Will There Be a Dark Phoenix 2? Here’s What We Know

🔥 The Two-Part Saga That Never Was

Originally, Dark Phoenix was conceived as a two-part epic. Director Simon Kinberg had ambitious plans to explore the full depth of the Phoenix Force, including the introduction of key comic book characters like Lilandra of the Shi’ar Empire and the Hellfire Club. Concept art was created, scripts were drafted, and the narrative was set to span multiple films. However, Fox executives opted to condense the story into a single movie, forcing Kinberg to rewrite the script and abandon much of his original vision.

🎥 Kinberg’s Regret and Creative Fire

In interviews, Kinberg has expressed deep regret over not being able to tell the complete story. He believes the Dark Phoenix arc demands more time and nuance than one film could offer. “I wish I had more time to tell the Dark Phoenix story,” he admitted, noting that the emotional complexity of Jean Grey’s transformation was underserved. Despite the film’s reception, Kinberg remains proud of Sophie Turner’s performance and the emotional beats that did make it to screen.

💸 Box Office Burnout and Franchise Fallout

Unfortunately, Dark Phoenix struggled both critically and commercially. With an estimated loss of over $100 million, it became one of the biggest box office disappointments in the X-Men franchise. The film’s underperformance, coupled with Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, effectively closed the chapter on the Fox-era X-Men. Marvel Studios now holds the reins, and a full reboot is expected under the MCU banner.

🌌 The Phoenix Force in the MCU?

While a direct sequel to Dark Phoenix is highly unlikely, the Phoenix Force itself is far from dead. Marvel Studios has teased mutant integration into the MCU, and Jean Grey’s cosmic saga remains one of the most iconic storylines in X-Men lore. With multiverse storytelling now a staple of the MCU, there’s potential for a reimagined Phoenix arc—perhaps with a new cast, timeline, or even a crossover event that honors Kinberg’s original ideas in a fresh way.

🧬 Conclusion

A traditional Dark Phoenix 2 is improbable, but the essence of the Phoenix may yet blaze anew. Whether through a rebooted Jean Grey or a multiversal twist, Marvel has the tools to resurrect the story with the scale and emotional depth it deserves.

For fans of mutant drama, cosmic power, and fiery redemption, the Phoenix may rise again—just not in the way we first imagined.