Yahoo_Host1: James Marsden, Cyclops, from X-Men the movie is here!
james_marsden_live: Hello everyone! Sorry I'm late.
james_marsden_live: Thanks for waiting.

phantom_prowler asks: Hi James! Everyone at my X-Men Movie club here at Yahoo think you rule as Cyclops and you will rock as a superhero! You Rule man! Troy, WI
james_marsden_live: Before seeing the movie, or after?
james_marsden_live: :)
james_marsden_live: I'm very flattered. I was a bit nervous about taking the role, since there was some debate about my age and height.
james_marsden_live: But I've seen the movie, and ....
james_marsden_live: it completely and totally works!
james_marsden_live: I couldn't be more proud of the movie.
james_marsden_live: Thanks for the compliment!

roguequeenofhearts asks: James I think you are great as Cyclops, how was it working with Bryan Singer?
james_marsden_live: Bryan was the main reason I signed on to the film.
james_marsden_live: I thought his approach to this kind of comic book movie was ingenious and very different than what's been attempted before.
james_marsden_live: To make it very grounded in reality as a comic book.
james_marsden_live: He's a genius director.
james_marsden_live: I could only hope and pray he's signed on to do the sequel.

madskillswills asks: Did you read the X-Men comic books as a kid?
james_marsden_live: I wasn't familiar with them.
james_marsden_live: I never read them. I played the video game though.
james_marsden_live: I was a bit familiar, but I don't think any of us knew the comic before hand.
james_marsden_live: I could only hope so.
Yahoo_Host1: Do you think Cyclops should have his own movie someday?
james_marsden_live: I could only hope so. The problem we ran into is that there's like 40 years of history for these characters. There's so much character and story to deal with.....
james_marsden_live: you could really take ANY character and create a film about them.
james_marsden_live: That would be nice! To make one of the sequels all about Cyclops.
james_marsden_live: We'll have to see how this one does...

Tomcat_Coder asks: Since there's clearly no real-life examples to learn from as regards how to act if you're a mutant with superpowers, what method did you use to get in-character?
james_marsden_live: There were times when...well...there's a scene where Jean is slimed. And she's encrusted with slime, and I have to try and pull it off.
james_marsden_live: Bryan and I talked about it, and he said, "Well, just act like you normally would...", and I said, "You mean when my fiancŽe has slime on her face?"
james_marsden_live: :)
james_marsden_live: One of the reasons I liked this, was because it was very grounded in human characters and reality.
james_marsden_live: I just tried to play this character as real and as human as possible....and let the guys at ILM put the big blasts from my eyes in Post Production.

pikaflu2000 asks: Question, how tight was the visor in the movie when you wore it?
james_marsden_live: They gradually created a few more that were more comfortable, but didn't stay on my face too easily.
james_marsden_live: We had to use adhesive tape on the nose piece.
james_marsden_live: It was comfortable though.
james_marsden_live: They used a computer graph of my face, and molded it to me based on that.
james_marsden_live: The uncomfortable part was losing about 70% of my peripheral vision.

johnnyjos asks: So when is Professor X going to invent some Contact Lenses for Cyclops? I mean, Oakley lookalikes are cool and all, but Cyclops isn't really a snowboarder, is he?
james_marsden_live: There was actually a very early conversation early from Bryan about that.
james_marsden_live: We wanted to stay true to the comic, so did the visors AND the ruby Red lenses.
james_marsden_live: They actually worked and I convinced Bryan to keep the glasses.
james_marsden_live: The visor is triggered by an aperture on the side. Manually. But Contact Lenses wouldn't do that.
james_marsden_live: I don't know how he could control them with contacts. But interesting.
james_marsden_live: I wanted to please the fans. So we went with the visor and the lenses.
james_marsden_live: The fans know best.

darkkurloc asks: what did everything look like when you had the visor and glasses on?
james_marsden_live: very pinkish red
james_marsden_live: I couldn't see much really.
james_marsden_live: There's just one red slit I could see out of, so if I was afraid I was going to trip, I'd have to point my head at the ground.
james_marsden_live: But there was another visor used for Visual Effects that made me 100% blind.

vigilante1le asks: Are you ready for the attention you're about to receive for this movie?
james_marsden_live: LOL
james_marsden_live: I hope so.
james_marsden_live: if I get attention, it's because the movie is doing well and being well received. Being a celebrity hasn't been a nuisance to me so far. It's been fun.
james_marsden_live: But ask me that question in a couple months, and I could answer it completely differently!

