I know I’m a little bit early with this dig on Brett Ratner considering that X-Men 3 doesn’t come out on DVD for another week, but I wanted to take my pot-shot early since the story referenced in the comic went up late last week and I want it to be somewhat fresh.

Brett Ratner has an uncanny ability to say exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. Fans of the X-Men franchise already viewed Ratner’s involvement in the second sequel to be a bad omen. Despite the boffo box office, they’re fears came true. I don’t know anyone who sat through that movie and said they enjoyed it.

While it was prudent of previous X-Men director Bryan Signer to advise Ratner not to pay attention to what’s being said about him on the internet, his quote in the MTV article makes it sound like the only person he was out there making a movie for was himself. This isn’t Citzen Kane, Brett! For you to ignore all of the character development laid out before you was supremely foolish. Killing off characters was salt in the wound. Now VERIFYING what fandom has been saying about you all along – that you didn’t care what anyone else wanted? Good luck getting any applause at comic book conventions after your career completely stalls.

Do I think the director is completely beholden to the audiences expectations when making a movie? No. Of course not. Do I think Ratner could have shown a little more tact? Probably. I just have a serious grudge against the guy. Anyone who doesn’t take the fans seriously deserves to be smacked around a little. Because it sure as hell isn’t middle-America that’s making these movies popular. It’s the people who have had their hearts and souls invested in these characters DECADES before Hollywood came calling.

I’ve mentioned this about a dozen times already, so I’ll keep it brief today. We’re closing in on our sales drive goal. Don’t forget that "Theater Hopper: Year Two" is available for pre-order. I could really use your help on this one, guys! Be sure to spread the word!