Much like Hela (Thor: Ragnarok) or even Domino (Deadpool 2), Lilandra Neramani is a name that’s resonated with comic book fans for generations, regardless of whether they align themselves with Marvel or DC – or even somewhere in between.
And after months of rumors and hearsay, 20th Century Fox finally confirmed that Simon Kinberg will adapt Chris Claremont’s Dark Phoenix Saga in the form of X-Men: Dark Phoenix. By and large, all of our favorite mutants are back on board – namely Michael Fassbender (Magneto), James McAvoy (Professor X) and Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique) – while there’s also room for a big-name newcomer: Jessica Chastain.
Initial reports may have linked Angelina Jolie with the comic book gig, but Fox ultimately chose the two-two Oscar nominee for the villainous role of Lilandra Neramani…or did they? With filming on Dark Phoenix now underway, Chastain has taken to Instagram (via CBM) to share a photo from the set (a skyline shot of a double rainbow, for those curious), which included a now-pulled comment that essentially rubbished any reports claiming she’s on board to play the Shi’ar Empress.
The fact that the comment has now been pulled suggests Jessica Chastain was simply toying with fans. After all, similar to how Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness) and Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming) deflected questions about their respective characters right up until release, we imagine Chastain is under strict orders from Fox not to divulge any firm character details prior to release. With that in mind, common logic dictates that she is, in fact, on board to play the power-mongering Lilandra.
Once New Mutants (April 13th) and Deadpool 2 (June 1st) have enjoyed their time in the spotlight, Fox will then draw our attention to X-Men: Dark Phoenix ahead of its arrival on November 2nd, 2018. In news relating to the studio’s ever-evolving mutant-verse, we now know the writer and indeed director of the long-rumored X-Force movie.
