Last week, reports emerged that X-Men: Dark Phoenix will finally embrace the cosmic side of Marvel’s mutant heroes. Now, it’s been confirmed: the Shi’ar are coming to Earth to take out Jean Grey, the young woman destined to become the Dark Phoenix. And according to a new report, Jessica Chastain is in talks to join the sequel as the X-Men’s latest adversary.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that Chastain is up for the role of the Shi’ar empress, Lilandra. Apparently the film is treating Lilandra as its main villain because she intends to imprison and execute Jean. In the original Phoenix Saga storyline by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. Lilandra was the love interest of Charles Xavier who received aid from the X-Men in her struggle with her insane brother, D’Ken. Once Jean became the Dark Phoenix, Lilandra led the Imperial Guard to Earth to deal with the threat after the Phoenix destroyed an inhabited planet.
It’s not clear if the film will depict Lilandra in a sympathetic light or explore her connection with Xavier in this storyline. If this movie is going to be more faithful to the Dark Phoenix arc, then the real villain is Jean and the battle will about saving her from herself.
THR also confirmed that Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Nicholas Hoult will all be back for X-Men: Dark Phoenix, but it’s unknown if their new deals include multiple films. Of course, Sophie Turner will be back as Jean Grey/Phoenix, with Tye Sheridan as Scott Summers/Cyclops, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler. Screenwriter Simon Kinberg will write and direct X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which will be released on November 2, 2018.
Are you excited to see Jessica Chastain join the X-Men franchise? Let us know in the comment section below!
Images:Â Columbia Pictures/Marvel Comics
