Olivia Munn has confirmed that her X-Men: Apocalypse character Psylocke does not appear in the upcoming Dark Phoenix. Directed by Simon Kinberg, Dark Phoenix takes on the fan-favorite comic book storyline in which Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) loses control of her abilities and is transformed into an all-powerful super-being.

The Dark Phoenix arc was of course tackled previously by X-Men: The Last Stand, but that particular version was largely rejected by fans. The new, more comics-faithful take on Dark Phoenix brings back Michael Fassbender as Magneto, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, together with Jessica Chastain as a still-unrevealed mystery character who, at least going by a recent still released from the film, is key to what happens after Jean Grey is transformed. Dark Phoenix will also be the first X-Men movie without an appearance by Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.

Another prior X-Men character not returning for Dark Phoenix is Psylocke, the martial arts practicing mutant introduced by Meiling Melançon in Last Stand and later played by Olivia Munn in Apocalypse. In an interview with ET Canada, Munn herself confirmed that Psylocke will be absent when Dark Phoenix hits screens, but was unable to add more details under fear of repercussions from Fox. Munn said in the interview, “I can’t say anything because last time I said a little bit they sent me a note. But I’m not in it.” Munn stated that she was busy filming The Predator and so there was no time for her to be in the new X-Men movie.

Indeed, Munn previously broke with secrecy protocols by stating that her Psylocke would in fact be back for Dark Phoenix, also stating that the new movie would be a “two parter.” Not only has Munn herself now revealed that she was incorrect in confirming her own involvement in the film, but there has also been no indication whatsoever that Dark Phoenix is meant to be the first half of a two-part movie. Simon Kinberg has stated that he wants Dark Phoenix to launch a new line of X-Men movies focusing on the franchise’s younger characters. The future of all things X-Men is of course somewhat up in the air after Disney’s acquisition of Fox, a deal that could theoretically lead to X-Men being folded entirely into the MCU.

As for the future of Munn’s Psylocke, it doesn’t appear there is one at the present moment. Munn had once stated that she would like to see Psylocke team up with Deadpool in an X-Force movie, but now it seems plans for an X-Force film are themselves in some amount of jeopardy with Disney in charge of things. Munn’s appearance as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse was not exactly embraced by fans anyway, so it’s unlikely that X-Men faithful will be very upset to hear that she will not be back for Dark Phoenix or, most likely, any future X-Men movies.

More: X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX: EVERY UPDATE YOU NEED TO KNOW

Source: ET Canada

  • X-Men: Dark Phoenix Release Date: 2019-06-07 New Mutants Release Date: 2020-08-28