Fox Sets Director and Returning Cast for X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX; Jessica Chastain in Talks to Play Villain

After much speculation, 20th Century Fox confirmed last month that the next main X-Men movie will re-adapt the “Dark Phoenix” storyline. The story was previously adapted in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, but it was crammed into a movie that was dealing with a mutant cure subplot and, frankly, didn’t do the original story justice. Since then, creatives involved with the franchise expressed interest in revisiting the storyline.

Now, we have confirmation of a director and cast. After months of rumors, Deadline confirms that Simon Kinberg will direct X-Men: Dark Phoenix. This will serve as Kinberg’s directorial debut, but he has served as a screenwriter and producer on multiple X-Men films, so he certainly knows the franchise well. How that will translate to actual directing remains to be seen.

As for the cast, Fox has closed deals for Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), James McAvoy (Professor X), and Nicholas Hoult (Beast) to reprise their roles once again. All four actors’ contracts, which were for three films, ran up with Apocalypse last year. Additionally, actors Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler) will also return, after their introductions in Apocalypse.

We also have details on a new character – the main villain. According to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, Jessica Chastain is indeed in talks to play the film’s big bad, Lilandra – which was previously speculated by Omega Underground. Lilandra is the empress of the alien empire called Shi’ar, and she “…leads the quest to imprison and execute Dark Phoenix, sending her into conflict with the X-Men.” This will mark the X-Men franchise’s first venture into cosmic territory.

Also, good news for fans: THR’s sources say that Kinberg and team’s new take on Dark Phoenix will be closer to the original story than The Last Stand‘s approach.

Stay tuned for more news as we have it. X-Men: Dark Phoenix is set to hit theaters on November 2nd, 2018.