Will
Legion connect to the
X-Men films? That's been the question from nearly day one, and we've received conflicting reports almost from the beginning. Bryan Singer said
the show would connect while
X-Men movie producer Lauren Shuler Donner more recently stated that the TV show would
take place in its "own, separate world."
In a new interview with Variety, series executive producer Noah Hawley provided further context, indicating that they're actually both right.
It seems
Legion may be another
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., in the sense that the show takes place within its parent cinematic universe - there just aren't any overt connections. "
I think it’s important for us to establish this as a fully realized world with fully realized characters. It does connect and it can connect, but I’m not relying on that. I have to prove myself. I have to prove that the show is good enough to incorporate those elements from the movie world, if that were ever possible."
Hawley also stated that the salary requirements for some of the actors to appear on the show is a major hurdle. "
It’s sort of a non-starter to say James McAvoy’s going to be in my show. I’m not saying never, but certainly not in the first year of it. You’d have to pay those guys so much money to begin with. You’d have to pay them movie money in a different medium."
It's likely that if the show proves as popular as some of FX's other primetime dramas (
American Horror Story, Sons of Anarchy, Justified, etc.) we'll probably see a cameo or two from the film universe, just don't expect Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence or James McAvoy to appear. But perhaps they'll be able to snag Patrick Stewart for a quick cameo?
Legion premieres February 8.