I’ve grown kind of numb to behind-the-scenes drama. I’ve seen movies that had no leaked drama turn out to be terrible and movies with lots of behind-the-scenes drama turn out to be good. It doesn’t really seem to indicate anything either way, but it makes for an interesting story. That’s why I wasn’t really movedwhen we reported last weekthat 50% ofThe New Mutantswas going to be reshot. For some, this signaled trouble, especially when paired with the movie getting delayed again, this time to summer 2019 when it was originally set to open next month. But these things happen, and nowThe Tracking Boardhas specified what’s going down with the film.
According to TTB, the original pitch forThe New Mutantswas straight horror, but when it came time to make the film, Fox was little reluctant, and had a whole squadron of writers tweaked the script to tone it down. The studio wanted a PG-13 movie that was more like a cross “between John Hughes and Stephen King”, and co-writer/directorJosh Boonewas a good soldier who agreed to that compromise. But then two important things happened:Itbecame worldwide hit at the box office, and people really dug the trailer that Fox cut whereThe New Mutantslooked like a straight-up horror movie.
TTB continues:
At that point, Fox decided that instead of doing the three days of additional filming required to complete the YA movie that everyone had initially agreed to go make, the studio would change course and make a new version of the movie that was straight-up horror, which was what Boone and Lee originally wanted to do in the first place. It’s a little like a diner sending back a meal at a restaurant — not because there was something wrong with it, but because they simply changed their minds and wanted to order a different entrée, or movie, in this case.
Additionally, Boone reportedly shot an end-credits scene ofJon Hammas baddie Mr. Sinister, but now that’s been cut.Antonio Banderasis now on board to play an unspecified villain (not Mr. Sinister). Additionally, early scripts included the mutant Warlock (a mutant who can assume any shape), but Fox deemed the character was too expensive.
So that’s where things currently stand withThe New Mutants. Does this mean it will be a good movie or a bad movie? No one knows! The drama behind the scenes doesn’t really indicate anything either way, but I’m glad that Fox has at least warmed to letting Boone make a movie that’s in line with his original vision.
The New Mutantsopens June 11, 2025.
