The untitled Marvel/Fox project sounds a teensy bit like Stephen King’s “Firestarter,” with a pair of superpowered mutants on the run from government operatives. (Of course I’ve always secretly believed “Carrie” and “Firestarter” would never have existed had King not read Marvel’s X-Men comics.)
Masterminding the project is Matt Nix, the writer-producer whose earlier TV creations include “Complications,” “The Comedians,” “The Good Guys” and “Burn Notice.”
Does this new Fox/Marvel project suggest that another Fox/Marvel X-Men spin-off, Bryan Singer’s 1960s-set “Hellfire,” is not going forward? Marvel and Fox announced “Hellfire’s” development back in October and you can read all about it here.
The Fox projects are not to be confused with FX’s eight-episode “Legion” series, starring “Downton Abbey” lead Dan Stevens and based on the Marvel comics about Charles Xavier’s unstable mutant bastard David Haller.
Fox can't make an X-Men-related TV show without Disney's permission, and this announcement suggests to me that we're getting closer to the day when Magneto, Wolverine and Sue Storm will frolic alongside Phil Coulson, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Spider-Man in one big onscreen universe.
Press release!
FOX MAKES PUT PILOT COMMITMENT FOR NEW MARVEL ACTION-ADVENTURE SERIESLauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Matt Nix and Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory to Executive-Produce; Nix to Write Script
Marvel Television and 20th Century Fox Television to Co-Produce
FOX has made a put pilot commitment for a new Marvel action-adventure series, it was announced today by David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.
The UNTITLED FOX MARVEL PROJECT 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. The series will be produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television, with 20th Century Fox handling physical production.
“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,” said Madden. “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.”
“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,” added 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.”
“Marvel Television is thrilled to be co-producing with 20th Century Fox Television on our first project,” added Jeph Loeb, executive producer and Head of Marvel Television. “Matt’s a huge fan of ‘X-Men’ and his take on ‘X-Men,’ with its rich characters and high-stakes adventure, is exactly the show we want on FOX. It's a great team of creative producers who will be making something entirely unique.”
The UNTITLED FOX MARVEL PROJECT is a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television. Matt Nix (FOX’s upcoming APB, “Burn Notice”) will write the pilot script and serve as an executive producer. Lauren Shuler Donner (“X-Men: Apocalypse,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “The Wolverine”), Bryan Singer (“X-Men: Apocalypse,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”), Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Fantastic Four”), Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones”) and Jim Chory (“Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones”) serve as executive producers.
