James Mangold Hopes Logan Inspires More Experimentation In Comic Book Movies

03/06/2017 09:00 am EST

Logan is a hit. In its first weekend at the box office, the R-rated film hauled in an estimated $85 million. This success paired with that of 2016's Deadpool might lead fans to suspect 20th Century Fox of having more R-rated Marvel Comics-based movies on the way.

Though it is true the studio will follow up these success with more R-rated films, such as Deadpool 2 and possibly the still untitled X-Force or New Mutants movies, Logan's director has something specific in mind for the future films. Rather than seeing films made based on their ratings, James Mangold hopes to see continued encouragement with experimentation and risks.

ComicBook.com caught up with Mangold to hear his perspective of what Logan's impact on future comic book movies should be. Here's what he had to say...

"Honestly, what I'd love this movie to open the door for is continued experimentation. Not someone saying, "This is what must be done every time." The film makers are allowed to take on these projects and instead of making a movie that can be cut seamlessly to the last movie and no one will see the difference, that the film makers and the actors are allowed to express themselves. I think where things have gotten a bit stale the last five or six years is everyone movies somehow need to look the same. And partly, it's not just the studios, the fans and even the press, have created this cottage industry around busting anyone who does anything different... If you were in the restaurant business and you busted everyone every time they cooked a scallop or a steak or a piece of asparagus differently than the last guy, you would stop having good food, real soon.

I sometimes think about, if someone says, "Go ahead and sleep in this bed but don't movie the pillow and don't move the covers that you don't even dream. You don't fall asleep. You don't dream.

The reality is that people need to make a decision whether they want a TV show, The world's most expensive TV show and star directors and actors to come in and be part of this TV show or whether they want people to extend themselves. Take risks every picture and see how different directors and actors interpreting these iconic roles that are a part of our culture change with different voices. And I think that for too long... If there was anything I hope we'd be like part of changing would be just saying, 'Shake it up. Let go.' And that example was created even in the comic book world. New artists would from would come on, from Frank Miller to Jim Krueger to the Neil Gaiman to on and on it goes.

That artist would change and the sagas would change and the looks would change and the uniforms and costume would change. And the back stories would get altered. Lois Lane seemed perpetually 30 years old for 58 years and it didn't bother anyone. That people loved living in different interpretations of this world and somehow this idea of creating an impenetrably perfect universe got created and valued to the extent of every thing else. To the expense of everything else. And I think that if we were of any influence I don't think it should be that just every movie should be rated R. It's that every movie should be whatever way that particular story and characters. Create an interesting dream for the film makers and actors involved.

While Logan could not have packed the violence, language, and nudity into its 141 minute run time without an R-rating, Mangold does not think those are the sole elements which have people interested in his film. Instead, he sees the originality of those elements and how they work well in this instance culminating for a refreshing and exciting movie going experience.

Logan is now playing in theaters.

Did you enjoy the movie that's currently our #2 Ranked Film based on composite reviews? Let us know with your vote in our Movie Database below!

MORE LOGAN NEWS:
·Screenwriter Explains Logan's Surprise Villain
·Surprise X-Force Character Debut
·Classic X-Men Villain Easter Egg

In Logan, in the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

Logan is directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Frank and Michael Green, from a story by Mangold, and also stars Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant and Dafne Keen.

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