The final chapter of the X-Men: First Class saga is coming to a close with the first trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse. As it has been foretold by writer/producer Simon Kinberg, this will supposedly be the last time we may see the recent portrayals of Magneto (Michael Fassbender), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Beast (Nicholas Hoult), and Professor X (James McAvoy) in action. But fear not, because this teaser is packed full of classic mutants that could potentially take over the franchise.
It may be hard to believe a mutant world without Charles Xavier, but the X-Men franchise has survived without the professor before – in the comics and the ’90s animated series. With how unstable the franchise had become after X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, First Class and Days of Future Past have done an incredible job bringing the franchise back into the forefront of superhero films.
X-Men: Apocalypse hosts a slew of new faces playing familiar characters, including Scott Summers aka Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), Ororo Munro aka Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Warren Worthington III aka Angel (Ben Hardy), and Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee); all of whom could take on the mantle of the next group of mutants to hold down the franchise. There are also two new additions Marvel fans will be pleased to see join the X-Men Cinematic Universe such as Jubilation Lee aka Jubilee (Lana Condor) and Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock aka Psylocke (Olivia Munn). Evan Peters will also be returning as Pietro Maximoff aka Quicksilver.
As for the trailer itself, Apocalypse has always been one of the greatest threats to the X-Men and I am mostly excited by everything I have seen here. I’m curious to see how his world domination plans will affect our graduating First Class heroes and how their chapter will come to a close. Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina; Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Inside Llewyn Davis) is one of the best, working actors right now, but something has me worried about his role as Apocalypse. The makeup and outfit looks goofy as hell and super villain portrayals in film have never been that well regarded. I am keeping an open mind and I trust Bryan Singer with his direction.
Extended commentary:
- I’m concerned Sophie Turner’s American accent will be awkward since we know her best from Game of Thrones.
- Tye Sheridan looks like the perfect Scott Summers.
- Speaking of which, I wonder how they’ll address his relationship to his brother, Alex Summers aka Havok (Lucas Till).
- The new X-Men uniforms look pretty neat. It’s kind of funny how they’re more of an upgrade and sleeker than Singer’s first X-Men movie.
- Magneto looks like a wandering lumberjack. So angsty.
- Nightcrawler looks far better than his first look reveal in Entertainment Weekly.
- It will be interesting to see how they bring Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) back after Xavier wiped her mind.
- What are the odds that Wolverine appears?
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Here’s the motion poster that was released yesterday to tease the trailer:
Here’s the official plot synopsis for X-Men: Apocalypse, courtesy of 20th Century Fox:
Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshiped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.
Directed by Bryan Singer, X-Men: Apocalypse. The film is set to release on May 27, 2016.
Source: 20th Century Fox