The Future of X-Men Films After the 'Dark Phoenix' Saga

After the disappointment of Dark Phoenix, the X-Men film franchise has faced significant challenges in maintaining its relevance. This article explores the impact of Dark Phoenix on the future of the X-Men movies, delving into the legacy of the franchise and its potential direction.

The Legacy of Dark Phoenix

Dark Phoenix, released in 2019, was a significant gamble for 20th Century Fox. It was a partial remake of the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand, which, although not a critical darling, had a certain level of entertainment value. The film aimed to recapture the magic of the younger cast from X-Men: First Class (2011), but the execution fell short of expectations.

The casting choices, especially Sophie Turner in the role originally held by Famke Janssen, were widely criticized. The film's uneven nature, coupled with script issues and reshoots, contributed to its failure. Dark Phoenix grossed just $252 million on a budget of $200 million, resulting in a loss of $130 million once associated costs were removed. Its Rotten Tomatoes score of 22% is the lowest among the X-Men films.

Disney Takes the Reins

When Dark Phoenix was released, Disney had already acquired 20th Century Fox. This acquisition brought Dark Phoenix under the scrutiny of the Disney board, which likely saw it as a critical and commercial failure. Despite this, the film was theatrically released, possibly due to contractual obligations or the hope that it might generate interest in The New Mutants, a spin-off film set in the same universe.

The New Mutants: A Bittersweet Release

The New Mutants, released in March 2020 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, fared even worse. Though it finished filming in 2017 with a planned 2018 release date, its production was delayed due to changes in the film's storyline and the Disney acquisition. The film was released with a budget of $50 million, yet it grossed only $49 million, falling short of its projections. Its Rotten Tomatoes score of 36% further highlights its commercial and critical failures.

The X-Men Franchise in Transition

The failure of Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants has left the X-Men franchise in a state of flux. Disney's Marvel Studios, which has dominated the superhero film landscape with the Avengers franchise, might take control of the X-Men films to revitalize the series. However, any planned reboots or new stories will need to carefully consider both the critical and commercial aspects of their previous attempts.

The future of the X-Men franchise is uncertain. Critical and commercial failures have highlighted the need for a more cohesive strategy, focusing on character development, narrative coherence, and fan engagement. As the X-Men films continue to navigate this challenging period, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to changing audience expectations and the evolving landscape of the superhero genre.

Conclusion

The X-Men film series has faced significant challenges following the release of Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants. The future direction of these films will depend on whether they can learn from past mistakes and create a more engaging and commercially viable series. As Disney and Marvel Studios move forward, the X-Men franchise must find a way to reconnect with fans and establish a stronger narrative foundation.