Bryan Singer announces that X-MEN: APOCALYPSE will hit theaters in 2016

Bryan Singer announces that X-MEN: APOCALYPSE will hit theaters in 2016

Well, talk about an announcement out of left field.  This week, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST director Bryan Singer shocked the world with a simple, three-word tweet:

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For comic book fans, there was a collective “gasp” and then a loud celebration the world over.  Ok, so I may be exaggerating there, but Apocalypse is one of the X-Men’s most dangerous foes and visually stunning to boot. I mean, just look at the guy:

apocalypse

For those who are not familiar with this young, pretty boy, Apocalypse, also known as En Sabah Nur, is widely considered the first mutant, born over 5,000 years ago in Egypt.  He is extremely intelligent, powerful, and aided by his alien technology armor and his four horsemen (Pestilence, War, Famine and Death), he has been a thorn in the X-Men’s side many, many times.  It is quite hard to fully summarize his history, so feel free to take an afternoon and check out his history here at his official Marvel Wiki page.

Now, as we move on with the rest of this article, there are potential SPOILERS so if you do not want to have anything ruined for you or like being kept in the dark as much as possible, do not read any further.

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Still here?  Good.  Ok, so to start, First Showing believes that they have uncovered how X:DOFP will tie into X:A with their credits stinger (an absolute must now in comic-book movies):

…the credits bumper jumps back to the past with a young Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) in a ramshackle house in the desert eating dinner, clearly on the run from all the authorities who want to bring him down. While using a well outside to get some water, the young Magneto sees something fall from the night sky and crash to Earth nearby. Upon inspecting the impact zone, he encounters what is described as an “alien form” who is “towering, terrifying, with a twisted metal face and dark pits for eyes.” It’s Apocalypse and he says, “I have crossed rivers of time to find you.” Magneto asks, “Who are you?”

The alien responds, “I am your future.” Suddenly Apocalypse merges with Magneto, who screams and blasts an insane amount of energy and shockwaves around him. This energy explosion levels everything around him, with a blast radius that goes for miles. As Magneto looks at what he’s done, he has a realization of the power he now holds and a villainous grin begins to form before the film cuts to black.

If you are at all familiar with Apocalypse (or took the time to read his Wiki), you will know this is a bit of a departure from the comics, but to be honest, a lot in the X-Men films has been a bit of a departure (sarcasm laid on heavily) from the comics, but just as writers of comics are allowed to change things, offer alternate timelines, etc., there is nothing that says that the same can’t be done for the films.  The films are not part of the 616 universe, so there is no reason that they have to follow the comics.  The only issue many have is that even the movies themselves have a very convoluted timeline.  Many insiders, Singer included, have said that X:DOFP will fix most of these issues, but only time will tell.  Either way, hopefully they do not lessen the visual impact of Apocalypse like what was done for the Juggernaut.

Juggy

This idea is somewhat backed up by Bleeding Cool who believe that X:DOFP will lead directly into X:A with a continual narrative and much of the same cast.

Days of Future Past will lead directly into Apocalypse. There’s a clear narrative thread that will string the two pictures together, and the character of Apocalypse is a good part of how this will work.

Several cast members of Days of Future Past will be wanted back for Apocalypse, including members of both the “past” and “present” timelines.

So, while a lot of this is circumstantial and nothing is confirmed, it is still exciting to know that we are going to “hopefully” see the centuries old Egyptian mutant on the big screen.  In a time when Thanos is confirmed for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Darkseid is rumored for the DC Cinematic Universe, it truly is amazing to think we will see another BIG baddie on the big screen in just a few years time.

Oh yeah, and for those that are looking for more confirmation, ComingSoon.net has uncovered that Fox has actually registered a few domains that might be of interest to you:

Apocalypse, created by Louise and Walter Simonson, made his debut in X-Factor #6. The world’s first mutant, En Sabah Nur was born in Egypt around 3,000 BC and used advanced technology to make himself an eternal conquerer, believing whole heartedly in survival of the fittest.

The character’s most popular storyline, “The Age of Apocalypse,” ran in the X-Men books beginning in 1995. Set in a parallel reality formed by interference to the timeline, “The Age of Apocalypse” saw Professor Charles Xavier murdered before he could form the X-Men. Instead, a very different take on the team began with Magneto leading them through a post-apocalyptic America ruled by mutants.

Since next summer’s X-Men: Days of Future Past involves a time travel storyline, it’s likely that a filmic take on “The Age of Apocalypse” could spin out of the new film’s ending. It’s certainly something that 20th Century Fox has considered as ComingSoon.net has learned that domains like AgeofApocalypsemovie.com have been registered by the studio for years. What’s more, Singer’s new film is set to introduce key “Age of Apocalypse” characters like Bishop (Omar Sy) and Blink (Bingbing Fan).

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AGE OF APOCALYPSE?!?!?!

Bring it!

Still tons more to learn as this news is still so fresh, but I’m hopeful, but what about you?  What are your thoughts on this news?

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The tentatively titled X-MEN: APOCALYPSE is set to hit theaters on May 27, 2016.

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About the Author

Jim is an avid movie enthusiast, representing the general movie going audience, looking at movies for their entertainment value as opposed to their critical weight. He enjoys the escapism that movies provide. He is a fan of all genre's of movies, but gravitates toward comic-based movies, summer "popcorn" flicks and over-the-top comedies as his preference.