Director Bryan Singer has provided his Instagram followers with an update on the forthcoming X-Men: Apocalypse, by way of a video clip taken during an action sequence pick-up shot.
The scene seems to depict several individuals on a boat in what would appear to be a violent storm, but there will clearly be much more to it once it is inserted into the final cut of the highly anticipated film.
Pick-up shots are not an unusual practice in the realm of big budget, high profile studio movies. Distinct from re-shoots – which can sometimes be a sign of significant production problems – pick-up shots are relatively small, additional segments that are designed to augment the footage already shot. The need for them usually becomes clear during the editing process, as the final cut of the film is assembled, and they are often implemented to improve narrative flow and pacing, rather than fix major problems.
This video clip does give two fascinating insights into X-Men: Apocalypse, though. Firstly, a clear view of the kind of activity that goes into these type of action sequences, and secondly, Singer’s tease of “something else” happening at this point in the story.
X-Men: Apocalypse is now just three months away from its release, with the movie due to arrive in cinemas on May 27th, 2016.
“Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-Men: Apocalypse, opening in theaters everywhere May 27, 2016. Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.”
