Hello friends!

For better or worse, Simon Kinberg is getting heavily involved with X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Thanks to a report from Deadline, it's been confirmed the longtime X-Men writer/producer will both write and direct the latest chapter in the X-Men universe. Yeah, mixed emotions are had here as well. 

For many fans of the X-Men, this news probably stings a little. Kinberg has been a driving force of the franchise for years as either a writer or producer for every X-Men "team" movie since First Class back in 2011. Throw in the fact that he's written some really classic movies (Jumper, Fantastic Four (2015), Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith) and we could have a real shit storm brewing.

Now to his credit, Kinberg has created Star Wars: Rebels and he's also written a few episodes. Plus, as a producer he's had a hand in some great movies like Deadpool, The Martian and even a well-received TV show, Legion. Keeping all of that in mind, he has been involved in some really great projects. Unfortunately, the number of great versus bad is overwhelmingly in favor of the bad. So, let's just move on shall we?

In casting news, the report also confirms James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, and Kodi Smit-McPhee will return to fill out the roster of X-Men. Per THR, Jessica Chastain is in talks to play Lilandra who's the big bad of the film. Fans of the Dark Phoenix saga in the comics ought to like this. 

Does any else get the sense they're trying to shift to a more "Guardians of the Galaxy" tone? Cue the catchy tunes in the soundtrack. And thanks to another source, we might have an indication as to which songs we should expect. Prepare to get down with O.P.P. and lose your religion.

Thanks to Chris, from the more than credible Omega Underground, we also now that we're headed to back to the past. Or future. Whichever. 

X-Men: Dark Phoenix is set for release on November 2, 2018.