crimson_fury_1 asks: How was it like working with Patrick Stewart, what's your impression of his performance on the set?
james_marsden_live: I was excited to work with him!
james_marsden_live: One of the most exciting things for me is that if you're lucky, you get to be on the screen with people you grew up watching as a kid.
james_marsden_live: There I was, swapping lines with Patrick Stewart.
james_marsden_live: For a second, I was a little nervous. But he's the kindest and most disarming and classiest person I've ever worked with.... and he's got the amazing voice. I could sit and watch him read the phonebook for hours.
james_marsden_live: He's brilliant. I just saw his play last night in New York.

da_real_xman asks: James, I think that you will be an awesome Cyclops. My question is, would you return for a sequel? (or two or three)
james_marsden_live: I'm signed on for one more sequel in my contract.
james_marsden_live: That was done before we shot. But right now, they may be looking for a few more commitments.
james_marsden_live: But if it goes for 2-3 more, I'd be happy to do it!
james_marsden_live: As long as they want ME doing the sequels, I'll be there!

caseyinthefaculty asks: Do you think the X-Men film will be popular with people you aren't comic fans?
james_marsden_live: Totally.
james_marsden_live: I knew Bryan would make a film catering to the fans. I was worried that people who weren't familiar wouldn't quite follow the plot, or get the storyline.
james_marsden_live: but the film that Bryan created is a movie anyone can go see.
james_marsden_live: My entire family saw it the other day, and they know nothing about the X-Men, and though they're a bit biased.... they understood it.
james_marsden_live: It's a great movie, in addition to being historically true to the comics.
james_marsden_live: It's a real movie, with real characters, and a real plotline, regardless of if you know the comic.

redd_dayspring asks: From watching the TV commercials and online trailers, it seems that you and Hugh Jackman have captured that tension and strained animosity in Cyclops' and Wolverine's relationship with each other. How was it to work with him and Famke Janssen?
james_marsden_live: It was wonderful working with them both.
james_marsden_live: 6 months of very tedious work in the winter of Toronto
james_marsden_live: If it weren't for the cast, I would have been unhappy.
james_marsden_live: Not to sound ungrateful, because the movie was excellent as an experience...
james_marsden_live: but working with Hugh...every couple of years I work with someone I think I shouldn't lose touch with. He' a kind man and we all had a great time together on the set.
james_marsden_live: It was fun. I was a bit insecure, because both of them are a bit older than me, and to capture the essence of the tension and the dissonance between Cyclops and Wolverine....I was worried we'd get it cause of the age difference.
james_marsden_live: But some of the online reviews say that's one of the highlights of the film.

BaByGrl358 asks: hey James, how do you feel about having your own toy
james_marsden_live: it's a bit surreal, especially nowadays that they have the Tech to make them REALLY resemble you.
james_marsden_live: I'm happy with mine though!
james_marsden_live: my action figure has a nicer backend than I do in real life.
james_marsden_live: But it's cool
james_marsden_live: It looks like me, and some of the cast don't really think they look like their action figures.
james_marsden_live: But for me... I used to play with action figures anyway. Star Wars and what not. So that's my criteria of having "made it" in Hollywood.
james_marsden_live: It's very exciting.

dark_wicked_stranger asks: Is there even a hint of Cyclops having a brother in the movie?
james_marsden_live: Not to my knowledge. I'm sure there will be people out there analyzing the film and be able to create that from it.
james_marsden_live: Who knows.?

gatsbygurl asks: How did you get started in acting?

Wed Jul 12 12:35:18 2000
james_marsden_live: I packed up my bags and moved from Oklahoma to move to LA. I already had a manager from my father who was friends with a casting director who knew a guy who was legitimate.
james_marsden_live: He did my father a favor and represented me.
james_marsden_live: I had some work soon as I arrived, getting paid to act. And that's what counts when you move from Oklahoma to LA.

versa_fx asks: To date, what has been your favorite role to portray, either in the movies or TV?
james_marsden_live: Every time I answer it, it's always the most recent movie.
james_marsden_live: To me, I think Cyclops is....
james_marsden_live: to play a character of this "icon" quality... it's not only fulfilling a childhood fantasy, but I think it was the perfect career move for me. As much as I'd like to think I got into acting for Real "actor driven character roles", it's movies like Star Wars and Alien and Close Encounters....very fantasy things...that are the real reason I got into it.

