Multiple news outlets are confirming that writer Simon Kinberg will make his directorial debut helming the next Fox X-Men Universe film.
Kinberg has had a long career in Hollywood and especially with Fox and the X-Men franchise. Starting with 2002’s X-Men: The Last Stand, Kinberg has written X-Men: Days of Future Past, Fantastic Four and X-Men: Apocalypse for Fox. He is also the creator of the Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels along with Carrie Beck and Dave Filoni. Kinberg has also written X-Men: Dark Phoenix as well.
In addition to the announcement of the director, it has been confirmed that the cast of X-Men Apocalypse will return for the direct sequel, which takes place in the 1990’s. This means that the principal cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, and Kodi Smit-McPhee are all returning. No word yet on whether Evan Peters will return as Quicksilver, but there is information that two-time Academy Award Nominee Jessica Chastain (The Zookeeper’s Wife) in is talks to take on the role of Shi’ar Empress Lilandra in the film.
Kinberg is also adding to his writing and directing duties for X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Kinberg will also produce X-Force and the New Mutants film. With both The Last Stand and Phoenix, this will be Kinberg’s second bite at the apple in trying to adapt the beloved Dark Phoenix Saga to the screen. We’ll see if he is up to the challenge.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Brought to you from The Super Powered Fancast on Twitter @superpoweredfan.