Sophie Turner says X-Men: Dark Phoenix will “revolutionize” superhero films

As excited as you are for X-MEN: THE DARK PHOENIX, I can guarantee you the Jean Grey actress Sophie Turner has got you beat. Recently, while speaking with Empire about the forthcoming X-Men sequel, Turner gushed about the film's director, Simon Kinberg, and how the movie is going to "revolutionize" superhero films as a genre. These are some bold words to be certain, so perhaps we should learn of their context before we go coming to any uninformed conclusions?

In talking with Empire, Turner raved about Kinberg's directing prowess, and how he's perfect for the film by saying, “Simon has been the brain behind X-Men for years, and it’s really exciting to have what feels like one of our own rise up and take hold of the franchise, and direct it in the way that he sees it,” Turner remarked. “I have to say he’s one of the best director I’ve ever worked with. He’s so passionate and collaborative.” While the GAME OF THRONES alum clearly has full-confidence in Kinberg's ability to deliver a rock-solid X-Men movie, the rabid fandom of the franchise might need some more convincing.

As the interview continued, Turner described DARK PHOENIX as a "dark, gritty drama," and promised that the goal of the film to create a new benchmark for superhero-related entertainment.  “We are revolutionizing it. We wanted to create a whole new genre of superhero movie.”

The sequel itself will involve Jean discovering that her powers have reached a godlike state, and that a more sinister personality may very well be manifesting itself inside her. However, even with all of the phoenix mumbo jumbo serving as the central plot of the film, Turner shared with Empire that while "The X-Men go cosmic," the project will remaind a very grounded and "personal" story.

Lastly, Sophie also elaborated on the "personal" vibe of the story by saying that, "Once I got the script though, I realized that not only were we telling this amazing superhero story, but we were also telling a very personal story as well," Turner said. "One which required research into mental health issues. Because that is a big part of what drives the story. I mainly drew inspiration from multiple personality disorder and schizophrenia, as it is really about duality, this movie.  Darkness and light – that's all within her. This sense of being a completely other person and her struggling with that."

Hmm, let me see if I've got this right: Gritty, personal, and grouded? It sounds to me as if Kinberg might be taking a page out of the LOGAN playbook, but that remains to be seen. Personally, I would love for someone to come along and shake things up in Marvel's X-Men universe. I'm not entirely confident that X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX will be the film to do just that, though Sophie Turner's remarks certainly have me feeling more optimistic than when this article began.

Are you excited to check out X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX? What's your favorite of the X-Men-related films? Let us know the answers to both in the comments section below!

X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX will rise in theaters come Novemeber 2, 2018.