Simon Kinberg to Direct ‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’
Fox seems to have it’s plate full at the current moment. They are currently in pre-production in preparation for releasing three films based in their X-Men cinematic universe all in the same year, a first for the studio. 2018 will see the release of the highly anticipated Deadpool 2, X-Men: New Mutants, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Deadpool remains it’s own unique franchise with a limited connection to the overall X-Universe while New Mutants will be a new take on the franchise putting some not so well known mutant characters as the leads in their own film with a horror spin on the genre. But Dark Phoenix will be the continuation of the X-Men stories first started with 2011’s X-Men: First Class.
As production for the film vastly approaches it’s beginning, it has been confirmed that the Oscar nominated Simon Kinberg will make his directorial debut as he sits in the director’s chair for the film based on the very popular comic storyline of the same name. Kinberg has been a main player on the creative team of the FoX-Men universe for years. He is the screenwriter for Days of Future Past and X-Men: The Last Stand as well as helping to produce other X-Men properties such as X-Men: Apocalypse and Logan.
Photo Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter
Along with Kinberg’s confirmed directing debut, X-Men universe veterans James MCAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawence and Nicholas Hoult are currently in talks to reprise their roles as Professor Charles Xavier, Magneto, Mystique and Beast. All four actors were brought on for three-picture deals and with the release and subpar success of X-Men: Apocalypse those contractual obligations have been fulfilled. But as the story continues, in the very least McAvoy’s portrayal of Professor X is much needed as he is the overseer of the X-Men.
A plot synopsis for Dark Phoenix has not been released but the film will be loosely based on the comic storyline of the same name. After saving the world using the Phoenix Force, Jean Grey suddenly starts losing control and the Phoenix takes over her body and starts wreaking havoc, threatening the very fabric of all life in the entire universe. It is unknown whether Fox will keep Phoenix’s comic origins as a sentient alien being but we know that the film version of the Phoenix force is extremely powerful as she defeated the unstoppable En Sabah Nur in X-Men: Apocalypse.
What do you think of Simon Kinberg taking on an X-Men film as his directorial debut? Are you excited at the possibility of James McAvoy and Michael Fassebender returning to the franchise? Let us know in the comments below.
SOURCE: Deadline
X-Men: Dark Phoenix soars into theaters November 2, 2018.
1 Comment »