X-Men: Dark Phoenix: Simon Kinberg To Direct With First Class Cast

Longtime “X-Men” film franchise writer Simon Kinberg will be making his directorial debut as he has been confirmed to helm “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” with the cast of the “First Class” trilogy set to reprise their roles.

Taking from the recent success of R-rated films like “Logan” and “Deadpool” in the mutant universe, Fox is fast-tracking the development of projects for these films, set to be a trilogy and will be released next year. One of these films is “Dark Phoenix,” where it continues the story of “X-Men: Apocalypse,” focusing on Jean Grey’s evil alter-ego, “Phoenix.”

The film will also be set in the 1990’s and will be drawing references from its comic book counterpart.

Locking Down The Director and Cast For X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Aside from the director, one of the film’s biggest questions were about the cast. It was rumored last month that Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence will be reprising their roles as Magneto and Mystique, with Nicholas Hoult also to reprise his role as Beast. It looks like these rumors are indeed true, as the studio is now confirming their involvement in the film.

Nightcrawler, Storm, Cyclops, Mystique, Professor X, Jean Grey and Quicksilver in X-Men Apocalypse. Photo via 20th Century Fox.

Deadline reports that Kinberg is officially going to direct “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.” Joining the film’s mutant cast are Fassbender, Lawrence, Hoult, and James McAvoy (Professor X.) “Apocalypse” stars Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan and Kodi Smit-McPhee will also be back as Storm, Jean Grey/Phoenix, Cyclops and Nightcrawler respectively.

Does Simon Kinberg Have The Directorial Chops?

This news might come as a bit shocking and intriguing at the same time. Kinberg is a first-time director, and fans might be iffy at this announcement, given how the “X-Men” universe is a vast film universe with complicated stories intertwined in it. Though Kinberg has been writing for the franchise since 2006, he has never experienced directing a film, let alone an “X-Men” film.

Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men The Last Stand. Photo via 20th Century Fox.

Kinberg’s first “X-Men” movie screenplay was “The Last Stand,” with Zak Penn as his co-writer. He then went on to write “Days of Future Past” and “Apocalypse.” He also wrote the 2016’s box office disaster in the form of “Fantastic Four.” Kinberg has already been slated to write for “Dark Phoenix,” with him claiming to have an interest in directing the film.

Drawing From The Dark Phoenix Saga

The movie’s title seems to indicate that it will be drawing from “The Dark Phoenix Saga” in the comics. The story follows “The Uncanny X-Men” in 1980. In the comic, Jean Grey becomes a host for a cosmic entity known as the Phoenix Force after a mission in space. This then transforms her into a bloodthirsty killing machine known as “Dark Phoenix,” an extremely powerful and dangerous mutant said to be more supreme than Galactus.

Dark Phoenix’s actions led the “X-Men” to a conflict with the alien adversaries called the Shi’ar Empire, led by Empress Lilandra. Both parties battle over the fate of Dark Phoenix. Because of the magnitude of death and destruction over Dark Phoenix’s actions, Jean regains control and commits suicide, putting an end to the control of the Phoenix Force.

Photo via Marvel Comics

This might seem as a fitting background for “Dark Phoenix,” as the studio also plans to take the “X-Men” into space. We’re hoping that this comes out as a faithful adaptation of one of the most controversial “X-Men” comic book arcs.

“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” is slated for a November 2, 2018 release.