19 movies we’re definitely looking forward to in 2019

16. Dark Phoenix

As the title suggests, this newest edition in the X-Men franchise is looking much darker than any before. The Dark Phoenix character has already made an appearance in film in X-Men: The Last Stand. Of course, most people hated that movie, so this might be a clean slate for Jean Grey’s unhinged alter-ego.

Dark Phoenix is slated for a June 7 release. Sophie Turner has done a great job playing Jean Grey so far, even in X-Men: Apocalypse, and this time around it’ll be awesome to see her explore the character’s darkest facets. Director Simon Kinberg has already described the movie as a new tonal direction for the series, or at least a direction which allows more individual flexibility from film to film. It could be interesting to see Dark Phoenix run with more of a horror vibe, as it definitely looks like The New Mutants (also slated for a 2019 release date) is aiming for the same.

For those unfamiliar with the premise, Dark Phoenix will follow a similar course to the plot of the comic arc of the same name, in which Jean Grey’s psychic powers grow exponentially to the point where they spiral out of her control. What really makes this plot arc tantalizing is the potential for so many great character moments; rather than fighting another generic baddie, the X-Men will be working to save Jean from herself.

Though the trailers suggest this movie could be dark and different, other factors may work against it. Between a delayed release date, reshoots, and any potential reshuffling as a result of the Fox-Disney merger this summer, Dark Phoenix could be off to a rocky start. However, it’s far too early to say how it will turn out, and there’s still plenty of reason to hope that Dark Phoenix will end up being a unique and thrilling entry to the X Men cinematic saga.