20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for the last, proper X-Men film, Dark Phoenix. What is most interesting and disturbing, depending on one’s point of view, about the trailer’s release is the reaction from fans. While some enjoy it, and look forward to the X-Men film, others are reacting with indifference or downright negativity. This is somewhat baffling to witness and is evidence of how divided fans and our culture at large has become. We’re seeing this everywhere with vitriol hurled at Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, DC, the MCU and other franchises for many reasons. But the negativity towards Dark Phoenix before the film has come out is just going overboard.
There are many reasons to be skeptical for the upcoming superhero film and it’s not just because the director is a newbie. The film essentially retells a major subplot from X-Men: The Last Stand, which adapted parts of the famous and beloved Dark Phoenix story from the comics. However, the film was subpar and the trailer to Dark Phoenix uncomfortably reminds some of that film. While this is unavoidable, the new film will focus on the Dark Phoenix story and Jean Grey’s struggle. True, it won’t be a beat-by-beat adaptation of the comic book story, but what live-action adaptation of a comic book story is completely faithful? A couple of them are considered among the best superhero films of all time.
Then there is the anger that some have towards Fox for being neglectful towards the X-Men franchise. Fox’s track record with the X-Men films is admittedly mixed. For every Logan there is an X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The last X-Men film, X-Men: Apocalypse was not received well, though personally, I thought it was enjoyable and had an epic tone in its last act. The poor reaction to X-Men: Apocalypse has fed the negativity toward X-Men films going forward.
But we have to give the studio some credit. If not for them, the superhero films as we know it would not exist. Kevin Feige, the Marvel Studios guru, got his start in superhero films with the Fox X-Men films. He gained valuable insight and experience that helped him launch the successful MCU. Also, Fox released high-quality productions like Logan, Deadpool and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Still, many feel that the Fox X-Men films have run their course and a much-needed break is due. Or rather a radical reboot that is faithful to the comic books, which Marvel Studios can only produce.
As we all know, Marvel Studios will reboot the X-Men films since Disney has acquired the film rights to the X-Men. At this point, many are more than ready to move on from the Fox version of the X-Men and are eager to see how Marvel Studios reimagines and recasts the X-Men films. For them, Dark Phoenix feels redundant and think “what’s the point?” of this film since the Fox X-Men franchise is coming to an end. Some are angered that based on what is known about Dark Phoenix and some negative early screening reactions that the film is destined to be a stinker and don’t feel the need to see it.
This is unfair towards the film and the efforts of the cast and crew. In the end, it may wind up being as bad as many believe and a terrible way to end the Fox X-Men films. However, it’s best to keep an open mind and being objective towards this film. Hopefully, it can be a decent wrap up of the X-Men saga. After all, it will be the last X-Men film for a while given Marvel Studios’ crowded plate.
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Totally agree, the negativity towards Dark Phoenix before its even released is staggering. Sadly it mirrors a lot of division in fan circles that also include Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr Who, ect, ect. I still don’t see why. Sure, there are hints of Last Stand, but Dark Phoenix looks set to be very different. I’ve enjoyed most of the Fox X-Men films so far, and I hope this movie rounds off the series. The hate directed at this film baffles me, after all, without the first X-Men movie from Fox, we could argue that if that movie hadn’t been such a huge success we might not have had the plethora of Superhero movies (especially team / ensemble superhero movies) which we now currently enjoy from the MCU and the DCEU. I for one will be looking forward to seeing Dark Phoenix as well š
Thanks for your thoughts, I agree completely. Yes, some of the films were missteps but on the whole the Fox X-Men films were enjoyable and at times great.
People should just relax and see how the concluding film turns out. If it’s good then terrific we get a nice sendoff. If not then at least it’s over and we’ll have the MCU reboot to look forward to
That’s right. I hope people give Dark Phoenix a chance at least. Either way, with the MCU reboot on the way down the line, seems like a win-win situation to me š
With all the negativity towards Fox’s X-Men of late it was great and refreshing to read this more balanced opinion. The majority pretty much wrote off Dark Phoenix the moment the Disney deal was announced but as you rightly point out it’s the success of the first X-Men that paved the way for everything else. The production issues that have plagued Dark Phoenix are a little worrying but we’ll see what we get in June. If it’s at the very least enjoyable then that’s fine. If not, the X-Men will be back under the Marvel Studios banner.
Thank you! Given what we know Dark Phoenix may wind up being terrible maybe as bad as Fant4stic if some unnamed sources are to be believed. But the trailers make the film look decent, though we can’t go by trailers as to the quality of the films.
The trailer made me more curious to see the final product and it may be surprisingly good or as bad as we feared.
Regardless, given the recent mixed critical reaction to Captain Marvel, we all can’t just automatically assume that the X-Men property will be great at Marvel Studios, they are not infallible. But we’ll see.
Indeed but at least we will see the X-Men on-screen again eventually. I’d personally prefer to see Marvel tackle Fantastic Four first though.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they do the FF first, which I also wish they should handle first because while we’ve had some great X-Men films there still isn’t a decent FF film and the property needs the MCU touch more than the X-Men.