It’s been nearly 20 years since Wolverine, Professor X, Gambit and the rest of the X-Men fought for mutant rights on the small screen. The underrated but beloved X-Men cartoon series may have only lasted five seasons, but it’s still alive in the hearts of comic book fans who want their favorite mutants in their living rooms on a weekly basis. Now, that’s finally happening (and it’s quite different from the previous projects put in development).
This is a big deal considering it’s the first co-production between Marvel and FOX, who have been performing a delicate balancing act with the X-Men and Marvel properties whose rights are held by two separate studios.
“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,” commented Jonathan Davis, president, creative affairs, 20th Century Fox Television. “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.”
A Variety report states that the as-of-yet untitled show will “focus on two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.” So while this may not have “X-Men!!!” plastered all over it, the world in which the characters from the X-Men universe exist will definitely be explored, it seems.
FOX Entertainment president David Madden gushed over the project to Variety:
“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. There’s comic book adventure, emotional and complicated relationships, and a rich, existing mythology from which to draw. With the brilliant production crew behind this project, it has all the makings of a big, fun and exciting new series.”
And of course, Bryan Singer will be involved, with the long-time director of the movie series serving as executive producer. Now we just need a really cool game based on this series, and we can enjoy the X-Men back on the small screen like it’s 1992 all over again.
(Via Variety)
