A brand new trailer for X Men: Dark Phoenix has landed and its guaranteed to get you counting down the days to the films release.
The upcoming Marvel movie has been surrounded by concern after its release was pushed back, there were reports of bad test screenings and then it was revealed a number of reshoots were taking place.
Some of the stars of the film have tried to play down the furore surrounding it, reassuring fans that it will not disappoint.
Now the first trailer is out, here is everything you need to know about Dark Phoenix and why its caused so much worry to fans…
When is X Men: Dark Phoenixs release date and why was it pushed back?
The movie will hit UK cinemas on 5 February 2019.
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It was originally set for a summer 2017 release but in March this year it was announced that Fox was pushing it back to early 2019 instead.
At the time, it wasnt a surprise that Dark Phoenix had been pushed back.
Their last big-screen outing for the band of famous mutants in 2016 was not well received by fans or critics compared with 2014s Days of Future Past.
And thats something that wont have escaped executives at Fox, given that it didnt even make it into the franchises top earners at the domestic box office – pulling in only $155 million in the US (£109.62 million) – though it did earn a significant amunt internationally, bringing home $543.9 million (£384.66 million) worldwide.
Whats this about poor test screenings?
Earlier this year, an X Men fan who claimed to have seen Dark Phoenix in a test screening slammed it for being underwhelming and fundamentally a repeat of the much-derided X3 (the last attempt at pushing the iconic Marvel comics saga to the big screen).
The screening is said to have happened in February this year and it was the following month that Fox announced it was being pushed back a year. Clearly to allow time for the reshoots.
However, in June this year, Dark Phoenix star Evan Peters brushed aside the controversy by saying the film will be a darker and more powerful affair than previous X-Men films. Phew.
The man who plays Quicksilver explained that there wasnt really a trace of Age Of Apocalypse in the film – which should come as welcome news to Marvel fans – and instead likened it to the critically acclaimed X-Men: First Class.
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I think its the classic X-Men: First Class tone, where theres a bit of humour thrown in there, but its much darker than the previous one, Apocalypse, he told Collider. Apocalypse was the 80s, so there was a lot of room for goofy stuff in there. This one is a much more serious film about the internal struggle of Phoenix and Jean, so its a dramatic film. Theres nothing very comedic about it, other than the few moments that are in there. I think its gonna be a powerful one. Its Dark Phoenix. I think its gonna be darker than were used to. Its gonna be a change, but its gonna be fun for everybody.
As opposed to the aforementioned leak, which slated the films director Simon Kinberg for his vision of the saga, the 31-year-old American Horror Story star said the franchise had been passed onto a safe pair of hands.
Having produced a raft of the X-Men films and racked up writing credits on the likes of Apocalypse and Days Of The Future Past, Simon is a veteran on the franchise.
He was very prepared and he knew what he was doing. Hes surrounded himself with a great team thats been there for years. Everybody knows each other, Evan explained. It was a great environment for him to step forward. He knows the characters and story better than anyone because he wrote it. I think it was easy for him and it was very calm. Its always been a fun experience, but it was also a calm experience, this time around, which was a relief.
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Okay, and what about the reshoots?
The film began shooting back in February 2017 but earlier this month it was revealed that a number of reshoots were taking place after that devastating feedback. Another, more likely, reason why the film was pushed back.
Sophie Turner and Jessica Chastain have been pictured on the set of the eagerly anticipated movie in Montreal.
Jessica plays a still-unknown mysterious villain in the film although we have to admit we may already be Team Chastain despite her possible villainy because shes wearing killer black stiletto while fighting Game Of Thrones star Sophie and wearing a grey bodysuit ready for some CGI magic.
Sophie wore a matching suit and the pair were joined by crew members as they prepped for the scene.
Turner attempted to reassure fans that the entire film wasnt being reshot when she said earlier this month that they were just a few bits and bobs.
To be honest, I dont even know what were reshooting at the moment. So I couldnt really tell you much about that one, she told Digital Spy.
All I know is that Ill be back in Montreal at some point soon, and that the Valentines Day release date is quite a positive thing, because Black Panther got released on Valentines Day. So were keeping positive about it.
Whats it all about?
Dark Phoenix has a 1990s setting, as it takes place ten years after the events of the previous episode.
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It will tell the story of what is arguably the most important X-Men story, of Jean Grey and her relationship to the Phoenix, a powerful cosmic entity that manifests itself in Jeans body.
It means that the X-Men are forced to go up against not only one of the most powerful villains they have ever faced, but they will also have to go up against their best friend Jean, as she battles to stop Phoenix from hurting her loved ones.
And it seems that this new take on Jean and Phoenix will return to a story more closely connected to the comics, with Phoenix attempting to become one with Jean, and Jeans struggles to keep the cosmic being in check.
More: Jennifer Lawrence
Who is in the cast?
Starring Games Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner reprising her role as the titular mutant (also known as Jean Gray) with telepathic and telekinetic powers who battles, and ultimately succumbs to, the forces of evil.
Jessica Chastain plays a still-unknown mysterious villain in the film, Evan Peters plays Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver, while James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence all return as Professor X, Magneto, and Mystique, the mentors to the new superheroes (Jean, Storm, Cyclops, and Quicksilver).
Is there a trailer?
There most definitely is – and it was released this week.
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