‘Dark Phoenix’: ‘X-Men’ Veteran Simon Kinberg Teases Galactic Elements

Production for the next installment in the X-Men franchise, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, is currently underway and first time director Simon Kinberg is set to take on one of the most iconic comic-book storylines with X-Men: Dark Phoenix — one with many galactic elements — and in a new interview TotalFilm, the director discussed interweaving those elements into the film.

Kinberg dished on the scale of the film and how that may differ from previous films in the franchise:

“[We must] find a way to ground it so it’s not too intergalactic.”

The director expressed how he wants the film to feel “human” and “emotional,” something previous installments of the franchise have done very well. Kinberg will aim to keep the film grounded even with the addition of the Shi’ar alien empire, a race of aliens that has yet to be explored in the X-Men films.

In addition to directing the film, Kinberg has written the script for X-Men: Dark Phoenix and will also produce the project alongside Hutch Parker and Lauren Schuler Donner. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Kodi-Smit McPhee and Alexandra Shipp have all been confirmed to reprise their roles. The film will also feature Jessica Chastian as the villainous Lilandra, the Empress of the Shi’ar Empire who attempts to imprison and execute Dark Phoenix, leading to a conflict with the X-Men.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix is currently slated to hit theaters November 2, 2018.

Source: Total Film (via X-MenFilms)