Fans were delighted when news of the Disney/20th Century Fox merger made headlines in December last year. This meant that the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises were finally coming home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But what does this mean for the future of these franchises? Despite the merger, reports reveal that there are roughly five more “X-Men” movies in the pipeline in 2019 and 2020. three “X-Men” films will hit theatres next year (including “The New Mutants”) and another three more in 2020. And that’s not even including the two spin-off movies from “Fantastic Four” – Silver Surfer and Doctor Doom’s standalone movies.
1. “The New Mutants”
- Release Date: 22nd February 2019
“Deadpool 2” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” are set to debut this year. “The New Mutants” was originally slated for release in April 2018. However, it was pushed back to February 2019 after a series of test screenings. It was announced that “The New Mutants” will do a lot of reshoots to add another character.
Who’s the additional X-Men member? All eyes point to shapeshifting alien, Warlock (from the race called the Technarchy). Director Josh Boone has stated that “The New Mutants” is the first part of a trilogy, with each film delving into a different horror sub-genre.
Since we already know about “The New Mutants”, here are five more upcoming “X-Men” that are in development.
2. “Gambit”
- Release Date: 7th June 2019
Yep, the “Gambit” movie is still going on even though it has been plagued by delay after delay. Channing Tatum will star as the Cajun mutant charmer. Rumour has it that the storyline is set during Gambit’s early years when he was still involved with the Thieves Guild and their rivals, the Assassins Guild. The heist film may see Gambit recruiting a team of individuals with superpowers to steal something precious from a person of power.
3. “X-Force”
- Release Date: TBA
This is speculative territory from here on now.
The Hollywood Reporter announced that “X-Force” will begin shooting later in October, making it the likely third “X-Men” film coming out next year. Written and directed by Drew Goddard (creator of “Marvel’s Daredevil”), the “Deadpool” spin-off will probably see the return of Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Josh Brolin as Cable.
For those that don’t know, X-Force is an aggressive counterpart to the X-Men team. They are a proactive mutant strike force that will go to any lengths in order to further the mutant agenda.
4. Untitled Kitty Pryde Movie
- Release Date: TBA
One of the secret projects that Fox is currently working on is under the codenamed “143”. Directed by Tim Miller (former “Deadpool” director) and adaptation by comic writer Brian Michael Bendis, “143” is believed to be a Kitty Pryde standalone movie. The theory is due to the fact that “Uncanny X-Men #143” was a 1981 X-Men comic book that centred on Kitty Pryde. The issue finds Kitty defending the X-Mansion from an attack by demons known as the N’Garai.
5. “X-23”
- Release Date: TBA
The breakout star in “Logan” was undoubtably Wolverine’s clone daughter, X-23. Filmmaker James Mangold previously confirmed that he is already working on a script for a “X-23” movie. “Patty (Jenkins)’s success with (Wonder Woman) only solidifies more for studios that there’s less to fear with a female protagonist,” Mangold says. “The more that keeps getting hit home, that ends up giving me more space turning around and going, ‘Well here we are with a female protagonist. That’s incredible. And what are we going to do with her?’ And that’s where we are with that (the Laura script) right now, dreaming,” he said.
6. “Multiple Man”
- Release Date: TBA
In November 2017, James Franco shared he was working on a possible R-rated “X-Men” spin-off. The handsome actor didn’t confirm what character he will be portraying but it is said to be Multiple Man/Jamie Madrox. In addition, “X-Men” producer Simon Kinberg and “Wonder Woman” writer Allen Heinberg have also been linked to “Multiple Man”.
Last but not least, other upcoming films from the franchise are of course, potential instalments and sequels to the current line-up.
Sources: ComicBook, Cinema Blend.
