Simon Kinberg on embracing science fiction in X-MEN.

While speaking with MTV at the Toronto International Film Festival, X-Men producer Simon Kinberg described how the films are evolving and embracing the more science fiction elements of the comics. This will be especially apparent in X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, which introduces us to a more “out there” villain.

“I feel like we have been, the ’X-Men’ franchise, has been growing a little bit more into science fiction. I think ’Days of Future Past’ with time travel and the Sentinels took us into a slightly broader, more science fiction world than the films had occupied in the past,” he said. “We felt like the movies were ready for something that was slightly more, let’s say, cosmic. Once we made the decision for Apocalypse to be the villain at the center of the movie, we wanted to be true to the comics [with the details of his look], which are sort of, like you, say, not costume, but it’s not just a guy in a helmet. It is more cosmic.”

Speaking of “cosmic,” could this be the gateway into exploring X-Men’s universe beyond planet Earth? Kinberg’s original screenplay for DAYS OF FUTURE PAST featured an end teaser with Apocalypse, described as an “alien form,” crossing the rivers of time and falling from the night sky to merge with Magneto. Concept art from ‘Apocalypse’ (below) may even hint at something other-worldly (assuming it’s not the X-Jet). In the comics, the villain has knowledge of alien technology and utilizes it to his full advantage.