Bryan Singershowed off some movie magic from the set ofX-Men: Apocalypseearlier today with a new photo that featuresAlexandra ShippasStorm. The top half of the photo shows the actress on a Montreal soundstage, while the bottom half of the image features a monitor where we see Storm looking out over the desolate landscape of Cairo, with the massive Egyptian pyramids seen in the background. The director revealed on hisInstagrampage that this real-time shot was made possible through technology known as SimulCam.
SimulCam was developed by directorJames Cameronfor his record-breaking blockbusterAvatar, which allows filmmakers to see CGI-created backdrops used in real time on the set, while shooting in front of a green screen. Before SimulCam was developed, filmmakers likeBryan Singerwouldn’t be able to see these CGI elements integrated into the shot until the post-production process. But now he can see how the actor looks against this backdrop during principal photography. It may not be exactly what the final shot will look like when thesuperhero moviehits theaters next May, but it at least gives the filmmaker an idea of what the shot could look like.
X-Men: Apocalypsecenters on the villainous title character (Oscar Isaac), who goes on a mission to assemble hisFour Horsemen. Storm is one of these Horsemen, who Apocalypse found in her hometown of Cairo, along withBen Hardy’s Archangel,Olivia Munn’s Psylocke andMichael Fassbender’s Magneto, who has been living a secluded life in Poland for the past 10 years, following the events ofX-Men: Days of Future Past. After Xavier (James McAvoy) and Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) discover Apocalypse’s plans, they put together a team of young mutants such as Jubilee (Lana Condor), Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), Cyclops (Tye Sheridan) and Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to fight the ancient bad guy.
Also returning fromX-Men: First ClassandX-Men: Days of Future PastisNicholas Hoult(Beast),Lucas Till(Havok),Evan Peters(Quicksilver) andRose Byrne(Moira McTaggert). It has been rumored thatHugh Jackmanmay pop up as Wolverine, after the actor’s cryptic conversation withBryan SingeratComic-Conlast month. The actor has appeared in everyX-Menmovie to date, so it’s certainly possible that he could have a brief appearance inX-Men: Apocalypse, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Bryan Singeris directing from a script bySimon Kinberg. The director also recently confirmed that 20th Century Fox is planning a crossover movie between theX-MenandFantastic Fourfranchises, but nothing is set in stone at this time. While we wait for more details on this highly-anticipated superhero movie, check out the latest photo from theX-Men: Apocalypseset in Montreal.
