Potential Directions for the Next X-Men Film from Director Bryan Singer

Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg make interesting comments on potential X-Men films of the future.

By Allie Z.Published 6 years ago • 13 min read

The 'X-Men' franchise appears to be expanding past the slated movies supposedly in pre-production. Currently, we have X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) to look forward to, then the potential X-Men: The New Mutants and Gambit solo film in upcoming years. But as of now, we have word from both Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg on another potential X-Men film in development. During the press junket for X-Men: Apocalypse, producer of the film, Simon Kinberg answered questions regarding his next project. And in doing so, Kinberg implicitly gave us confirmation of another 'X-Men' film in development. Kinberg's comments to ComingSoon, stated how the next film in the X-Men franchise will be set in the '90s. That being said, it means Kinberg and Singer have something else in mind for the X-Men franchise, other than the upcoming X-Men: The New Mutants, helmed by Josh Boone. To add to that, Bryan Singer has just given us the most revealing piece of information in his latest interview with Fandango. The implication of Singer's comments are vague but very important for the future of the X-Men franchise if Simon Kinberg and Bryan Singer have big plans for the X-Men franchise, currently unbeknownst to the public.

Bryan Singer has something else planned, outside of Josh Boone's X-Men: The New Mutants.

Boone's take on X-Men: The New Mutants will likely depart from the mainstream X-Men universe built around the new trilogy of X-Men films, beginning with X-Men: First Class (2011). Along with the film being set to feature a completely, different team of mutants, it's likely that the focal point of X-Men: The New Mutants will differ substantially from the focus of Simon Kinberg and Bryan Singer's next entry in the 'X-Men' franchise. Seeing is that Bryan Singer just opened up about the next 'X-Men' film in an interview with Fandango; providing another huge piece of information on his upcoming 'X-Men' film. Here's what Bryan Singer had to say, in regards to the future of the X-Men franchise.

That was something Simon [Kinberg] and I discussed a long time ago, all the way back to when I first pitched the studio on First Class -- that they do each movie in 10-year increments. It's a nice way for the audience to kind of keep track of the timeline, and it's fun to play in these different eras. So that's a good starting point. But we’ve also introduced the tenants of time travel, which already exists in the comic book. Also I imagine – and this is the first time I’ve actually answered the question this way – but another thing that’s been introduced in the comics is a big alien, interstellar tenant within the X-Men universe that hasn’t been explored. And to me, that might be kind of fun because I’m a huge Star Wars and Star Trek fan, and exploring the X-Men universe and being able to utilize that would be exciting, visually.

Like Apocalypse - like some of the imagery and characters and stakes [in that movie] - it's something we haven't seen before. If I'm going to be involved in a significant way, it has to be something different. Visually different and aesthetically different. So the '90s is a good jumping off point, but as we established in Days of Future Past and now with the formation of the X-Men - some characters in Apocalypse move towards their destinies. The characters who we knew from X-Men 1, 2 and 3. Meanwhile, some characters move in opposite directions. So it's somewhat limitless.

On that note, Bryan Singer is all but confirming his intent to direct the next X-Men film within the mainstream X-Men universe. And restating the known fact of X-Men: The New Mutants, being produced by Josh Boone, taking place on Earth, but in a different arena, away from the mainstream X-Men team, is evidence enough that Bryan Singer isn't adding to the potential storyline of X-Men: The New Mutants with his recent comments to Fandango. Meaning that Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg are working on another entry in the X-Men franchise, separate from the slated X-Men: The New Mutants. And with the newest tidbit shared by Bryan Singer on another potential X-Men film, we can determine which direction the new film will go in. The most plausible plot-thread to explore would be that of Jean Grey's Phoenix arc which would bring the Phoenix Force to the Earth, thus resulting in the Shi'Ar Empire making their presence known on Earth. However, there are a fair share of galactic-faring individuals who could be the focal point of Singer's next X-Men film, apart from the Shi'Ar Empire. Here are some of the more likely candidates from the cosmic region within the 'X-Men' universe, whom have potential to be at the center of Bryan Singer's next X-Men film, set to take place in space; as well as in the '90s.

