We look at what we know about the future of FOX's own Marvel movie universe, from Apocalypse to Deadpool and beyond!
We won’t have to wait much longer for 20th Century Fox to give us a new superhero movie after X-Men: Days of Future Past. In less than a year’s time, we’ll get the Fantastic Four reboot, which will mark FOX’s first foray into superheroics outside of X-Men. Don’t expect any actual crossover between Fantastic Four and X-Men, but there's still plenty to excite fans of the Marvel Universe, including a newly announced Deadpoolmovie!
However you look at it, though, FOX suddenly has a Marvel superhero schedule that’s quite nearly as busy as Disney’s for the next few years. That’s fairly impressive. So, let’s take a look at what we already know, what we expect, and what we can reasonably speculate on.
Fantastic Four
August 7th, 2015
No real surprises, here. Chronicle’s Josh Trank will direct a Fantastic Four movie that consists of Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. This will be a “grounded” Fantastic Four origin story that seems to owe more to Marvel’s Ultimate Fantastic Fourcomics than Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. We know that Doctor Doom is one of the villains, and the Mole Man will make an appearance in some form, but other than that, story details are scarce.
Deadpool
February 12th, 2016
It looks like Ryan Reynolds will return as Deadpool and long-attached director Tim Miller will finally get a chance to bring the Merc With a Mouth to the screen. It’s already got a script (by Zombielandwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick), one that is almost universally beloved but would be admittedly difficult to push, but that February release date means that Fox will be more willing to take chances on a violent, ridiculous movie like this one.
For the full story of the Deadpool movie's long journey to the screen, click here. Want to watch some test footage of Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool? Click here.
X-Men: Apocalypse
May 27, 2016
Announced months before X-Men: Days of Future Past even hit theaters, the third (and likely final) chapter of the “First Class Trilogy" will bring the X-Men to the ‘80s. It could potentially feature members of both casts once again, and will introduce the X-Men to their most powerful foe yet, named, appropriately enough, Apocalypse. We've got plenty more on that guy right here.
It might also be filming back to back with...
Wolverine 3
March 3rd, 2017
Nothing is known about Wolverine 3 (or The Wolverine 2if you prefer), other than the fact that Hugh Jackman will be back as Logan and The Wolverine director James Mangold is hard at work on a story. We don’t think that Mr. Jackman’s recent Old Man Logan tease was meant for this film, especially since now he makes it sound like he’ll be back for other installments.
There is one other possibility, though.
The now likely apocryphal X-Men Origins: Wolverine introduced versions of Gambit and Deadpool that no longer exist or can be conveniently forgotten in the wake of X-Men: Days of Future Past. Could Wolverine 3 be used as a way to use the franchise’s most well-established face to introduce a marquee version of one of those characters?
A Wolverine/Deadpool or Wolverine/Gambit buddy movie would certainly be something new. But with the Deadpool movie now closer to reality than it's ever been, we can rule that approach out. With Wolverine 3potentially filming back-to-back with X-Men: Apocalypse (the film most likely to introduce Channing Tatum as Gambit), that would allow Tatum and Jackman plenty of opportunities to shoot more scenes together.
Fantastic Four 2
July 14th, 2017
It’s quite the vote of confidence to see that FOX locked up a release date for the Fantastic Four sequel even before the first film had officially gone into production. It’s entirely too early to speculate on this film in any capacity, BUT...if next year’s Fantastic Four movie underperforms and a second film simply isn’t in the cards, there is always the possibility that one of the other Marvel irons in FOX’s fire (X-Force, Gambit, or Mystique) could pinch hit. Which brings us to...
Mystery FOX Marvel Movie
July 13th, 2018
There’s compelling evidence to suggest that X-Force, Gambit, or Mystique could be the mystery Marvel film on FOX’s 2018 summer slate. Let’s break it down quickly:
Gambit
It’s all but certain that we’re going to meet Channing Tatum as Gambit in X-Men: Apocalypse. X-Men producer Lauren Shuler-Donner has made no secret about her love for the character, and it's going to happen sooner rather than later. How soon? Keep in mind that the X-Men films are bound to find themselves in dire need of a new heroic "face of the franchise" some time in the next five years.
Despite Hugh Jackman’s recent statements that his interest in Logan is “re-invigorated,” he won’t play the role forever. And by far, Logan will be the most difficult character to replace. A proven box-office draw like Tatum playing a sly, shady X-Man might be the way to go. Gambit's complex backstory would provide ample fodder for a solo movie.
X-Force
What does this have going for it? Simple! It already has a director and a script in place. Jeff Wadlow’s early X-Force draft was met with vocal approval from X-Force co-creator, Rob Liefeld. The X-Force movie would also introduce more potential Wolverine “replacements” in Cable and Deadpool, two charismatic good guys who operate close to the edge.
Plus, with all the time-travel going on in X-Men: Days of Future Past, and likely X-Men: Apocalypse, it’s only a matter of time before time-travelling badass Cable shows up. But now that Deadpoolis back on schedule, where does this leave X-Force?
Mystique
And no, we haven’t forgotten about the noises that FOX have been making about a potential Mystique solo film, either. The thing is, both Deadpool and X-Force already have scripts and directors in place, while Gambit has a leading man.
What's that? Mystique already has a leading lady? Well...the question of whether Jennifer Lawrence would want to continue on as a character that requires her to either be hidden behind layers of blue makeup and prosthetics for a chunk of the movie and be shape-shifted into other actors/actresses for other parts remains to be seen. This one seems the least likely of the bunch, but we'd gladly line up to see it.
What do you think? What else do you think can make it onto FOX's Marvel superhero calendar? Let us know!
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