The journey of X-Men franchise has been a long and spectacular one from the time that Bryan Singer launched the original X-Men films to Wolverine’s exit in Logan. We saw the younger lot of popular mutants form a brand new core team of X-Men in the movie X-Men: First Class. This film came after the highly disappointing X-Men: The Last Stand which didn’t just upset the fans, but, also created chaos in the timeline. Later, the timeline anomalies were sorted out during X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Bryan Singer also directed X-Men Apocalypse. However, he failed to bring to life the magic created by the earlier films. The film featured Apocalypse (a historical creature enacted by Oscar Isaac). He was the mightiest and the earliest mutant on earth who is aiming to wreak havoc and plans to establish a new world order. He asked those mutants who were disenchanted with Professor Xavier. Over a period spanning across millenniums, he has raised a mutant army. Whereas the other side is led by Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), who has established her own Mutant squad for the imminent war and protection of humanity.
The focus of X-Men: Apocalypse was on Jean Grey, an extremely powerful telepathic mutant who was a student at Xavier’s special school and that made it logical for the filmmakers to pick up the Phoenix concept for the next installment. X-Men 7 or X-Men: Dark Phoenix is the title of this film, and it has already started generating a great deal of chatter in the superhero genre. The film is based upon Jean Grey becoming a mighty cosmic being played by Sophie Turner.
The Simon Kinberg directorial venture’s script is a modified version of the Dark Phoenix comics created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. The film is based in the 1990’s, and it has the set prequel trilogy pattern wherein each film is spaced out by a decade in time.
The much revered X-Men writer Chris Claremont who is reputed to relish creating powerful female characters had written ‘Phoenix Saga’ in 1976 which had Jean Grey as the central character. This is what he had stated back then:
“Our intent was to create an X-Men analog, if you will, to Thor – someone who was essentially the first female cosmic hero. We thought at the time we could integrate her into the book as well as Thor had been integrated into the Avengers.”
The plan was to create a feminine superhero with cosmic powers which could be a part of the mutant universe. The narrative had Jean Grey become a mutant after her near death experience caused by solar energy and putting on the mantle of fire using which she beat cruel alien monarch. Then she joined the Phoenix force and destroyed Apocalypse. Tragically, she became anti-X-Men and gobbled up an entire star, unleashing a huge atrocious streak which gave her the name Dark Phoenix.
Another X-Men film that’s set to release in 2018 is called “The New Mutants.” The film’s production is almost over yet there have been no leaks or official release of any set photos. The only thing we have seen so far is the film’s official logo which was released by director Josh Boone. The image is smeared in blood and indicates that there are going to be some terrible happenings in the film. The film is being promoted as a YA superhero venture and the first horror film from Marvel. The leading villain in the film is called Demon Bear.
Deadpool 2 is the third X-Men film set to release in 2018. The film is currently being shot at Hatley Castle which is shown to be the X-Mansion in the film. It is a training facility for the young mutants wherein they are taught to optimally use their powers and become responsible and productive members of the society. There is a tremendous expectation among fans for this film, and since the first Deadpoolfilm collected over $800 million whereas its budget was under $60 million, this is probably the most profitable superhero movie in the X-Men franchise.
The film will see the entire team that worked on the original movie reprise its roles. Blind Al, Vanessa, The driver, Colossus as well as Negasonic Teenage Warhead will all be once again seen in the same roles. Cable who happens to be the time traveler son of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor will also feature in the film along with his lady love Domino (ZazieBeetz). Domino used to be a killer who became a part of X-Men. This duo will be the anti-hero characters which will counter-balance Deadpool’s murderous personality. We don’t yet know if there are going to be some other mutants feature in this one, but, we have heard rumors about the possibility of a brand new mutant featuring in the film, who has never been seen in movies or comics previously.
We wish the best of luck to all those who are associated with the X-Men universe and will wait to watch these three films in 2018.
