Things aren’t looking very good for Simon Kinberg’s Dark Phoenix. The film, based on Jean Grey’s alter-ego, finally devotes its undivided attention to the strongest mutant of all time, after her sporadic appearances in Bryan Singer’s X2, Brett Ratner’s X-Men: The Last Stand and Singer’s Days Of The Future Past. But here’s the big question – who is really invested in this film? Especially after the underwhelming X-Men: Apocalypse and Hugh Jackman’s departure from the franchise in a swansong as perfect as Logan? Will we be able to handle it if Dark Phoenix turns out to be mediocre?
After the events of X-Men: The Last Stand (in which Wolverine kills Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix) were erased in X-Men: Days Of The Future Past, it’s hard to not look at Dark Phoenix as just another contrivance worth $200 million. The X-Men franchise, that was kickstarted by the brilliant first film by Bryan Singer, has already released six films with two generations of A-list actors. And it’s difficult to take Dark Phoenix seriously, especially after the convenient ways in which the makers have killed and revived characters, in this series.
Sophie Turner will be reprising her role of Jean Grey, as she struggles to come to terms with her limitless power. Many X-Men fans would attest to the fact how the comics and the films have always had a strong subtext for teenage angst and fragile mental health. But with Dark Phoenix, it seems like that the studio has stretched the ‘inner demon’ narrative too far. To the point that it’s beginning to feel dated and exhausting.
For someone who has seen all six X-Men films, there’s little that looks appealing in the Dark Phoenix trailer. Even a cast comprising immensely watchable actors like James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence might find it difficult to pull fans to the theatre for this one. In spite of all the fury showcased in under three minutes, the trailer seems to be lacking fire in the belly. In spite of all the set pieces, the film hardly looks ambitious.
Here’s the trailer for Dark Phoenix:
Dark Phoenix will release on June 7.
