Let’s talk about X-Men for a minute.  The first two films are partially responsible for popularity of the superhero movie.  They were huge blockbusters with recognizable characters, famous actors, and decent storylines to boot.  Then there was the disastrous X-Men: The Last Stand that left the franchise with a bitter taste in the mouths of the audience.  Last year, X-Men Origins: Wolverine highlighted arguably the most recognizable X-Man, but, even with the help of some famous faces, didn’t connect.  There are talks of the same for Magneto, which is really whatever, but now there is X-Men: First Class, which seems to have much more potential than previously assumed.

This comes on the news that Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) could possibly play Emma Frost in but another origin story.  Eve is both gorgeous and a rising star like many others in the cast.  James McAvoy is already pretty established, seeing as he is both critically (Atonement) and financially (Wanted) acclaimed.  Michael Fassbender turned heads in Inglorious Basterds and is set to play Magneto.  Amber Heard could possibly play Mystique, and Benjamin Walker (who I am less familiar with) will play Beast.

This cast of up and comers gets me excited.  Save one, I’ve seen these guys and girls at work, and without a clear star, it could give the movie a more natural ensemble feel without sacrificing story (I’m looking at you Last Stand…) The reason I feel confident?  Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn is at the helm. Given he is a reasonably young director in terms of number of films, but Kick-Ass felt fresh, something that superhero movies have been longing.  Also, he turned two unknowns into a couple of the most interesting and complex characters this year.  (Chloe Moretz has to win the award for most adorable superhero ever to drop the “C” bomb, am I right?)

What I’m trying to say is maybe it’s time for a new breed of X-Men.  A new breed of superhero movie making.  While some could say this movie is safe, I have to disagree.  There is no Hugh Jackman or Halle Berry to carry this film.  If anything else, this movie has something to prove; it has to make audiences appreciate the franchise that have left many disappointed.  So I’m asking you: Mr. Vaughn please do this movie justice.  Bring the emotional depth that was abandoned, and I promise I will see your movie.  I’ll see it twice.  Three times even.

What do you guys think?  Does X-Men: First Class have a chance or is it doomed for failure?