X-Men: Apocalypse, though it did make money for Fox, was a pretty big disappointment for a lot of fans and failed to live up toX-Men: Days of Future Past, both in terms of box office and acclaim. Were it not forBatman V Superman: Dawn of Justicegiving fanboys and fangirls something more worthy to complain about,X-Men: Apocalypsemay have seemed like more of a failure. So now Fox needs to decide what to do withX-Men 7.
The Hollywood Reporterrecently published an article updating some of Fox’s plans for the future of theX-Menfranchise. Writer and producerSimon Kinbergis reportedly currently working on the script forX-Men 7. It was rumored to take place in the 90s and be partially set inouter space. The only potential problem is that starsJennifer Lawrence,Michael FassbenderNicholas HoultandJames McAvoyall had their contracts expire withX-Men: Apocalypse. So, will Fox try and bring them back forX-Men 7?
The report didn’t make a definitive statement either way, but it did note that Fox’s new chairmanStacey Sniderwill have a tough choice to make on that one. Odds are that the four stars, all of whom are in high-demand right now, won’t return to theX-Men franchisecheap. So is it worth shelling out a lot of money to bring them back when signs would point to the franchise, as it stands, being in decline? It is hard to say. But withLoganbeingHugh Jackman’s last go as Wolverine next year,X-Men 7could really benefit from some recognizable stars. Fox also brought onSophie TurnerasJean Grey,Tye Sheridanas Cyclops and several others forX-Men: Apocalypse, so there is a good chance some of the newer cast members will return.
But the report also notes that this new movie thatSimon Kinbergis currently working on will be a bit of a “reset” for theX-Menseries. It looks like mainX-Menmovies will be “reconfigured,” which sounds like a way of saying that Fox will once again be doing a soft reboot of the franchise. They also did something similar withX-Men: First Classin 2011. They will also be looking for a new director to helmX-Men 7, becauseBryan Singerisn’t expected to return. It looks like he will be busy directing the long -gestatingFreddie MercurybiopicBohemian Rhapsodyinstead.
Outside of the mainX-Menseries, Fox is moving ahead withDeadpool 2without directorTim Miller, who departed the project recently over “creative differences.” Not only that, but according to the same report, the studio is already looking at doingDeadpool 3, which will introduce the mutant teamX-Forceinto the movies. Outside of that,Channing Tatum’sGambitis still on the shelf for now butJosh Boonemay be shootingThe New Mutantsnext spring. Fox has not set a release date forX-Men 7yet. So even ifJennifer Lawrence,Michael Fassbender,Nicholas HoultandJames McAvoyreturn, they will have to be aged up quite a bit. Or Fox can just ignore the timeline issues like they have been doing. Either way.
