, I wanted a little break." "
However, many of the actors have been cast! Here's the run down:
Professor Xavier - Patrick Stewart (Y'know that guy who had some sort of space show... what was it called again?)
Magneto - Sir Ian McKellen
Rogue - Anna Paquin (She won an Academy award for her role in the Piano!)
Sabretooth - Tyler Mane (A 6' 10" ex-wrestler!)
Cyclops, Phoenix, and Storm have yet to be cast but supposedly they will be soon. Rumor also has it that an Iceman created by special effects will be hidden in a secret room in the mansion and revealed to Rogue at some point during the movie. A possible appearance by Gambit might be made somewhere towards the end of the movie too.
Can you believe this is actually happening? I sure can't (especially with a cast who can really act!)!