10 Storylines Fox Needs To Consider For The Next X-MEN Movie After The Mixed Response To APOCALYPSE
Even the positive reviews for X-Men: Apocalypse seem to be struggling to find something nice to say, so where should the franchise go next to return to its former glory? These are the ten likeliest options...
The franchise is far from doomed, but 20th Century Fox has spent a lot of money on this movie and are expecting a big return. If they don't get that, then the studio will no doubt want to start thinking about some sort of shake up with the next X-Men movie, whether that's in terms of who works on it behind the scenes or the story they end up adapting (apocalyptic action may not be a good fit for this world).
So, with all of that in mind, which classic comic book stories should follow X-Men: Apocalypse? What you'll find here is a look at the ten best possible options, and those which are ultimately the most likely candidates as Fox looks to win back fans after seemingly dropping the ball with their latest effort...
10. Deadly Genesis
Just like Ed Brubaker's work shook up the Captain America franchise when Marvel adapted The Winter Soldier, Deadly Genesis could do equally big things for the X-Men. The story revealed that before putting together the team of X-Men which included the likes of Wolverine and Storm, Professor X had assembled another group of mutants which included Cyclops' brother Vulcan.
They all died during their first mission, but when it was revealed that Vulcan was alive, he returned to Earth seeking vengeance. The story ended when Cyclops banished Professor Xavier from the X-Mansion as punishment, leaving him as the new leader of the X-Men, a fresh new status quo for the movies which, let's face it, is needed now (especially after so many years focusing on Charles and Erik).
9. Return of the King
Magneto has been flip flopping between being a good and bad guy for years now, ending up in prison or deciding to retire every time he comes close to assembling his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. In Ultimate X-Men story arc Return of the King, the Master of Magnetism decides that enough is enough and prepares to destroy the Earth in order to remake it in his image.
With powers amplified thanks to a machine built by Forge, the X-Men came together to take Magneto down, and this arc was so good that the series was never quite able to live up to it after. While it's fair to say that we've seen enough of Magneto by now, an adaptation like this would at least send him off in epic fashion.
8. E Is For Extinction
Written by Grant Morrison, this New X-Men arc was in places every bit as baffling as the rest of his run. However, there's elements here and from other parts of the series which would work really well on the big screen. Among them is Scott Summer's affair with Emma Frost, the mystery surrounding the mega powerful Xorn, and the revelation that Charles Xavier has a twin sister made up of psychic energy who he killed in the womb.
Beast's secondary mutation would also be fun to explore, and just like E Is For Extinction freshened up these characters at a time they were beginning to feel stale, borrowing from this arc could have the same affect on the team's movies (providing it doesn't lead to the return of more black leather that is).
7. House Of M
Bryan Singer still hasn't introduced the Scarlet Witch in the X-Men Universe, but given how well-received Elizabeth Olsen's version has been in the MCU, you can understand why that might be. However, something Fox can do which Marvel can't is an adaptation of House of M.
While that tale featured a lot of Avengers characters, Wolverine was (of course) the main focus, as was Magneto and his family after this alternate reality essentially turned them into the world's royal family. Exploring a world where mutants are the dominant species and Magneto rules over everything has a ton of potential, while seeing that "No More Mutants" scene brought to the big screen would be amazing.
6. Mutant Massacre
Arguably one of the most iconic X-Men crossovers of all-time, Mutant Massacre introduced the sewer dwelling Morlocks and featured Mr. Sinister sending in his group of Marauders to wipe them out.
If Fox is willing to push Gambit back a little further, he could be introduced here as that villain's right hand man, and while a loose adaptation would probably work a little better than one which sticks too closely to the source material, Sinister being brought to the big screen is long overdue. Seeing the X-Men pushed to their limits (many of them were gravely wounded here) would be great, and as Magneto also played a big role in the story, Fox could bring back Fassbender!
5. Broodfall
After taking on a threat as great as Apocalypse, it's hard to imagine where the X-Men franchise can go next. An alien invasion movie could work though, and that's where the Brood come in! Broodfall was packed full of cool fights and character drama, while the sight of Wolverine attempting to fight off the infection which would turn him into one of them remains memorable to this very day.
Adapting a story like this could take the next movie in a very different and unexpected direction as it would include elements of sci-fi and horror. That would make it a darker and more mature tale, and small enough in scale to keep things a little more personal and grounded than X-Men: Apocalypse sounds.
4. Avengers Vs. X-Men
I'll admit that this is unlikely, but if the negative reviews for X-Men: Apocalypse have a significantly negative impact on its box office takings (bear in mind that Fox spent over $250 million on this movie in the hope it will make $1 billion), the studio may want to consider making a Spider-Man style deal with Marvel Studios to salvage this franchise.
Pitting select memebers of The Avengers and X-Men against each other in some sort of inter-dimensional Secret Wars type crossover would be nothing short of mind-blowing, and the kind of comic book adaptation which stands a chance of cracking that coveted $2 billion mark. Again, this probably won't happen, but it's a nice thought!
3. The Dark Phoenix Saga
After taking on a threat as big as Apocalypse, it's hard to imagine where the X-Men can go next. Well, how about outer space? Exploring the cosmic side of their adventures would be awesome, especially if it led to the introduction of the Shi'ar Empire, and that's something a more faithful adaptation of the Dark Phoenix Saga could lead to.
Reviews for the latest instalment of the franchise have indicated that it goes some way in setting up this story arc, while both Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg have expressed interest in doing this justice after the disappointing X-Men: The Last Stand. Regardless of who adapts it though, this has the potential to be the best X-Men movie yet.
2. Schism
Just like Captain America: Civil War divided the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice pit two DC Comics icons against each other, the X-Men franchise could very easily follow in their footsteps by loosely adapting Schism. The story featured the X-Men split in two, with Cyclops and Wolverine's friendship completely obliterated as they went to war with each other and fought for control of the team.
The tricky thing here is this; do audiences want to see Hugh Jackman pitted against James Marsden, or Tye Sheridan going up against a new actor in the role? That's something Fox will need to figure out, but Schism has all the makings of an awesome movie.
1. Astonishing X-Men
X-Men: The Last Stand already borrowed the "Cure" element from Joss Whedon's incredible Astonishing X-Men run, and there's really no need to bring that back to the big screen. However, setting the action on the alien Breakworld and utilising Ord as a big bad would work very well, as would the team's decision to step out of the shadows, ditch their bland leather costumes, and finally suit up so they can be seen by the world as superheroes.
Throw in other Whedon created characters like Danger (the Danger Room brought to life), and we could be in for a real treat here, especially if by some miracle Fox managed to get the filmmaker to either write or direct this particular adaptation. However, that's probably just wishful thinking on my part...
Tell us, which of these X-Men storylines would you like to see brought to the big screen next? Have we missed any of your favourites? As always, let us know in the usual place.