TV is fast becoming a packed place for comic-book TV series, what with DC having Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and Legends Of Tomorrow on the way, and Marvel soon to follow up Agents Of SHIELD and Agent Carter with Damage Control. Now, it looks like Fox are getting in on the act, with 2 new TV series based on X-Men-themed properties: the Hellfire Club, and Legion.
Under the working title of Hellfire, the 60s-set first series will reportedly follow a young secret agent as he tracks the activities of the titular club of powerful millionaires, who figured in the plot of X-Men: First Class (although it’s unknown whether this series will follow the same continuity), and have been a thorn in the side of the X-Men in the comics for years.
It is being co-created by Evan Katz (24: Live Another Day), Manny Coto (24), Patrick McKay and JD Payne (both Star Trek Beyond), with McKay and Payne writing the pilot. Additionally, it is being executive produced by Marvel screen stalwarts Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory, so it would appear to be in safe hands.
With regards what to expect, Fox’s president of entertainment, David Madden, said, “These powerful and dynamic characters are complicated and larger-than-life, the pace and visual imagination are unrelenting, and the story takes place during one of the most explosive eras in recent history. We are so looking forward to working with this incredibly talented team.”
Next up is Legion, which will air on FX, and follow the activities of David Haller, aka Legion, the reality-warping, time-travelling son of Professor Xavier in the comics. From the synopsis, it’s hard to tell whether the series will attempt to make sense of his convoluted origins, with Marvel.com giving the following description: “The pilot introduces the story of David Haller: Since he was a teenager, David has struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, David has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. But after a strange encounter with a fellow patient, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.”
Most intriguingly, it is being penned by Noah Hawley, the man behind the excellent TV series remake of Fargo. On the producing front, it is being looked after by the same team behind Hellfire, in addition to Fargo and Big Lebowski producer John Cameron.
Speaking about the series, FX president of original programming said, “Legion is just the sort of ambitious story that Noah excels at… His adaption of Fargo for television was one of the most acclaimed television events in recent memory. It’s also an honour to partner with Marvel on Legion and to enlist such an accomplished team of Executive Producers to create this pilot.” Considering how great Fargo‘s been so far, we can’t really argue with that.
X-Men: Apocalypse will be released in cinemas on 19 May 2016. Check out the comics that inspired the film in the 100 All-Time Greatest Comics bookazine now.
