FX’s LEGION at Comic Con: Season 2 episode count, Saïd Taghmaoui cast as villain and Professor X talk.

Though nothing was revealed today about upcoming X-MEN films at 20th Century Fox’s Comic Con International panel, we did learn some new details about the second season of FX’s LEGION series. During their panel, which featured creator Noah Hawley and the principal cast, it was announced that season two will have ten episodes compared to season one’s eight.

It was also revealed that “Wonder Woman” actor Saïd Taghmaoui has been cast as the human form of villainous Amahl Farouk aka the Shadow King.

He is described by FX (via The Hollywood Reporter) as a “villain with a thousand faces. In his real form, he is always nattily dressed. Dapper with a thin Clark Gable-style mustache. His eyes forever hidden behind a pair of ornate sunglasses. He was hip long before there was such an idea. He can seductively hold court on any topic and in any language, but his true passion lies in the singular timeless notion of power and amassing as much of it as possible.

“It is rumored he is the spawn of the first nightmare, which is fitting because fear is his weapon of choice in exposing weakness in others. To Farouk, fear equals weakness and he fears nothing. Which is why he takes such delight in seeing others squirm — a reminder he is more powerful than them.”

Season two will also explore the backgrounds of the supporting characters through flashbacks, as “we know [David]’s story really well now, but we don’t know everyone’s story really well,” said Hawley.

When asked if David Haller’s father, Professor X, would ever make an appearance in the show, he cryptically revealed that they’re “working on it.” There’s no word if either Patrick Stewart or James McAvoy would be up for the potential cameo, but both have expressed some interest at one point or another. In a past interview, producer Lauren Shuler Donner suggested that Legion’s version of Charles Xavier could be a different actor altogether.

Season two is currently in production for release in 2018.

Thanks Martin for the heads up!

David Haller. Live and in color. #LegionFX #fxsdcc #sdcc pic.twitter.com/KmiCzJieUW

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

"It was a wild ride, man."-Aubrey Plaza on playing Lenny. #legionfx #fxsdcc pic.twitter.com/peGxYvoyBc

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

"It was really fun for me to figure out how a psychopath moves around."-Aubrey Plaza on the physicality of her role. #LegionFX #FXSDCC

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

All smiles with Amber Midthunder and Bill Irwin. #legionfx #fxsdcc pic.twitter.com/Kbl4tXUBog

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

Dan Stevens revealed that he actually had food poisoning while filming the Bollywood dance scene in episode one. #LegionFX #FXSDCC

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

Mutant lovebirds. #legionfx #fxsdcc pic.twitter.com/hocV7dy889

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

"It's like therapy, I guess."-Dan Stevens jokes about the intensity of his action sequences. #legionfx #fxsdcc #SDCC pic.twitter.com/AXSSjLgm3R

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

"'Ain't Goin' Down Til the Sun Comes Up' by Garth Brooks.”—Aubrey Plaza knows which song Lenny would sing immediately. #LegionFX #FXSDCC

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017

Which songs would David and Sydney love to sing together? Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us" #LegionFX

— Legion (@LegionFX) July 21, 2017