1. The Shi'Ar Empire.

The Shi'Ar Empire first made their presence known in Marvel Comics, during a time of Civil War on the alien planet of Chandilar. In this time, Lilandra Neramani and her brother D'Ken fight on political forefronts to prevent the other from attaining the title of Magister/Magistrix of Chandilar. However, D'Ken wound up victorious in their competition. Wherein D'Ken chose to imprison Lilandra, on the grounds of treason; Lilandra then attempted to take the M'Kraan Crystal from D'Ken. The M'Kraan Crystal holds some massive cosmic elements within, and doesn't have a functionality, other than destroying the universe in the situation that the contents inside are ever released. Unknowing of its true nature, D'Ken planned on using the crystal to rule farther into the galaxy with the power of the M'Kraan Crystal at hand. But the only real power of the M'Krann Crystal is to restrain various types of energies, including the Phoneix Force. Lilandra escaped from D'Ken by taking a small starship, in search of heroes to help her. And at that point, she took notice of Charles Xavier. People of the Shi'Ar Empire, inclding Lilandra, are capable of telepathy, just as some mutants of Earth are, which is how Lilandra was able to locate Charles Xavier. Feeling his telepathic strength on Earth, Lilandra sought him out for assistance in dealing with D'Ken. She'd known that Charles Xavier would be willing to help if he learned of the nature of the M'Kraan Crystal, and the potential of the crystal to destroy the entire universe. Charles Xavier obliged, by gathering his mutant team of X-Men to assist in the galactic conflict.

The intergalactic conflict of the Shi'Ar Empire may be the focus of Bryan Singer's next film in the X-Men franchise, if Singer chooses to pursue interstellar elements, while sending his mutant team of X-Men off-planet, in order to save the universe. In the scenario that both Director, Bryan Singer and Producer, Simon Kinberg choose to pursue potential plot-threads within the Shi'Ar Empire, that would also coincide with recent theories of Jean Grey having her Phoenix arc fully explored in the next 'X-Men' film.

The Phoenix story arc is known to originate from the Shi'Ar Empire, as the Phoenix Force which resides within Jean Grey, was originally inhabited by an individual of the Shi'Ar Empire whom chose to imprison the power of the Phoenix Force inside of the M'Kraan Crystal. The Phoenix Force wasn't detained for long, before it found another host in Jean Grey. With the potential connection being established between Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force of the Shi'Ar Empire, we could see Sophie Turner of X-Men: Apocalypse returning to reprise her role of Jean Grey on a much larger scale, in becoming the Phoenix or Dark Phoenix, if the story takes a grimmer tone; potentially depicting the death of Jean Grey, in place of another taking on the Phoenix Force.

2. Corsair and the Starjammers of Shi'Ar.

Corsair, otherwise known as Christopher Summers; the father to Scott Summers/Cyclops and Alex Summers/Havok may be the focal point of Bryan Singer's next X-Men film. The family lineage of the Summers has been touched upon with both Scott and Alex Summers being present in the current events of the X-Men universe. As well as the cameo from Scott's genetic son, Nate Grey in X-Men: Apocalypse, there's also room for their father, Christopher Summers a.k.a. Corsair to make his return to Earth.

