With the world devastated by war, and mutants in particular facing extinction, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his long-time friend/occasional enemy Magneto (Ian McKellen) hatch a plan to send Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) consciousness back in time to his younger self in the 1970s in “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” While there, he must convince the First Class era versions of Xavier and Magneto to put aside their vast differences and bitter rivalry to work together and stop the dark, dangerous future from coming to pass. But it won’t be an easy job, as Charles Xavier in 1973 is in a dark place himself – and it might take meeting his future self to knock him out of a deep depression…

Stewart returns to the role of Charles Xavier he originated in 2000’s X-Men, reuniting with director Bryan Singer and his castmates. Slipping back into the character of Charles, Sir Stewart says that “This time, it's been a little different because the background to our story is such that the X-Men find themselves not at the start of difficult situations, but almost at the climax of them – a time when not just mutants, but all of society is threatened with extinction by these machines, the Sentinels. The drama and intensity really never let up for us in this film; in the past, we've had lighter moments and sometimes even scenes of quite conventional action. But not in this one, because the external threat is so present and so demanding that everything is at a high level of tension.”

Patrick Stewart, who has played Charles Xavier/Professor X for over fourteen years, was not surprised that his character was returning in “Days of Future Past.” The success of the franchise has been impressive and Stewart could see where the stories were headed. And besides, “It’s going to take James McAvoy a year or two before he actually looks like me,” he jokes.

Stewart was happy to again work with Singer, whose vision has helped define the ambitions and success of the films. One of the changes Stewart has witnessed over the years is the approach to setting up a project of this scale. He had never before worked on a 3D film nor seen animated pre-visualizations of his scenes. The process has become more complex but also more precise, all of which excited Stewart almost as much as finally flying the X-Jet. Moreover, this time Xavier has a wheelchair that “actually hovers!” he marvels.

“Bryan was already a very mature filmmaker when we started working on the first X-Men movie. I think one of the ways he has changed is that Bryan has now become much more sensitive and intimate to an actor's way of working and preparation, and has absorbed that into his directing style and technique. That's something I was very much aware of when we were filming Days of Future Past,” Stewart continues.

Scottish actor James McAvoy returns to his role as the young Charles, who in this story has lost hope, has had his spirit broken, and is more vulnerable than ever before. Stewart shares on his scene with McAvoy, “It was challenging because of the nature of the scene that James and I had to play. It was my last day of work on the movie and his first. So I was in quite a different place and James had to pretty much start cold. But we both found the scene very interesting, and it presented an acting challenge as to how we would respond to being face to face with our younger or older self. I found that challenge fascinating and I wish we'd had more time on-screen together, because I've admired him for many years but never before had an opportunity to work with him until he shot that one scene.”

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” is the biggest X-Men film to date, a validation of the success of the franchise, but more importantly a culmination of tremendous creative energies from its cast and filmmakers. It is a story that reaches across all boundaries to all audiences.

With his near-impervious Adamantium-bonded bones and his remarkable ability to heal, Wolverine has, over the years, become one of the best-loved heroes in the X-Men films and one of the most iconic superheroes to make the leap from comics to the big screen. In 20^th Century Fox latest “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” he’ll be tested to the limit as his consciousness is sent back through time to help his friends stop one of the most dangerous threats they’ve faced yet.

Directed by Bryan Singer, the movie sees Hugh Jackman’s Logan/Wolverine as the tie that binds the days of future and past. Jackman has played the character of Wolverine seven times over 14 years, which he describes as an “incredible and rare gift.” It is the character that has defined his career, but has never limited him as an actor. Jackman knows Wolverine better than anyone, and he describes Logan’s return to the X-Men universe as a “rebirth.”

“Logan sees himself, for the first time in a long while, as part of the X-Men team,” Jackman continues. “He has come to terms with the fact that his anger is his greatest weapon. He is a warrior at peace with himself now. Being the only mutant with the capacity to heal himself, Logan volunteers to travel back in time to prevent the mutant apocalypse that the X-Men of the future are facing.”

Wolverine’s mutant abilities make him the only member of the X-Men capable of making the journey. Director Bryan Singer explains: “Going back that far in time would rip apart the mind of anyone else. There’s only one person who has the regenerative capabilities to survive the experience, and that’s Wolverine. Since he doesn’t age, when Wolverine’s mind travels back to his younger self, Hugh was able to play both versions of the character. So that was a great opportunity for me and for Hugh.”

Throughout their history, Charles Xavier has tried to instill the X-Men philosophy in Logan, and tried to reach out to him and calm his anger. In “Days of Future Past,” however, the characters reverse roles. Logan is now the one trying to convince a younger Charles to have faith.

“It’s a kind of interesting poetry that plays out between the two,” notes Singer. “In the first ‘X-Men’ film, Xavier helps Logan find a place in the world among the X-Men. In ‘Days of Future Past,’ Wolverine must travel back in time and help Xavier put the shattered pieces of his life back together, and save the future.” It may be Wolverine’s most difficult mission, for as he says in the movie, “Patience is not my strongest suit.”

Jackman was glad to be back on board even though he had completed “The Wolverine” only a few months before he headed to Montreal to film “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”That meant that instead of having to get in shape, he would simply have to stay in shape. Not that his regimen is simple. The actor’s workout program included 45-90 minutes every morning before his hair and makeup call. His diet was also very strict, consisting mainly of broiled chicken and steamed vegetables. He ate every two hours, often in between scenes or rehearsals. Before shooting a specific scene he did a 15-minute extreme “pump up” and finished the day with another 45 minutes at the gym.

Jackman was grateful for the opportunity to reunite with Berry, McKellen, and Stewart,with whom he’s remained friends since their coming together in the first X-Men film, as well as with Singer, whom Jackman credits for his breakthrough in Hollywood films. Working with the young cast was also a treat. During one particularly telling moment, Jackman was walking down the Blue Hallway set with Nicholas Hoult, who said, “I remember I was about eight years old when I saw ‘X-Men.’” That moment made Jackman realize how iconic the X-Men universe has become.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (3D) will open on May 21 nationwide in the Philippines from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” directed by Bryan Singer is based on a classic two-issue comics tale that takes us to a bleak future where powerful machines overpower and vanquish the warm-blooded populace that forces the mutants to time travel despite all odds.

Revealed in this year’s San Diego Comic-Con are two teaser interfused posters of the movie featuring two of the greatest mutants ever to live in the X-Men universe. The promotional teaser posters of Professor X and Magneto are each inhabited by two actors – Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy melds as Professor X while Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender’s features are merged to become Magneto.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” stars newcomers Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Boo Boo Stewart, Fan Bingbing, Evan Peters, Adan Canto, Josh Helman, along with returning stars Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Lucas Till, and Daniel Cudmore.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” will open on May 22, 2014 in Phils. From 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. in theaters nationwide.

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