It looks as though Marvel’s X-Men could head to our TV screens in a brand-new series… but will our favourite mutants make the cut?
After the likes of Arrow and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. it seems that everyone is trying their hand at the TV superhero genre. We’ve seen Gotham, The Flash and even Constantine on our screens in the last few years. Now it looks as though it’s the X-Men’s turn.
According to TV Insider, Marvel’s X-Men might just end up with their own TV show… but that all depends on Marvel.
“[Fox Entertainment chairman Gary] Newman tells us that negotiations are under way to develop an X-Men series,” they reveal. “But here’s the slight complication: While sister production company 20th Century Fox controls the film rights to the X-Men characters, the comic itself is owned by Marvel, which is based at rival Disney. A live-action TV series requires Marvel’s blessing – and that has led to some delicate talks.”
Of course, 20th Century Fox already owns the movie rights to everybody’s favourite mutants. But when it comes to their own TV series, that’s an entirely different ballgame. Thankfully, it seems Marvel is open to the idea… at least, for now.
“It’s in negotiations,” Newman confirmed. “We’re cautiously optimistic, we had a good meeting with them. That will not be on a fast track creatively. This is just the deal, now we have to find the creative.”
Obviously, it’s going to have to be a pretty good deal if they’re going to turn heads at Marvel Studios. After all, an X-Men TV show would likely be in direct competition with their own television efforts. And with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter already out there, as well as the upcoming Netflix series’, that’s a lot of programming to go up against.
Of course, it’s not entirely implausible to see Marvel grant Fox their request… but I’m betting there will be some hefty restrictions on when and where the episodes are aired.
Although details remain a mystery about the upcoming show, The Hollywood Reporter adds that Star Trek 3 writer Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne will pen the series. And with a bit of help from producers Evan Katz and Manny Coto, it looks like they may be onto a winner.
But what does this all mean for the X-Men franchise?
Although I’d love to see a weekly Hugh Jackman show (I mean, who wouldn’t?), it’s likely that the most popular X-Men simply won’t make the cut. After all, high profile actors such as Jackman, McAvoy and Fassbender are unlikely to commit to a series.
Instead, it’s much more likely that we’ll see some of the lesser-known mutants take centre stage. And that could mean an exciting variety of new faces… and new powers. Of course, it might also introduce us to some even younger versions of the core X-Men group… perhaps even a teenage Charles Xavier. Although that’s probably wishful thinking.
Either way, this is a bold move by Fox and could see the X-Men franchise spread out into uncharted territory. Let’s just hope Jackman is up for a cameo somewhere.
Would you like to see an X-Men TV series? Which mutants should they bring to the small screen? Let us know what you think in the comments below…