In Marvel Comics, Christopher Summers and his family were shot out of the sky by a Shi'Ar Empire ship for an unknown reason. During this event, Scott and Alex Summers are thrown out of the plane in parachutes, while Christopher Summers and his wife, Katherine Summers awaited for their imminent deaths. However, the two were fortunate enough to survive the crash of their plane. But the story didn't end there for the Summers. Christopher and Katherine Summers were taken captive by Emperor D'Ken of Shi'Ar. Wherein, Katherine Summers was being held as a part of the slave mistresses to be used by Emperor D'Ken. Christopher Summers was able to find where his wife was being held captive by Emperor D'Ken, imminently before D'Ken chose to end the life of Katherine Summers, by ripping the unborn fetus from her body, resulting in her death. Thereafter, Christopher Summers was sold by Emperor D'Ken into a galactic slave-trade, where he resided as a prisoner until he was able to steal a Starjammer, spaceship. From there, Christopher Summers decided on going by the moniker of Corsair, while forming the pirate group known as 'The Starjammers'. Eventually Christopher Summers a.k.a. Corsair is reunited with the rest of his living family, Alex and Scott Summers, when the X-Men ventured into intergalactic space to repair the broken M'Kraan Crystal. Although, the meeting between Summers wasn't a happy family reunion.

There's definitely potential for Corsair to show up on Earth to meet with Scott and Alex Summers. And he could very well be the cause for the X-Men to venture into space. Accounting for Jean Grey potentially having issues controlling the Phoenix Force within her, and the new knowledge of the M'Kraan Crystal being damaged, there may be a causal reaction between the two, which would require the X-Men to involve themselves in the interstellar disputes of the Shi'Ar. Finding themselves in the presence of the Shi'Ar Empire, in an effort to help Jean Grey with control of the Phoenix Force, as well as putting a stop to Emperor D'Ken, before he gets the opportunity to destroy the universe with the M'Kraan Crystal. There's also potential here for even more members of the Summers family to appear. Corsair never learned of his third-born son in Gabriel Summers, as it appeared as though D'Ken killed the unborn child within Katherine Summers. But D'Ken chose to incubate the child, which he then sold into slavery. Gabriel Summers grew up to take on the mutant code-name of Vulcan when he was brought to Earth.

3. Mojo or Mojo II

Now the idea of Mojo wouldn't be particularly popular in the X-Men universe, despite putting on an interesting sMojopectacle if he chooses to use the X-Men as the subject of his intergalactic programming. Within Marvel Comics, Mojo has been known to broadcast the adventures of the X-Men to viewers around the galaxy through his trademarked Mojovision. Apparently, the exploits of the X-Men were very entertaining. To the point, that Mojo even gave Betsy Braddock a.k.a. Psylocke, a pair of cybernetic eyes, to which he used to view the adventures of the X-Men, in order to broadcast their adventures to the rest of the galaxy. After gaining footage of the X-Men from Psylocke's transmitting eyes, Mojo then attempted to capture the X-Men, but was foiled by another team of mutants, the New Mutants. The team of New Mutants were able to rescue Psylocke from the grasp of Mojo, as well as gaining the mind-wiped Longshot as a new member of their team of New Mutants.

Despite the difference in tone being taken by Josh Boone in X-Men: The New Mutants, and Bryan Singer's comments on his next X-Men film taking place in space, they may both be talking of the same film. Noting Singer's intent to take the X-Men to space, he could have been referring to the mutant team of New Mutants going to space, to take on the Mojo of the Mojoverse. There's more plausibility in Singer referencing a completely different X-Men film. But in the scenario that Singer is intending for Josh Boone's take on X-Men: The New Mutants to go to space, what is Singer's role in the production of the film? Could Bryan Singer be directing X-Men: The New Mutants, alongside of Josh Boone?

