Jessica Chastain rumored to play villain in ‘X-Men Dark Phoenix’
The THR and other sources are confirming the rumors that Jessica Chastain is indeed in talks to join the cast of X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the latest installment of Fox’s X-Men movie franchise set for cinemas next fall.
Chastain is reportedly in the running to play a villain named Lilandra in the action blockbuster, alongside already confirmed stars Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Nicholas Hoult who recently signed on reprise their roles in the franchise after their original three-picture deals expired (via The Hollywood Reporter).
In the comic books, Lilandra, the empress of an alien empire, who leads the quest to imprison and execute Dark Phoenix,
Dark Phoenix is a powerful manifestation of cosmic energy called the Phoenix Force which resonates in Jean Grey, enhancing her powers and making very dangerous and unpredictable. Sophie Turner will return to play Jean with Alexandra Shipp, Tye Sheridan and Kodi Smit-McPhee all back to play Storm, Cyclops, and the Nightcrawler respectively.
Chastain brings a big time resume of great roles and performances (The Martian, The Help and Zero Dark Thirty) so there’s hope that Lilandra is more than a disposable, cardboard villain.
Helming the project in his directorial debut is X-Men veteran Simon Kinberg, who will also write the story, based around the Dark Phoenix storyline from the early 1980s comic book.
Notably absent is Evan Peters as Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver, a fan favorite and source of comic relief in the two films he appeared in.
Filming is set to begin this month, so keep an eye out for more updates.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix will arrive in theaters on November 2, 2018.
