Mutants from the ‘X-Men’ franchise are set to make their way to the small screen very soon after the FOX network gave the green light for a pilot for a series based on the Marvel comics.
The project, which remains untitled, will revolve two parents who are forced to run from an unreceptive government and, sooner or later, join an underground group of mutants, who are forced to fight for their survival.
"Developing a Marvel property has been a top priority for the network — and we are so pleased with how Matt Nix has led us into this thrilling universe," FOX entertainment president David Madden told Variety.
‘Burn Notice’ TV series creator Matt Nix has signed on to write the script for the upcoming series; he will serve as executive producer as well. ‘X-Men’ movie veterans Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg have also joined the project.
“There’s comic book adventure, emotional and complicated relationships and a rich, existing mythology from which to draw,” Madden added. “With the brilliant production crew behind this project, it has all the makings of a big, fun and exciting new series.”
The action series, which was announced to be in negotiations last year, will become the first Marvel project for the network. On the other hand, FOX already has a handful of DC Comics adaptations, including ‘Gotham’ and ‘Lucifer.’
Jonathan Davis, president of creative affairs for 20th Century Fox Television, also released an official statement about the network’s upcoming ‘X-Men’ action series, expressing his excitement over the Marvel project.
“Working with Marvel on a television series for Fox has been a professional dream for our head of development, Michael Thorn, and all of us at the studio,” Davis stated. “Matt, Lauren, Bryan, Simon, Jeph and Jim are a powerhouse team of creative artists, and we can’t wait to get started on what will easily be one of this development season’s most exciting new projects.”
Similarly, Jeph Loeb, who is currently Marvel’s head of television, shared his eagerness for the company to work with FOX on their first collaboration. He also had positive words about Nix being the head writer for the upcoming series.
“Matt’s a huge fan of ‘X-Men’ and his take on ‘X-Men,’ with its rich characters and high-stakes adventure, is exactly the show we want on Fox,” Loeb commented. “It’s a great team of creative producers who will be making something entirely unique.”
Meanwhile, other channels have already made a move towards the adaptation of Marvel comics’ storylines, including those of ABC’s ‘Agents of Shields’ as well as ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Jessica Jones’ of Netflix.
In addition, a member of the X-Men is headed to the big screen soon as Kinberg confirmed that the ‘Gambit’ standalone movie could finally begin filming next year.
When asked about the progress of the ‘Gambit’ production team, Kinberg stated “we have great script on that and hope to shoot that movie at the beginning or spring of next year.”
