HERO OF THE WEEK: PHOENIX (Marvel)Real Name: Jean Grey
First Appearance: X-Men #1 (September, 1963)
Fight Club Ranking: #121
Featured Fights:
- vs BROTHERHOOD OF EVIL MUTANTS: X-Men #6 (Jul 1964)
- vs AHAB & THE HOUNDS: X-Men Annual #14 (1990)
- vs MAGNETO: X-Men #25 (Oct 1993)
- vs ONSLAUGHT: Onslaught: X-Men #1 (Aug 1996)
- vs EXECUTIONER: Marvel: Heroes & Legends #1 (Oct 1996)
- vs SHI'AR IMPERIAL GUARD: New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
- vs XORN: New X-Men #150 (Feb 2004)
I finally got around to watching the new Hellboy trailer, and as tempting as it is to talk about that, I'd just be echoing sentiments I already shared last year. I'd rather look ahead to something more exciting and positive, and in FOX's Dark Phoenix - there is tremendous hope in its great unknowns!
By and large this is being viewed as a swansong for the world begun with 2000's X-Men. The Disney acquisition of Fox Studios will be complete some time next year, and there's significant anticipation for how the X-Men will be renewed as part of Marvel Studios' shared cinematic universe.
That it's all seemingly ending on a cosmic stage with Phoenix seems perfect for blending the X-Men into the bigger Marvel picture, but the powers-that-be have repeatedly told fans there are no such plans, and I think it's probably best to assume there aren't. After all, it's very rare that Marvel films actually go for the jugular when it comes to world-building, or cool comic book-style surprises.
Truth be told, it's probably a good thing. For one: any future incorporation of the X-Men into the MCU should be well considered. More importantly: Dark Phoenix is a story that's part of its own continuum and should be watched and enjoyed by those terms. It warrants our undivided attention.
Of course, there's still plenty to speculate about within those parameters. Where there's Dark Phoenix, there's the emotionally charged confrontation with the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Given Bryan Singer's propensity for Star Trek, it seems hopeful that an intergalactic alien space empire might have a shot of making it to the big screen, and with Singer out of the director's chair - it might even be a fun, colourful experience, more in keeping with the highlight that was X-Men: First Class.
I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm getting excited for the prospect of Gladiator. There don't seem to be any powerhouses in the film's 1992 line-up, so the presumption that the uber-powerful praetor might square-off with Phoenix herself is a pretty enticing notion.
There isn't much of anything to support the notion that the X-Men will go up against aliens in Dark Phoenix. The regrettable X-Men: The Last Stand already told us Jean Grey's dark manifestation in the movies was psychological in nature. Yet, the assertion that next year's movie aims to do the story better justice inevitably leads one to think about what Chris Claremont and John Byrne put on the page. The ambiguity surrounding Colossus actor Daniel Cudmore's return also tickles at a Gladiator theory.
It feels like there's still so much unknown about Dark Phoenix - and that's exciting! I haven't loved everything about FOX's tenure as keepers of the X-Men, but their willingness to branch out into weird and wonderful extensions has been a thrill that distinguishes from Marvel's formulaic repetition. 2011's sleeper X-Men: First Class turned out to be an unlikely highlight for all superhero cinema. Movies like Deadpool and The Wolverine showed promise for where it was all going.
I'm looking forward to finding out more about Dark Phoenix in the new year, before it's theatrical release in July. Here's hoping it's worthy of providing our Hero of the Week!
By and large this is being viewed as a swansong for the world begun with 2000's X-Men. The Disney acquisition of Fox Studios will be complete some time next year, and there's significant anticipation for how the X-Men will be renewed as part of Marvel Studios' shared cinematic universe.
That it's all seemingly ending on a cosmic stage with Phoenix seems perfect for blending the X-Men into the bigger Marvel picture, but the powers-that-be have repeatedly told fans there are no such plans, and I think it's probably best to assume there aren't. After all, it's very rare that Marvel films actually go for the jugular when it comes to world-building, or cool comic book-style surprises.
Truth be told, it's probably a good thing. For one: any future incorporation of the X-Men into the MCU should be well considered. More importantly: Dark Phoenix is a story that's part of its own continuum and should be watched and enjoyed by those terms. It warrants our undivided attention.
Of course, there's still plenty to speculate about within those parameters. Where there's Dark Phoenix, there's the emotionally charged confrontation with the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Given Bryan Singer's propensity for Star Trek, it seems hopeful that an intergalactic alien space empire might have a shot of making it to the big screen, and with Singer out of the director's chair - it might even be a fun, colourful experience, more in keeping with the highlight that was X-Men: First Class.
I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm getting excited for the prospect of Gladiator. There don't seem to be any powerhouses in the film's 1992 line-up, so the presumption that the uber-powerful praetor might square-off with Phoenix herself is a pretty enticing notion.
There isn't much of anything to support the notion that the X-Men will go up against aliens in Dark Phoenix. The regrettable X-Men: The Last Stand already told us Jean Grey's dark manifestation in the movies was psychological in nature. Yet, the assertion that next year's movie aims to do the story better justice inevitably leads one to think about what Chris Claremont and John Byrne put on the page. The ambiguity surrounding Colossus actor Daniel Cudmore's return also tickles at a Gladiator theory.
It feels like there's still so much unknown about Dark Phoenix - and that's exciting! I haven't loved everything about FOX's tenure as keepers of the X-Men, but their willingness to branch out into weird and wonderful extensions has been a thrill that distinguishes from Marvel's formulaic repetition. 2011's sleeper X-Men: First Class turned out to be an unlikely highlight for all superhero cinema. Movies like Deadpool and The Wolverine showed promise for where it was all going.
I'm looking forward to finding out more about Dark Phoenix in the new year, before it's theatrical release in July. Here's hoping it's worthy of providing our Hero of the Week!
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