2016 is set to unleash three differentX-Men movieson fans, withDeadpoolarriving just in time for Valentine’s Day this February, followed byX-Men: Apocalypsein May andGambitin October. Then, in 2017, we’ll getHugh Jackman’s swan song inWolverine 3. But what happens after all that? Many speculate thatX-Forcewill be next. But we don’t have any confirmation from 20th Century Fox when thisMutant adventure, which is rumored to include Wade Wilson, will hit screens. Today, we get an update on the movie with a cool piece of concept art. And it purportedly shows off thenew Mutantsthat will be at play.
It’s long been known that Fox plans to set up their own Marvel shared universe, but they faltered in launching theirFantastic Fourreboot this summer, so they appear to be proceeding with caution.X-Forcehas been in development since 2013. The movie follows a strike team that takes a militant and proactive approach in dealing with Mutant threats. It wasKick-Ass 2writer and directorJeff Wadlowwho was tasked with penning the screenplay for this Marvel adventure.
Many believed thatX-Forcewould be the next franchise installment to move forward. But the leakedDeadpoolfootage proved to be so popular with fans, that Fox finally green lit that long-gestating movie first. In turn,X-Forcegot put on indefinite hold. But now we have a clue as to which Mutants would have made up this first iteration of the superhero team, thanks to art fromJeff Wadlow’s friend Greg Semkow.
Greg Semkow tweeted out the artwork, which he says is based solely onJeff Wadlow’s completed script. It features team leaderCable, who is Cyclops' son and endowed with telepathy powers. Domino is an expert marksman with enhanced reflexes, making him an expert in hand-to-hand combat. Warpath is a Native American who has regenerative healing abilities and super strength. Finally, there is Cannonball, who can create force fields and flies with jet propulsion.
“Art inspired by the lineup from my friend @jeffwadlow ’s #xforce script! Lets get the word out, we need the movie!”
Looking at the art, you may notice a mysterious fifth member of theX-Forceteam. This woman in the hoodie is not a known member from the Marvel comic books. Some speculate that we’re actually looking at Rogue, and thatAnna Paquinis reprising the character in the movie to give the story some connective tissue to the X-Men universe, much in the same way thatDeadpoolis utilizing Colossus. Some also speculate that this mystery mutant is Hope Summer or Psylocke, both of whom have served as members of theX-Forceteam.
Deadpoolis a member of X-Force, and there has been plenty of chatter about him joining the team. Co-creator of theX-Force,Rob Liefeldhas revealed in the past thatJeff Wadlow’s script does include Cable and Deadpool. But as of now, it’s not known if this same version of the screenplay is actively being used throughout the pre-production process. About the screenplay,Rob Liefeldcalled it ‘beyond impressive’. He went onto reveal that it shows the “camaraderie between the team as they learn to cope and trust one another!”
X-Forcedoesn’t have a set release date. And we’re not sure if Fox will make it the next Marvel movie afterWolverine 3. As of now,The Fantastic Four 2is on indefinite hold. Though, if things go according to plan, we suspect thatDeadpool 2will be the next movie confirmed for this alternate take on the MCU. What do you think? Do you like this line-up?
