Writer Simon Kinberg reportedly in talks to direct next mainline X-MEN film?

Is writer Simon Kinberg about to become a feature film director? It’s very possible, as the longtime X-MEN writer is reportedly “in talks” to helm the followup to X-MEN: APOCALYPSE this Summer.

Say what??? Yup!

According to Collider.com editor-in-cheif Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub, multiple sources reveal that Kinberg is “looking to make his directorial debut with the next X-Men movie and hes already written the screenplay.

With a working title of X-MEN: SUPERNOVA (unconfirmed as final title), the seventh film in the mainline series is set to focus on Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey going out of control as Dark Phoenix in the 90’s.

He apparently has not been given the gig yet, as the site mentions “it’s now up to the studio if they’ll use his script and if he’ll get to direct it.”

Kinberg has been a mainstay with the mutant franchise since co-writing THE LAST STAND and continuing on as producer and writer of DAYS OF FUTURE PAST and APOCALYPSE.

Slipping into the director’s chair wouldn’t be a huge stretch for him, as he knows the world, its characters, and is well known by the cast and crew. He has been overseeing the franchise for years, which includes producing DEADPOOL, next month’s LOGAN and Josh Boone’s THE NEW MUTANTS, including television projects LEGION and Fox TV’s developing X-Men series.

Once again, things are not set in stone as of now, as 20th Century Fox could decide to go with another director. The site stresses that what they’re reporting is “accurate today,” but not a 100% sure thing for the future.

With actors Sophie Turner and James McAvoy announcing plans to film this Summer, it shouldn’t be too long to find out who’s given the greenlight.

What’s funny, is XMF was just tweeting about this idea a couple weeks ago.