vigilante1le asks: James, what turned you on to the role of Cyclops?
james_marsden_live: like I said before....
james_marsden_live: I had faith in the movie due to Bryan Singer being attached.
james_marsden_live: And secondly, I knew what a HUGE following this comic book would have.
james_marsden_live: And some of the traits in Cyclops...loyalty, leadership... I thought it would be a nice challenge as the youngest in the cast to come off as the leader.
james_marsden_live: And Optic Blasts are cool.

carloleone asks: How difficult was to act when you were supposed to use your powers in the movie (since they are special effects, computer generated). Did you have to use a lot of your imagination during your acting?
james_marsden_live: There were some certain physical effects from the blasts...explosions after bringing my hand up to turn the aperture. Doors would blow off attached on cables, or the ceiling of the train station falls down onto people.
james_marsden_live: I got to witness the destruction that I created. :D
james_marsden_live: I just couldn't see the blast.
james_marsden_live: One of the questions I had for Bryan was "What happens when this beam of force comes out of his eyes? Is there a kickback like a gun?"
james_marsden_live: Bryan said I'd just stand there and tens up. and stare...

dawnv_22 asks: Do you really believe Mutants exists?(I know this question sounds crazy)
james_marsden_live: It doesn't sound crazy actually....
james_marsden_live: I think that the word MUTANT can symbolize a whole slew of words. Outcast...Minority....
james_marsden_live: anyone who feels different from what they view as normal.
james_marsden_live: Everyone at one point in their life has felt ostracized or different.
james_marsden_live: I think it's human nature to crave acceptance. And that's what the message this movie has.
james_marsden_live: We're not preaching to people, but the message is there.
james_marsden_live: Literally, no, no Mutants by X-Men standards...but figuratively, there are people out there who are different.

BaByGrl358 asks: What is your relationship in the movie with Logan..because I think you both fight for Jean..are you guys enemies or what?
james_marsden_live: I think that Cyclops and Wolverine respect each other. But they don't care for each other.
james_marsden_live: And that makes for a fun banter.

trtwisted_2000 asks: Did you get a chance to meet Stan Lee the co-creator of the X-MEN?
james_marsden_live: I went to his huge media empire and chatted with him, and got a tour of the facility.
james_marsden_live: I think he's like 72 and going on 15.
james_marsden_live: And if you have a very keen eye...you'll see him in the movie.
james_marsden_live: that's an interesting question, and I always thought I'd be the last person to be cast as a superhero...but if I had a chance at anyone, it would be Spiderman.
Yahoo_Host1: Would you ever consider playing Spiderman, having already played a Marvel character.
james_marsden_live: I was very skinny
james_marsden_live: But I don't know if it was the right career move to go from one Marvel Character to another, and then back to the first one again.
james_marsden_live: I keep seeing Adam West as Superman, and it would be very strange to me.
james_marsden_live: And they haven't offered me the role!
james_marsden_live: I'll stick with Cyclops for now. :)
james_marsden_live: And I think probably the fans wouldn't like it.

mistress_snakecharmer asks: Are you afraid that by being part of a Sci-fi movie of this scale that you will be type cast?
james_marsden_live: No. I'm not afraid of it.
james_marsden_live: So far, this movie has only been helpful to me. When you do a film of this caliber, it opens doors for you.
james_marsden_live: You start getting offers on films you'd never thought would happen. It gives you options to do something completely different.
james_marsden_live: I'm not afraid of being a superhero.
james_marsden_live: It's not something I really think about.'

fortunate_2002 asks: Is it strange seeing yourself on the 70 ft screen in black leather?
james_marsden_live: yes!
james_marsden_live: When I see myself that big, all I can think of is how uncomfortable I was.
james_marsden_live: It's exciting, and it's all part of fulfilling a childhood fantasy.
james_marsden_live: I wanted to be a superhero and fly and kickass....
james_marsden_live: And there I am, kicking ass.

vel526 asks: did u do your own stunts???
james_marsden_live: yeah. The role didn't have too many stunts.
james_marsden_live: I just blow stuff up.
james_marsden_live: :)
james_marsden_live: I would ASK why Cyclops couldn't get into a fight with Toad.... and they answered that it would be cool for the audience, but you'd just blast the guy. WHY would you fight him?
james_marsden_live: So I don't do a lot of punch and kick moves, or jump off buildings and things.
james_marsden_live: I get kicked once by Toad, and Ray Park actually kicked me.

