The latest – and potentially final – instalment of Fox’s main X-Men franchise is set to arrive in November 2018, as long-time franchise writer and producer Simon Kinberg takes a second stab at one of the most popular X-Men comic book arcs in X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Unlike X-Men: The Last Stand, Kinberg finds himself in the director’s chair this time around for what is his directorial debut, and actress Sophie Turner – who portrays the pivotal role of Jean Grey – has been full of praise for the filmmaker:
“Simon has been the brain behind X-Men for years, and it’s really exciting to have what feels like one of our own rise up and take hold of the franchise, and direct it in the way that he sees it,” said Turner. “I have to say he’s one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with. He’s so passionate and collaborative.”
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The Game of Thrones star also went on to discuss her preparation for the role, adding: “Once I got the script though, I realized that not only were we telling this amazing superhero story, but we were also telling a very personal story as well. One which required research into mental health issues. Because that is a big part of what drives the story. I mainly drew inspiration from multiple personality disorder and schizophrenia, as it is really about duality, this movie. Darkness and light – that’s all within her. This sense of being a completely other person and her struggling with that.”
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After the X-Men team is dispatched to space for a rescue mission, a solar flare hits the X-Jet and the surge of energy ignites a malevolent, power-hungry new force within Jean – the Phoenix.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix is set for release on November 2nd, 2018. Simon Kinberg is directing a cast that includes franchise veterans Michael Fassbender (Magneto), James McAvoy (Professor X), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler) and Evan Peters (Quicksilver) alongside new additions Jessica Chastain and Lamar Johnson.
