Here’s another exciting rumor that is confirmed! Back in October of last year,rumorsbegan to spread like wild fire that 20th Century Fox is planning a live-actionX-MenTV series that ties into their movie franchise. Now comes word that this is very true. Fox Television Group chairman and CEODana Waldenconfirms that Fox is close to getting the most famousMarvel mutantson the small screen. You can all let your breath out, as an announcement is coming soon!Dana Waldenhad this to say toTHR.
“[For] X-Men, we’re in negotiations with Marvel. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to announce something soon. We’re not closed on a deal yet but it’s something we’re definitely pursuing.”
While it may not be moving as fast as some would like, anX-MenTV series is inching closer to becoming a reality.Dana Waldenrevealed the news as part of Fox’s presentation at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour. It was previously reported that the pilot episode of this proposed series is being penned by firedStar Trek Beyondwriters Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne. They will share a ‘created by’ credit with24’sEvan Katzand Manny Coto. The later pair will be serving as showrunners.
20th Century Fox currently owns the franchise rights to theX-Menmovie series. And on that side of things, 7 feature films have already been released since 2000, with four more set for 2016 and 2017. These newest films include next year’sX-Men: Apocalypseand spinoffsDeadpoolandGambit, as well as 2017’s trilogy ending sequelWolverine 3, which will serve asHugh Jackman’sfinal rolein the entire franchise. While the live-action TV series is being planned, sources close to the deal say its far from being complete. Marvel owns the comic book rights, and has to sign off on the small screen endeavor.
Both the movie and comic book side of Marvel are housed at Disney, who currently have two of their own Marvel series airing on ABC withMarvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.andMarvel’s Agent Carter. They also haveMarvel’s Daredevilon Netflix, which will be followed by three more standalone series on the streaming giant over the next few years. It’s possible that Marvel won’t agree to theX-MenTV Series, as it is direct competition.Dana Waldenhad this to say about how the deal is being structured.
“The characters from the X-Men franchise are with Fox on the feature side so we won’t be including Marvel characters that are at ABC with Disney. This will be exclusively the franchise as it has existed at Fox.”
The goal is to have theX-MenTV show be a long-running series that goes on for many years. It will not be a limited event series like24: Live Another Day,The X-Filesrevival or the just announcedPrison Breakevent series. At this time, it isn’t known which mutants will be involved, but it has been rumored in the past that the series will be headlined byEvan Peters’sQuicksilverand an unnamedfemale Mutant. It sounds like we’ll know more soon.
