Even as talks continue regarding a merger of Disney and Fox, the latter is forging ahead with its successful X-Men franchise, premiering a first look at "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.
Sophie Turner graces the cover as a seemingly nude Jean Grey, save for the fire that looks set to burst from her very skin. Her hair is emblazoned and her skin cracking from the sheer strength of the force she's trying to contain. It's about as accurate a representation of the Phoenix Force that comic fans could have hoped to see from Fox.
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View StoryOne of the most beloved comic book stories in the history of superhero comics, "The Dark Phoenix Saga" took the X-Men into space where Jean Grey came face to fiery face with the cosmic force that is the Phoenix. For years, fans have been wanting Fox to adapt this story, but have been nervous about it at the same time.
The good news for those fans is it looks like new franchise director Simon Kinberg, who also wrote this screenplay, is familiar with the source material and looking to stick closely to it. Kinberg takes over directing duties from Bryan Singer, and confirms that the X-Men will be heading into space.
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View Story"Dark Phoenix" moves the story forward another decade, set in 1992, where the X-Men are beloved heroes now. James McAvoy, who plays Professor Xavior, told EW it promises to be "the most emotional X-Men we've done and the most pathos-driven."
"It's about the butterfly effect of this thing happening," Turner added. "What happens when the person you love the most falls into darkness?"
Entertainment Weekly's "First Look" explores all the big movies coming our way. That issue hits newsstands on Friday. "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" arrives in theaters Nov. 2, 2018.