Rebecca Romijn Talks Collaboration With X-MEN Directors Bryan Singer & Brett Ratner, Who Throws Under The Bus

Rebecca Romijn she was only known as a model, but has made a name for herself in Hollywood in recent decades by starring in the X-Men movie franchises and shows like Just shoot me, Ugly BettyAND The Librarians. She has played some iconic characters and recently sat down with The Independent to discuss some of them.

Of his role in the series Ugly Betty – Alexis Meade, the transgender scion of a media dynasty, who had faked his own death before undergoing gender reassignment surgery, Romijn says:

“The executives at the time didn’t like the idea of ​​the character. At that point there was an actual boys club running the show behind the scenes. So, to try and make it palatable to the boys’ club… they picked me. And I jumped at the chance. I would never get cast in that role today, but I feel like it helped open doors for the trans community. I’d like to think so, though. I don’t want to pat myself on the back too much.

The cool thing about the role was that Alexis was as outrageous and sexy as every other fashionista on that show. Romijn says of Alexis, “I really wanted to do that character justice and make her as sexy as possible.”

Moving on to her movie roles, her most popular and biggest box office hits were the X-Men movies, in which she played the character Mystique. She looks back on the films fondly, as well as some turbulent memories. Many who have worked on the films since have objected to Bryan Singer, who directed the first two films in the franchise. Alan Cumming AND Halle Berry both spoke of an attempted intervention with Singer about the director’s alleged drug use on the set of x2. In recent years, Singer has also denied repeated allegations of sexual misconduct.

Romijn is aware that Singer has “had his fair share of things” in the intervening years, and that she’s grappling with how to deal with her positive memories of him.

“He’s a fantastic director, you know? It was great to watch him work. And you have to decide if you want to try and separate those two things. I know the other cast has confronted him about things. But I was not part of it. I wasn’t there for that, so I can’t really talk about it.

She continued, “There was drama on set, and I witnessed it and heard a lot about it. And sometimes he didn’t come prepared. But he would show up and, without any preparation, direct the most fantastic scene that he was able to put together because he’s such a good director. He adds that he doesn’t “want to throw anyone under the bus… Except Brett Ratner.”

Ratner, the director of films including Rush hour AND Red Dragonreplaced Singer for 2006 X-Men: The Last Stand, which marked Romijn’s last major breakthrough as Mystique. In 2017, six women, including actors Olivia Munn AND Natasha Henstridge — accused Ratner of sexual assault and harassment, Ratner says at the time he disputed “categorically” through his attorney. Elliot pagewho played Shadowcat X-Men: The Last Standhe also accused Ratner of sexual harassment on the film set.

Romyn continued:

“I was not happy working with him. But it was cancelled. I haven’t talked about anything about #MeToo, because I’ve had two big problems with two directors I’ve worked with – and they’ve both already had theirs, one of which is Brett Ratner. It’s just… I didn’t feel like I had to say anything. I know the two people I’ve worked with expected it and they got it. I… I don’t need to say anything else.

Romijn says these two roles are ones she loved to play, and would even love to play them again, but adds that if the role of Alexis were ever to recur, a trans actress would be the best choice for the role.

Rebecca Romijn currently stars in the prequel series Star Trek: Strange New Worldswhich you can stream on Paramount+.