4. Gabriel Summers a.k.a. Vulcan

This Omega-level mutant could be the main villain of the next X-Men film, directed by Bryan Singer. Gabriel Summers a.k.a. Vulcan, was originally carved out to be only a slave in the vast expanse of space by Emperor D'Ken of the Shi'Ar Empire. But having his father's genetics imbuing him with mutant abilities, it was easy for Gabriel Summers to escape from his captors and become Vulcan. Originally, Gabriel Summers was the unborn child of Katherine and Christopher Summers, parents to Scott Summers a.k.a. Cyclops and Alex Summers a.k.a. Havoc. No member of the Summers family knew of Gabriel's existence until he found himself on Earth. Gabriel Summers was presumed dead when Emperor D'Ken ripped him from his mother's womb, killing her in the process. Gabriel did survive, and was placed into an accelerated growing chamber to the ripe age of adolescence. Then, he was sent to Earth to become a slave for Davan Shakari a.k.a. Eric The Red. Davan Shakari is the extension of Shi'Ar existent on Earth. Emperor D'Ken had Shakari sent to Earth to continue his venturing of galactic conquests. Although neither of them expected the result of Gabriel Summers returning to Earth, to come with disastrous consequences for their cause.

Gabriel had no memories of where he came from or who he was, as he was found by Moira McTaggart. Gabriel Summers later took on the title of Vulcan, alongside a team of mutants assembled by Moira McTaggart. The team consisted of Sway, Darwin, Petra, and Vulcan. The team made a statement in the X-Men universe by rescuing the X-Men from the living island, Krakoa. But in doing so, Vulcan and his team sacrificed their lives. In the end, Vulcan and Darwin were lauched into space with Krakoa to destroy its contents. However, that wouldn't be the end of Gabriel Summers a.k.a. Vulcan. The M-Day event which resulted in the mutant population on Earth being greatly affected, also revived Vulcan, as he lay sleeping in space. Upon his awakening, Vulcan was no longer the same. Returning to Earth, Vulcan killed Banshee and attempted to kill Wolverine as well, but later set his sights on kidnapping Scott Summers a.k.a. Cyclops and Rachel Summers a.k.a. Marvel Girl. Marvel Girl was able to tap into the sub-conscious mind of Vulcan to retrieve all the lost memories within him, at the same time, weakening him enough for the X-Men to defeat him. However, for an Omega-level mutant like Vulcan, he was easily staved off their attacks and fled into space. But having his memories restored, as well as being shown the events which led to his mother's death, Vulcan was given a clear picture of the person responsible for his mother's death, Emperor D'Ken. It was there Vulcan set out on a revenge mission against Emperor D'Ken, to which he was unsuccessful in, as D'Ken had been placed in a coma. Vulcan then took out his frustrations on Empress Lilandra, whom was the ruler of Shi'Ar Empire at the time.

As to how Vulcan could play into a future X-Men film is yet to be seen, but if Gabriel Summers a.k.a. Vulcan is introduced on Earth as a part of Moira McTaggart's new mutant team, he may already be in place to take on the role of a villain in future X-Men films. There are some mutant cameos already in place in X-Men: Apocalypse, as well as the addition of Moira McTaggart (Rose Byrne) to the cast; there's plenty of room for Gabriel Summers to get a cameo as well. He may even be a young mutant introduced to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters during X-Men: Apocalypse, alongside the confirmed addition of Nate Grey, in cameo appearance only. Moira McTaggart has a pivotal role in X-Men: Apocalypse, and she may have knowledge of more mutants than Charles Xavier knows of, including Vulcan. In that scenario, Vulcan would still need to die at some point for him to take on the role of a villain in future X-Men films. But there's still a possibility for those events to occur.

Those are some of the potential, alien/cosmic individuals whom could appear on Earth, in the scenario that Bryan Singer does intend for his next entry in the X-Men franchise to branch out into a space adventure of some sort. Bryan Singer hasn't confirmed anything in regards to production of a new X-Men film. And we can place X-Men: The New Mutants aside as a possibility for Bryan Singer's mention of an X-Men film taking place in space, seeing is how Josh Boone is set to direct that film on Earth. Which more than gives us reason to believe Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg of X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) are working on an entirely new X-Men film, set to take place in space, apart from the slated feature of X-Men: The New Mutants.

Here are some of the cosmic characters of the X-Men universe, whom may have a part in Bryan Singer's prospective X-Men film as well.