Fox is entering the
Marvel universe.
The network has made a put pilot commitment for a new “X-Men” action-adventure series, hailing from writer
Matt Nix,
Variety has learned exclusively.
The untitled series will focus on two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.
20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television will co-produce the series with 20th handling physical production. Nix will serve as exec producer with Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, plus Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory.
“Developing a Marvel property has been a top priority for the network — and we are so pleased with how Matt Nix has led us into this thrilling universe,” said David Madden, president, entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “There’s comic book adventure, emotional and complicated relationships and a rich, existing mythology from which to draw. With the brilliant production crew behind this project, it has all the makings of a big, fun and exciting new series.”
The project would mark the first Marvel series at Fox, which has had success in the comic book genre with “Gotham” and “Lucifer,” both of which hail from DC Comics. The network recently put a
“Hellfire” series from Marvel into development, but
Variety has learned that project is no longer moving forward.
“Working with Marvel on a television series for Fox has been a professional dream for our head of development, Michael Thorn, and all of us at the studio,” commented Jonathan Davis, president, creative affairs, 20th Century Fox Television. “Matt, Lauren, Bryan, Simon, Jeph and Jim are a powerhouse team of creative artists, and we can’t wait to get started on what will easily be one of this development season’s most exciting new projects.”
Loeb, Marvel’s head of television, added: “Marvel Television is thrilled to be co-producing with 20th Century Fox Television on our first project. Matt’s a huge fan of ‘X-Men’ and his take on ‘X-Men,’ with its rich characters and high-stakes adventure, is exactly the show we want on Fox. It’s a great team of creative producers who will be making something entirely unique.”
As for other Marvel properties, the studio has a large presence on broadcast, cable and streaming with ABC’s “Agents of SHIELD,” Netflix’s “Jessica Jones” and “Daredevil,” plus new upcoming shows “Luke Cage” at Netflix, Noah Hawley’s
“Legion” at FX and
“Cloak and Dagger” at Freeform. ABC’s
“Agent Carter” was cancelled after two seasons, but the network is developing a top-secret John Ridley Marvel project.
The untitled Marvel project furthers Nix’s relationship with Fox. The “Burn Notice” creator is co-showrunner and writer on the network’s upcoming drama
“APB,” which will debut midseason.
