While X-Men: Apocalypse may have felt like was going for a major, trilogy capping sort of atmosphere, it was apparently the start of something greater. Not only is X-Men: Dark Phoenix looking to bring the famous comic arc the title implies to the big screen (and in proper fashion this time), it may be looking to do so in a big way. How big? Big enough that actor Olivia Munn has suggested that while she may or may not actually be in the movie, it might take the following route:
It's like a two parter, this movie.
The X-Men series is no stranger to epic stories over multiple films. But a two-installment run of the same story is something that the series has never attempted. Considering how epic Jean Grey's transformation into the Dark Phoenix happens to be, as well as its aftermath, the story naturally lends itself to at least two films. One half of the hypothetical X-Men: Dark Phoenix duology could focus on the increasing instability in Jean's mental state after using her powers on full blast at the end of X-Men: Apocalypse, while the other half would more than likely see the rebirth and heel turn of Jean and her newfound alter ego.
Then again, looking back at the vague "two parter" set-up that Olivia Munn has mentioned, there's another possibility at work. With Jean already using her Phoenix powers in X-Men: Apocalypse, there's a chance that the third film in the First Class trilogy just might have been part one. This would leave the second part of the story to be told in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which would introduce a new, still unspecified, antagonist to be played by Jessica Chastain, and a further-destabilized Jean going full Phoenix during the film. Either scenario could be in play, but we're betting that due to the fan reaction to X-Men: Apocalypse, this two-parter concept will be starting with the next film.
The question of whether Olivia Munn's Psylocke will be returning or not is yet again in the spotlight, courtesy of this information from a Collider interview with the actress. For as much hype as Munn's appearance as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse got, her role in the film's final cut was more of a supporting character than a new major leaguer in the X-Men universe. Though that may have been for a particular reason, as Simon Kinberg and Bryan Singer may have been building her character as part of the back bench, so that she could ascend to the forefront in later installments.
It bears repeating that, for now, Munn's X-Men role is heavily rumored, while not confirmed. So all of this talk of two movies should be taken with a grain of salt. The concrete facts put Olivia Munn in The LEGO Ninjago Movie, out in theaters now, and in Ocean's 8, which will hit on June 8, 2018. Meanwhile, X-Men: Dark Phoenix is penciled in for a November 2, 2018 release date. If you already knew that, you've either visited our upcoming X-Men release date or the 2018 release date schedules.
