Two X-Men TV series are in development with Legion heading to FX Networks and Hellfire headed to FOX
Plans for two different X-Men TV series have been revealed today by Marvel. FX Networks has ordered a pilot titled Legion, while FOX is in development on an action-adventure series, tentatively titled Hellfire.
The first new X-Men TV series, Legion, will tell 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. Of course, comic book fans know Haller as the schizophrenic son of Charles Xavier.
A regular in the original X-Factor book, Haller (aka Legion) famously merged his various personalities into a singular, immensely powerful individual who, in an attempt to help his father, accidentally unleashed The Age of Apocalypse.
Noah Hawley (“Fargo,” “Bones”) will write the Legion pilot and serve as an Executive Producer along with Lauren Shuler Donner (X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Wolverine), Bryan Singer (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Superman Returns), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Martain), Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Marvel’s Daredevil”), Jim Chory (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Marvel’s Daredevil”) and John Cameron (Fargo, The Big Lebowski).
The pilot for Legion will be produced by FX Productions and Marvel Television, with FXP handling the physical production.
“‘Legion’ is just the sort of ambitious story that Noah excels at,” says Nick Grad, co-President of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions. “His adaption of ‘Fargo’ for television was one of the most acclaimed television events in recent memory. It’s also an honor to partner with Marvel on ‘Legion’ and to enlist such an accomplished team of Executive Producers to create this pilot.”
Hellfire, meanwhile, will be set in the late 1960s. The X-Men TV series spinoff — which will be produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television, with 20th Century Fox handling the physical production — follows a young Special Agent who learns that a power-hungry woman with extraordinary abilities is working with a clandestine society of millionaires – known as “The Hellfire Club” – to take over the world. Moviegoers will recall the Hellfire club’s role in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class.
“We are thrilled to partner with Marvel to bring this world to television and build upon the vibrant mythology that has captivated fans for years,” says David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “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.”
“‘Hellfire’ is a unique opportunity to be able to go deeper with some of these extraordinary characters, but to also dramatize new characters and give TV viewers a chance to experience this expanded world in an explosive way that everyone will be talking about,” adds Jonathan Davis, President, Creative Affairs, 20th Century Fox Television. “The action at the center of ‘Hellfire’ will be dynamic and will satisfy the rabid fans, but that said, newcomers will surely be addicted too!”
Hellfire is a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television. Evan Katz (“24: Live Another Day”), Manny Coto (“24”), Patrick McKay (Star Trek Beyond) and JD Payne (Star Trek Beyond) are co-creators. McKay and Payne will write the pilot script, based on a story by Katz, Coto, McKay and Payne. Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory will also executive-produce Hellfire, alongside Katz and Coto, who will serve as showrunners.
What do you think of these X-Men TV series plans? Will you watch either of these X-Men TV series?
