X-Men: Dark Phoenix spoilers: Simon Kinberg to direct; Jessica Chastain as villain?

Let the countdown begin because it looks like X-Men: Dark Phoenix has found its director in Simon Kinberg. The X-Men saga will watch the long-time producer and writer make his directorial debut with the feature movie, reports Deadline.

The Dark Phoenix is set to return and fans have mixed feelings about the making of the movie. Despite the reaction, the franchise has already passed through the initial production stage and cast members have been confirmed.

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According to the new details surfacing, Kinberg has taken the helm of the upcoming X-Men movie and will be seen directing his own screenplay, Deadline shared. It also has been confirmed that most of the key actors and characters from X-Men: Apocalypse will return for the Dark Phoenix.

Which means Sophie Turner will reprise her role as Jean Greym, Jennifer Lawrence will come back as Mystique, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, James McAvoy as Professor X, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Alexandra Shipp as Storm, Tye Sheridan will play Cyclops again, and Kodi Smit-McPhee will be seen as Nightcrawler.

Disheartening fans, the studio has said no news about Evan Peters' return. He plays the role of Quicksilver. Deadline has also confirmed that filming will take place in Montreal.

The Hollywood Reporter has also revealed that Jessica Chastain is in talks for playing the role of the villain in the X-Men movie. Her character will be named Lilandra, "the empress of an alien empire called the Shi'ar, who leads the quest to imprison and execute Dark Phoenix, leading her into conflict with the X-Men."

Lilandra also leads the alien super-team called Imperial Guard. However, there has been no mention of them featuring in the movie.

The film will focus on Jean Grey whose powers amplify when she comes in contact with a cosmic entity called the Phoenix. She is overtaken by the force, turning her into the Dark Phoenix and the X-Men are left to defeat her.

The Dark Phoenix last appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand but twisted to be Professor X's split personality buried in Jean Grey's psyche. Phoenix emerges when Jean Grey returned from the dead and was manipulated to work with Magneto.

X-Men: Apocalypse trailer

While the ball is rolling at a fast pace, it is only after X-Men: Dark Phoenix releases on November 2, 2018, that the box office will know if fans liked it or not.