As we turn the page on the calendar year, it’s time to get a better glimpse of what’s to come on Fox’s upcoming film slate. For a couple of years, writers Mark Millar and Simon Kinberg have talked vaguely of Fox Studios’ intentions to broaden the scope of the X-Men and Fantastic Four cinematically. These are two enormous Marvel properties that they hold the theatrical rights to. Over the next couple of years they intend on expanding their film universe, much in the way that Marvel Studios has. Fantastic Four will be in theaters in August. While X-Men: Apocalypse is gearing up to shoot in just a few months for a 2016 release, which is gearing up to be a huge year for the studio. In 2016, they will have more comic book movies in theaters with three, than any of their competitors, including Marvel Studios.
In the past there have been talks of multiple spin-offs and eventual team-up films spawning from the X-Men and Fantastic Four movies. It is apparent that their plan is moving full-steam ahead. On February 12th, 2016 fans will be getting the film they never thought would happen with Deadpool, starring Ryan Reynolds. According to The Wrap, Fox has officially announced that the solo Gambit film will be in theaters October 7th, 2016. Channing Tatum will star as the mutant thief and presumably will have a role in X-Men Apocalypse as well. Now that the film has a greenlight, we can expect details about the cast and crew to begin flooding in soon.
Fantastic Four had it’s biggest public vote of confidence when Fox announced that not only were they moving ahead with its sequel, but they were actually moving the release date up a few months earlier. Up to this point, there has been zero marketing for their upcoming reboot. The lack of publicity combined with many changes to the Marvel canon, has many fans of the comics biting off their nails in nervousness. However, it seems that Fox executives have seen enough of the film to move ahead and plant their flag on June 2nd, 2017 for the Fantastic Four 2.
What hasn’t been disclosed is who will be taking over the franchise for the second installment. Director Josh Trank (Chronicle) will be presumably moving on to direct his Star Wars spin-off movie, unless he is able to squeeze it in beforehand. Even if he had the time to shoot it, he wouldn’t be available for the publicity tour afterwards, so it seems that him returning would be highly unlikely. Hopefully Fox already has the pieces in place for the sequel and we will be sure to bring them to you as they materialize.
After tantalizing fans of the hit video game franchise with the prospect of a feature film for years, it looks like it is happening…again. The film is starring and produced by Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and was originally slated to arrive in theaters this summer. This has the potential to be the best video game adaption ever, so hopefully they were taking their time to fine tune their script and direction. Crowds will be able to witness the hidden war between the Assassins and Templars on December 21st, 2016 in Assassin’s Creed.
The next few years has gotten even more filled with genre movies that are sure to bring joy and rage to geeks all over the world. Does this news excite you? What do you think this means for the future of the Fantastic Four? Will Channing Tatum surprise us as Gambit? Let us know on the comment boards, , , and !