Movie and comic book fans alike have been waiting for years to see the X-Men cast of characters appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Radical rumors fly through the internet like Rogue through the clouds, while opinions as sharp as Wolverine’s adamantium claws face of against each other in a “Berserker Barrage” of speculation. With the promise of continuity shattering crossovers set to blow our minds in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, perhaps the dreams of mutant loving movie-goers everywhere will soon become reality. But before Hollywood decided to pump millions into fanboy fantasy scenarios, there was another group of creative minds delivering on ideas previously discussed only in the back of comic book stores.
Fan Films have been around for decades and are a genre fueled completely by passion and a desire to see adaptations of characters and stories in a way the big studios wouldn’t dare. Privately funded team-ups between Batman and Superman, Batman and The Predator, Batman and…well, Batman seems to be a very popular subject for fan films, but Marvel characters like Spider-Man and She-Hulk had fan made indie films/series long before Kevin Feige got his hands on the characters.
Getting back to the X-Men, a filmmaker named Keith Sutliff has decided to give the field leader of the team from Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters his due in the world of live action, with CYCLOPS CHRONICLES: The Story of Scott Summers. This fan-series focuses on the solo adventures of the crimson eye-blast shooting mutant.
CYCLOPS CHRONICLES: The Story of Scott Summers is an unofficial, unauthorized fan-based series based on the Marvel comics character and we got a chance to talk to the man who is writing, producing and starring in these adventures, which will be streaming on various platforms for FREE this Spring.
PopGeeks: What came first, your love of X-Men comics or your love of the X-Men films?
Keith Sutliff: X-Men comics!
PG: Is CYCLOPS CHRONICLES influenced by a particular story in the X-Men comics series or is it your own personal interpretation of that universe?
KS: Both! Half and half. We wanted to make it more a depiction of the tough and rugged comic book version of Scott Summers as the fierce leader of the X-Men group, but also throw our own spin into it. Kind of like how the new Joker in 2019 with Joaquin Phoenix was a totally different version then previous films and also any comic book.
PG: What made you want to give Cyclops center stage in a series?
KS: This has never been done before with any fan film or series. Also it has never been done before by any studio.
PG: How would you compare your portrayal of Scott Summers to previous live action depictions in the 20th Century Fox series of films?
KS: This depiction is more based on the tough, rugged version you see in the comic books and also based on our own interpretation of the character.
PG: CYCLOPS CHRONICLES definitely has a serious atmosphere to it. Would you consider this series like Logan for the Cyclops character?
KS: Yes, kinda sorta. It is its own series of episodes of Scott Summers and his story overall.
PG: Will you be featuring other actors playing characters of the X-Men universe in future episodes?
KS: Yes.
PG: Were you inspired by any other fan film projects that caused you to pursue creating your own?
KS: Well, yes. There have been a ton of Star Wars fan films and X-Men: Origins stories of other characters which are a huge hit on YouTube. But this one has not been done yet ever. People have been wanting to see it.
PG: What do you hope to add to the X-Men mythos as the series progresses?
KS: The back story of Scott Summers and how he became the leader he is for the X-Men.
PG: You have a DeLorean featured prominently in many of your film projects. Is that your personal vehicle? How much fun is that to drive around town?
KS: Yes. It is awesome driving around town.
PG: Who would win in a showdown: your Cyclops or Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine?
KS: I would say Scott Summers. Just based on the comic book version this guy is super tough and strong. Optic blast from the eyes would keep Wolverine at bay.
By way of review of the available footage, CYCLOPS CHRONICLES: The Story of Scott Summers definitely has a slick production, worthy of any big budget Marvel film or streaming series. Themes of isolation and struggling with his mutant identity provide some intrigue, as the Summers character admits to seeking out a cure for his “disease”. This is definitely a story being taken seriously by the production team, promising to deliver the gravitas and angst associated with classic X-Men stories. If you’ve never been a Cyclops fan based on the performances of James Marsden or Tye Sheridan in the live action movies, this may be a new take that causes your appreciation of the character to grow.
CYCLOPS CHRONICLES: The Story of Scott Summers is written, produced and directed by Keith Sutliff, with cinematography by Errol Webber Jr. The series will be released episodically throughout 2022 to amplify your Marvel themed excitement. You can view a preview clip of Cyclops Chronicles on YouTube now to give you a taste of things to come. Keep watching for more updates online as episodes become available.
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This one has my support because, while fan-made films may be low-budget, they have more heart than MCU films.
There’s something fulfilling about witnessing a work created by someone who cares about the franchise rather than a money grab that’s more concerned with the casual demographics.
Take a look at how many freedoms the X-Men flicks by Bryan Singer take.
I recall a fan-made Street Fighter film that was superior to the official films produced by major studios. The man they cast as Scott looks Good enough to be on screen.
Great Diversion While Waiting for the Return of the Uncanny X-Men on Disney Plus or the Debut of the X-Men in the MCU.I want individual X-men members to be introduced as solo movies before we get this crossover, even if it is an X-men film. Admire the heart of the makers of this Fan Film because they do it out of Passion.
Finally a Movie where Scott have no Logan to outshine him. Dude deserves to have his own solo film.
This is fantastic.
Keep going!!!
Someone should give budget to these fans because they can make a better movie than the big wig producers.
I don’t remember Scott having a Military Haircut but it is something Marvel should try to adapt.
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Someone should give budget to these fans because they can make a better movie than the big wig producers.
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I never liked the Bryan Singer X-men films because he took too many liberties and ruined the origins of characters. This fan film has more respect for the comics written by Stan Lee.