Producer Simon Kinberg is set to direct “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.”
Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan and Kodi Smit-McPhee are all reprising their roles when production begins in Montreal.
Jessica Chastain is also in talks to join the cast in a new role as a villain.
The film will focus on Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey as it features the story of the Dark Phoenix saga from the X-Men comics. The Phoenix, in the form of Jean, appeared as the primary antagonist in “X-Men: The Last Stand.” She was portrayed in the film by actress Famke Jansen.
Kinberg, who co-wrote “X-Men: The Last Stand” — the franchise’s first attempt at the Dark Phoenix saga — was reported several months ago to be in talks to not only write the “Apocalypse” sequel but to direct the film as well.
Production on the film is expected to take place from the end of this month until early t0 mid-October in Montreal.
Kinberg is producing with Hutch Parker and Lauren Shuler Donner. Kinberg is also a producer on “Deadpool 2,” as well “X-Men: The New Mutants.”
The film has a release date of Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.