The all-conquering trend of superhero movies from Hollywood must also succumb to another juggernaut: the art and public-relations craft of the selfie.
On Wednesday in Singapore, three stars of X-Men: Days Of Future Past charmed their way into fans' hearts via numerous selfies taken on the blue carpet before the South-east Asian premiere of the movie - just like the main cast of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 did a month ago here when they came to promote their blockbuster.
More than 4,000 fans from around Asia turned up at Shaw House in Orchard Road to show their love for Hugh Jackman, Peter Dinklage and Fan Bingbing, who also gamely signed autographs for them.
Australian actor Jackman, 45, widely known as one of Hollywood's Mr. Nice Guy, gushed to the public about the kaya toast and eggs that he had on Tuesday morning, before declaring the Singapore premiere as one of the "best" events he has attended for the movie so far due to the "great energy" all around. Jackman reprises his role as mutant Wolverine, who has the ability to self-heal.
American actor Dinklage, 44, was also in good spirits, and said that even though he was "so far from home, you all make me feel at home". Ever the joker, he also declared their new movie as the "greatest X-men movie ever, even though I'm in it". Dinklage, who plays villain Bolivar Trask in the film, is enjoying a high in his career as a result of starring in the hit HBO series Game Of Thrones.
Top China star Fan Bingbing, 32, who plays mutant Blink in the movie, cheekily reenacted for fans how her character sways her arms in the film in order to teleport.
Singapore is the location of the South-east Asian premiere of the movie, the only promotional stop in the region. The movie, which also stars Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, opens in cinemas next week.
