In a since-deleted tweet, X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner distanced herself from the franchise’s latest and final films, before Disney’s Marvel Studios takes control.
The end of Fox’s X-Men umbrella, for the most part, has faced criticism. Logan was a critical and financial success in 2017, but the closing prequel films to this long-running franchise have taken the spotlight.
Through them all — seemingly — have featured Lauren Shuler Donner as a producer. She began with 2000’s X-Men and continued through the recently-released Dark Phoenix, becoming associated with anything created under this umbrella. Was that not always the case, though?
In a since-deleted tweet, Donner distanced herself from three X-Men films: Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix and New Mutants.
"“Save your condolences. I had zero, nothing to do with Dark Phoenix. Or Apocalypse, or New Mutants.”"
Apocalypse was panned upon release in 2016 while its follow-up, Dark Phoenix also received harsh reviews and poor box-office results.
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New Mutants was delayed multiple times, with a 2020 release date now set by Disney. This film underwent reshoots after its promotional campaign began with a teaser trailer.
Fox’s X-Men era is over, though, with Disney’s acquisition of the rights to these characters, Deadpool and the Fantastic Four. Aside from the Merc with a Mouth, it allows Marvel Studios to reboot franchises that bowed out poorly, including 2015’s Fantastic Four. It might not happen for a few years, but the look and use of these beloved figures will inevitably change and grow.
Some might consider Logan the true end to Fox’s X-Men, but disappointing outings surrounded it, and Donner seemed to distance herself from them. Will future films change the perception of everything?