Dark Phoenix (also known as X-Men: Dark Phoenix) is a 2019 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics X-Men characters, produced by 20th Century Fox and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the twelfth installment in the X-Men film series, a direct sequel to X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), and the seventh and final installment in the main X-Men series. The film is written and directed by Simon Kinberg and stars an ensemble cast featuring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Jessica Chastain. In Dark Phoenix, the X-Men must face the full power of the Phoenix after a mission in space goes wrong.
After X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) erased the events of X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) from the series' timeline, Kinberg expressed interest in a new adaptation of Chris Claremont and John Byrne's "The Dark Phoenix Saga" in a future film that would be more faithful than his previous attempt with The Last Stand, which was not well received. The new adaptation was confirmed as a follow-up to Apocalypse in 2016. Kinberg signed on to make his directorial debut in June 2017, when the majority of the cast was set to return from Apocalypse. Filming began later that month in Montreal and was completed in October 2017; the entire third act was later reshot in late 2018 following poor test screenings. The film was dedicated to the memory of X-Men co-creator Stan Lee.
Dark Phoenix was theatrically released in the United States on June 7, 2019. The film received negative reviews from critics who described it as "boring" and criticized both the plot and character development, although the performances (particularly McAvoy and Turner) received some praise.[4][5] Many viewed the film as a disappointing and anticlimactic conclusion to the Fox X-Men series, and it is the worst-reviewed installment of the franchise according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Cast
- James McAvoy as Charles Xavier / Professor X:
A mutant pacifist, he founded Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.[6] Many of the characters in the film turn against Xavier as some of his decisions regarding Jean Grey's abilities are revealed. Director Simon Kinberg felt that the character always acts out of concern for the "greater good", though he may make some "misguided" choices at times. Kinberg hoped that each character would come across as having "a valid point of view" in the film.[7] - Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto:
A powerful mutant who can control magnetic fields and manipulate metal, he is Xavier's former best friend and often rival.[6] Magneto has formed a community of mutant refugees on the island of Genosha,[8] which Kinberg compared to Israel in it being a homeland where mutants can be safe.[9] - Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkhölme / Mystique:
A shape-shifting mutant and Xavier's adopted sister.[6] Lawrence described her role in the film as more maternal than previously, as she leads the younger X-Men.[10] The film continues growing the schism between Mystique and Xavier, with Mystique not approving of some of Xavier's methods, though Kinberg hoped that this would be more subtle in Dark Phoenix than in previous X-Men films. The film also sees the character change between appearing as Raven and Mystique more than previously, with each change having a specific meaning to the character and story. She continues to have feelings for Beast.[9] - Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy / Beast: A mutant with a beastly appearance and superhuman physical abilities. He is a teacher at Xavier's School and helps lead the younger X-Men. He continues to have feelings for Mystique.[6]
- Sophie Turner as Jean Grey / Phoenix:
An extremely powerful mutant with telepathic and telekinetic powers who is one of Xavier's most prized students.[6] The Phoenix entity is unleashed in the film, leading to a fight between the two personalities for control. Turner studied dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia for the role, particularly for scenes where she has to change from the vulnerable Jean to the confident Phoenix.[11]Kinberg said Turner has the lead role in the film, a first for the actress.[12] Summer Fontana portrays a young Jean Grey. - Tye Sheridan as Scott Summers / Cyclops:
A mutant who fires concussive optic beams. The film develops his relationship with Jean Grey, which director Simon Kinberg called "a huge part of the emotional core of the movie". This forces the character to become a leader in the film,as he becomes the most prominent character who holds on to hope as Jean becomes more unstable. - Alexandra Shipp as Ororo Munroe / Storm: An African mutant who can control the weather.
- Kodi Smit-McPhee as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler: A German mutant who can teleport.
- Evan Peters as Peter Maximoff / Quicksilver:
Magneto's mutant son who can move at superhuman speed.[14] Peters described the character as more mature and subdued in the film, being focused on using his abilities for good as a member of the X-Men.[15] - Jessica Chastain as Vuk:[The leader of a shape-shifting alien race known as the D'Bari who manipulates the Phoenix. Kinberg described her as "the devil on Jean's shoulder", while Chastain called her character "clinical".[17] Chastain also plays Margaret Smith, the woman Vuk impersonates.
