The X-Men films have had its shares of ups and downs over the last 18 plus years. Since 2000, the movies have been an attempt by 20th Century Fox to create a wide-ranging universe using some of the most beloved characters in comics. However, with the upcoming Fox/Disney merger a number of things have been thrown into question.
And with those questions there are rumors and theories trying to answer them.
And we might have just gotten one huge answer about Fox’s future with the X-Men. Brent Andrew at Comic Genre reports he attended a “speaking engagement with some high-level Fox production crew members.” While at this speaking engagement he discovered the potential future for the X-Men movies.
Here’s what he reported:
“X-Men: Dark Phoenix will be the last proper Fox Marvel movie, presumably also the last in that continuity. The crew behind the camera has been thanked for their work but their services will not be needed any longer, as everything is moving to Disney. Apparently, the X-Men being integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a done deal, and merely awaiting the approval of the merger. Kevin Feige is ‘hoovering up’ all of the Fox-Marvel characters, and is already planning for them all to go into Phase 4. This includes the X-Men, Deadpool, and Fantastic Four. In what capacity and with what actors was not discussed.”
[totalpoll id=”40011″]
This is huge if this pans out to be real. It would mean we would see a second reboot of the X-Men franchise after X-Men: First Class and Days of Future Past. It would also mean a third reboot for the Fantastic Four.
If this is true that begs some other questions.
First, how will they approach integrating the X-Men into the already well established Marvel Cinematic Universe? I mean you cannot just say, “Hey this group of mutants are here, and yeah we’ve never really talked about hem on camera till now.” That’s going to take some real creative writing to maintain some semblance of continuity. Although with Avengers: Infinity War and the Infinity Gauntlet at play, there’s plenty of opportunity. You have the Reality Stone that could open up different realities. You also have Doctor Strange who introduced the concept of the Multiverse. It’s not too far-fetched to see these concepts used to incorporate the X-Men.
Next, though its pretty connected with the first point. What are the plans for The Gifted on Fox TV? It’s a popular show, that in my opinion shouldn’t be left out as the red-headed stepchild. I’m not sure if the Marvel universe could fit in that storyline of increasing hostility between Mutants and normal humans without explaining why that social pressure has been noticeably absent from any other movie. But once again, the introduction of a true multiverse could easily solve this problem.
Then, and here is the question I’m really wondering about. What will you do with the actors who’ve played these characters? You have some pretty good actors in roles that are filled by young actors who are starting to become the face of these characters.
Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey is really good, as was now, don’t hate me guys, Olivia Munn’s Psylocke. I would hate to see them scrapped and a new set of actors brought in. Not to mention Ryan Reynolds. I mean they have to keep Ryan Reynolds on board for Deadpool. It just has to happen because I said so.
Phase 4 would be a good place to fit in the X-Men, but if what the Russo Brothers hinted at earlier this week, we might actually see the X-Men show up sooner rather than later.
But I want to hear from you, what do you think. Do you want this to be true? Or would you rather that Marvel carry on with a wall between these franchises? Let us know in the comments below!