Superhero films are currently dominating the box office, with massive blockbusters released each year from major studios, primarily Marvel and DC. However, the early days of the superhero film renaissance in the 21st century can be traced back to the X-Men series produced by 20th Century Fox. Starting from the first film, X-Men (2000), to the most recent installment, X-Men: Apocalypse, Fox has grossed over $4 billion, establishing X-Men as one of the most significant franchises of the 21st century.
The latest film, titled Apocalypse, directed by Bryan Singer, earned $544 million, a significant drop compared to the $748 million of Days of Future Past. The main reason for this decline is attributed to the quality of the film’s content, as the alteration of the timeline in Days of Future Past made it difficult for viewers to connect with subsequent films. Coupled with the departure of many talented actors, the ongoing conflicts between the studio and stars have led Fox to seriously consider rebooting the entire franchise. Below are the key reasons that have prompted Fox to rethink its approach to the X-Men universe over the past 17 years.
1. Complicated Timeline
Deadpool is a fantastic film, but the timeline issues in the X-Men universe make it difficult for viewers to keep track. While Deadpool is set in the contemporary era, the main X-Men team is trapped in the past, specifically in the 1980s, while Logan and X-23 are in a distant future. Rebooting the entire franchise could help the characters interconnect more cohesively, eliminate logical inconsistencies, and create a more engaging narrative for audiences.
The first generation of characters in X-Men (2000)
2. Difficulty in Retaining Key Actors
The primary stars of the franchise, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence, have all completed their contracts with Fox. Compared to five years ago when these three first appeared in X-Men: First Class, their market value has significantly increased, and new film contracts have become increasingly challenging to negotiate. Jennifer has indicated that she would only participate if all three were involved, which makes it likely that two of the trio will not return if one opts out.
“Logan” marks Hugh Jackman’s final appearance as Wolverine
The loss of these major stars, particularly the iconic character Wolverine, has significantly impacted the franchise. The third film focusing on Wolverine, titled Logan, achieved record box office success compared to all other X-Men films and marked Hugh Jackman’s last portrayal in the X-Men universe. The development of new films focusing on different characters could allow Fox to save considerable costs and explore different storylines more fluidly.
3. Greater Focus on Other Characters
In light of the aforementioned challenges, Fox has opted to explore Deadpool as a fresh experiment within the superhero genre. The film exceeded expectations, grossing $782.6 million worldwide. The rapid progression toward Deadpool 2 began immediately after the success of the first film, with developments surrounding the character Gambit featuring Channing Tatum also gaining traction. This has highlighted a clear intention to draw audience interest towards different characters, not just the core X-Men team.
Deadpool is facing numerous challenges as the project moves forward
4. Challenges and Future Directions
Looking at the current state of the X-Men franchise, with many major stars gone and the complex timeline, Fox is determined to reboot the entire series. Director Tim Miller, who successfully directed Deadpool, has already pulled out of the Deadpool 2 project due to conflicts with star Ryan Reynolds and composer Tom Holkenborg.
The New Mutants will be the best future project for Fox
The most promising project for Fox at the moment is The New Mutants, a spin-off film introducing teenage superheroes related to several key characters from the X-Men series, aimed at establishing a connection with audiences. Director Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) is expected to start filming this new installment in the upcoming spring.
Many sources suggest that producer/writer Simon Kinberg is currently finalizing the script. Bryan Singer, who has been collaborating with Fox since the beginning, is unlikely to return. Fortunately, Channing Tatum is still committed to the Gambit project after completing his recent film, Logan Lucky, which will give Fox another chance to explore different storylines alongside Deadpool.