isnick_04 asks: what was the hardest part about playing the role of Cyclops
james_marsden_live: I realized as an actor how much you rely on your eyes to create energy and personality.
james_marsden_live: It was a handicap.
james_marsden_live: It was something I kind of struggled with. It was nice. He's always had an insecurity about himself.
james_marsden_live: Cyclops had the problem of being unable to look at people.
james_marsden_live: I would go into rehearsals with Bryan in street clothes. "I like what you're doing now", he would say, and then the next day...I'd try to the do the exact same thing. He would notice it being different.
james_marsden_live: It was different with the visor on, and we didn't realize it!

caseyinthefaculty asks: What director would you like to work with most?
james_marsden_live: I can rattle off a few
james_marsden_live: I love Steven Soderberg.
james_marsden_live: Steven Spielberg. A big fan of Michael Mann. Zemeckis.
james_marsden_live: Woody Allen.
james_marsden_live: And I think that's a key to big career...working with good directors.
james_marsden_live: Paul Thomas Anderson is another good one.

slysnoodles66 asks: james, what was it like working with ILM?
james_marsden_live: Never met them!
james_marsden_live: There were 7 effects companies involved in the film, and to my understanding ILM handled the additional shoots in LA.
james_marsden_live: I didn't really get to go in and watch that stuff happening. But I saw the end result.
Yahoo_Host1: Other than your visor, did you have any prosthetic devices for your character?
james_marsden_live: nope :)
james_marsden_live: I got ready in about half hour!
james_marsden_live: But I had to still wait while everyone else was in makeup.
james_marsden_live: Bored!
james_marsden_live: I had a later call, but still...sometimes I had to wait. It was nice really.

bramapararush asks: How does it feel, James, to know that you are about to be cast as a hero-icon in the eyes of adults and children alike? I mean, for months, all you'll be able to see will be Cyclops lunchboxes everywhere!
james_marsden_live: It's very exciting. I'm wondering if it's going to be a bit like being the Invisible Man.
james_marsden_live: I don't know I will be recognized that often without the visor :D
james_marsden_live: You never see my eyes in the movie.
james_marsden_live: On the other hand, I could be wrong.
james_marsden_live: but this movie is a machine that will not be stopped. I don't know really.
james_marsden_live: It's hard to tell when the film hasn't come out yet, but hopefully I'll enjoy every second of it.

vigilante1le asks: I enjoyed "Gossip", and I know I'm going to love "X-men". What other movies do you have coming out in the future?
james_marsden_live: I did a movie before X-Men called Sugar and Spice with Mena Suvari.
james_marsden_live: That's a comedy. But I like to change up my roles.
james_marsden_live: That comes out in January.
james_marsden_live: For now, there are a few projects I've got offers on, but I haven't made any hard decisions yet.

mrsaturnman8790 asks: If you could have a super power in real life what would it be
james_marsden_live: The question...
james_marsden_live: I've had plenty of time to think about it.
james_marsden_live: The ones that come to mind:
james_marsden_live: Teleportation
james_marsden_live: - in this highly sophisticated today, it's still a pain in the ass to get from Point A to Point B.
james_marsden_live: And then...
james_marsden_live: I'd also like a good old fashion ability to FLY!
james_marsden_live: I used to jump off the roof of my house and flap my arms as a kid.
james_marsden_live: And that never worked. :(
james_marsden_live: So that would be cool.
james_marsden_live: To Fly.
Yahoo_Host1: Thanks so much to James Marsden for stopping by to chat about his role as Cyclops in X-Men, the movie, which premieres nationwide on Friday, July 14th
james_marsden_live: Thanks to everyone!
james_marsden_live: I'm sorry I couldn't answer all the questions. I wish I could.
james_marsden_live: I'd tell you how proud I am for this movie.
james_marsden_live: Go see it.
james_marsden_live: You'll be excited.
james_marsden_live: You'll just want more, and maybe you'll see it again ;)
james_marsden_live: It's an exciting film and I'm very proud of it.
james_marsden_live: I think 90-100% of you will love it!
james_marsden_live: Awesome and thanks again!
Yahoo_Host1: Make sure you check out the X-Men website to see transcripts of our chat with James Marsden as well as previous X-Men chats.
Yahoo_Host1: www.x-men-the-movie.com/