Art of X-Men The Last Stand

Book excerpt: This lavishly illustrated filmbook boasts more than 360 illustrations, including striking movie stills and unique set designs, concept drawings, costume sketches, and storyboards, appearing exclusively in this edition. Beginning with an introduction by director Brett Ratner, text includes commentary about the production of the movie, along with an original history of the X-Men by Peter Sanderson, the comics historian and author of X-Men: The Ultimate Guide, illustrated with archival Marvel comic-book art. In X-Men: The Last Stand, a "cure" for mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who preaches tolerance, and Magneto (Ian McKellen), who believes in the survival of the fittest, are put to the ultimate test -- triggering the war to end all wars. The old cast returns, including Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Halle Berry as Storm, along with newcomers Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut, and Ben Foster as Angel.