X-Men films have been hit and miss for some films after climbing out of the pit of darkness that was X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origin: Wolverine. While most fans loved Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class, some felt that last year's The Wolverine fell flat. But regardless of what you thought in the past, Days of Future Past is here to fix the X-Men franchise for good. But now that Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg and Matthew Vaughn have revived the near death franchise, what comes next? Read on to see where I think Fox and co should take the X-Men franchise after 2014!
X-Men: Apocalypse
As we already know, the next big screen appearance of Charles Xavier's gifted children will be in 2016 when the X-Men take on (arguably) their greatest foe, En Sabah Nur, Apocalypse. We've seen him on the big screen in Thanos-like fashion, being worshiped as a god at the end of Days of Future Past, and I wouldn't fancy my chances against ten year old Nur...
But who should take on the king of mutants? We know that director Bryan Singer has plans for Kurt Wagner (Nightcrawler) and it looks like 21 Jump Street's Channing Tatum will be joining them as Gambit. I'm taking it for granted that Nic Hoult's Hank McCoy will still be kicking around the school come 2016 and expect him to join the ensemble. But who else? Personally I want to see the rightful leader of the X-Men, Scott Summers, get a more faithful appearance on the big screen, but let's not have him lead the team just yet. Here's my (expected) lineup for the film, with the exception of (inevitable) Wolverine. And remember, I'm no pro when it comes to Photoshop
Xavier, Beast, Mystique, Quicksilver, Gambit and Nightcrawler
I also hope to see a young Jean and Scott begin to train but not take to the team until the end of the film, speaking of which, where should Apocalypse's sequel go? Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, I hope Fox end X-Men: Apocalypse All New X-Men style. For those of you unfamiliar:
All New X-Men was Marvel's rebranding of the X-Men under the Marvel Now release. In this storyline Beast brings the original team (still only young) forward to the present day to assist in the fight against present day Cyclops. Due to some good ol' science fiction bull the young team are forced to stay in the present, unable to go back.
The series is far and away the best X-Men book being released at the moment and would allow Fox to bring a younger team into the future, even assembling the original team of (young) Scott, Jean, Bobby, Hank and Warren; in my opinion it would give the franchise a breath of fresh air while offering a host of new storylines.
Enemies
If the mutants are to continue on after 2016 they're going to need a villain or two to keep the hoards of fans interested. Which should show up, here are my three most likely choices after Apocalypse is behind us:
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Anyone who knows comics know that two of the X-Men's most fearsome villains go hand in hand: Apocalypse and Mr Sinister. Nathaniel Essex has been a thorn in the X-Men's side for years ever since trading his bio weapon for mutant abilities. Essex has been responsible for multiple Phoenix incidents and played a huge part in Cyclops' origin story.
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As well as that we have on of the most powerful entities in the Marvel universe, Onslaught. The amalgamation of Professor X and Magneto into a monster with unlimited mutant abilities. Onslaught is made of pure energy and is as close to invincible as you can get.
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The Brotherhood of Mutants are the X-Men's quintessential enemy. Multiple mutants have moved back and forth between the two teams and while we've seen them in the present day X-Men films, don't be surprised if Magneto and his band of (not so) merry men show up to wreak havoc in the past.
Spin Offs
Oh yes, the (up until now) most damaging outing for Fox and the X-Men, a greater foe than any other: Spin off films! So far things haven't gone great when Fox have tried to off shoot from the X-Men but I expect (okay, as an optimistic fan, I hope) that to change. Who will take on the challenge of holding their own on the silver screen? Here's the most likely candidates in my eyes:
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I'm gonna be honest, I never thought I'd see the day that Gambit would get a solo film, but it looks like today is that day. Channing Tatum will be donning the purple hair band and picking up the wooden staff to play Remy LeBeau on the big screen. While it is a solo film of sorts, I expect to see other, more popular, mutants join him.
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Here's another one I never would have seen, but given the rise to fame Jennifer Lawrence has seen in the last three years I won't be shocked if the rumored Mystique film does come to light some time around 2018. Star power means a lot to Fox (just look at Hugh Jackman) and Lawrence will be Fox's biggest star should the Aussie ever decide to throw the claws in.
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Remember how I said I didn't expect the other two spin offs to ever come about? Well I've been waiting for a proper X-Force film since I was seven years old. And don't feed my any of the X-Men Origins bull, I want a gory blood fest with Wolverine, Cable and Deadpool as core members. Also, after Mystique's mysterious final scene in Days of Future Past I can see her being shoe horned in to make some extra money.
So I think that's about it from me, I need to sleep before I become delusional. What do you think? Am I on spot or should I stick to writing News articles? At the end of the day I guess I'm just one of many fans so take what you will from this. Sign off your thoughts on the future of Fox's Cinematic Universe below! And remember, that "Thumbs Up" button doesn't cost, it's free.
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