Could A 'Phoenix Force' Film Work?

[the a1ant]

Do you think a 'phoenix force' film could work?

I always thought it would be interesting to make a film dealing entirely with the phoenix force. The film could take place on different planets, and show the origins of the phoenix and how it has effected many races on various planets. It would be separate from the established X-Men films, and feature some of the alien characters shown in the comics, etc.

I think it would allow for some really interesting visuals, a great story, and give audiences something different in the 'X-Men' world. In my 'vision' for the film, Jean Grey would only appear as a cameo in the very end of the story. Not mentioned by name, but there as a great nod to the comic fans (so it wouldn't conflict with what general audiences remember about Jean in X3).

Do you think a film like this could work? Or not? Share your ideas!

[Nature's Rising]

No. The Phoenix itself is the protagonist and the antagonist of its own storyline. No one is interested to see someone who can just beat everyone. Where's the drama?

[Fresh Prince]

Right. No one can beat her. It was dumb Wolverine did in X-Men 3.

[Mad Ones]

This would be the weirdest movie, but I dig it. I don't think general audiences would be able to accept and it only a small amount of people would be interested, but it's still fun to think about it.

It could maybe span from the beginning of the universe to now, and see planets and galaxies being created. It would also be cool to feature some cosmic characters like Galactus and Silver Surfer, the Immortals, and the Shi'ar. I could also touch on subjects like M'Kraan and the White Hot Room.

The biggest problem would be what kind of storyline the movie would have. It couldn't be just the Phoenix doing stuff throughout time. Maybe the Shi'ar could play some opposing role in the movie? And it's weird to have Phoenix without Jean (because that's the only reason why I would care about the Phoenix force), but having her as a cameo at the end would be cool. Maybe meeting for the first time?

Crazy, unrealistic idea, but it's fun to think about. Maybe a straight to DVD animated movie?

[X-Maniac]

Yes, a 'Phoenix Force' movie could work. It would need to reference Jean Grey for sure.

a1ant, sounds like you are thinking of a Fox/X-Men equivalent to Green Lantern (interstellar/cosmic scale, people chosen to wield great power, many different people taking the name).

[katie_girl09]

Probably. But I wouldn't watch it. Sorry.

[Havok83]

Depending on the plot and script, it could work. I would definetly watch it

[Mad Ones]

It could look pretty cool. The Phoenix Force gives nice visuals that would be interesting to see on the big screen.

[javi1024]

it could work, but it all depends on the script and how they plan to convey the Phoenix. if your making Phoenix the full potential of Jean's mutant powers, than there's no reason for it. even calling it "Phoenix" in X3 felt a little out of place. now ive never liked it whenever the X-Men go off-planet and i wouldn't want to see that in the movies. this though is obviously the easiest (and most accurate) way to show the Phoenix Force. what could possibly work (though it would take a lot of forgiveness from fanboys), what they did in Wolverine and the X-Men was make the Phoenix Force more of a spiritual entity that would manifest within the most powerful of mutants, and there the Hellfire Club's purpose was to nurture it and it's host in preparation for a forthcoming battle- but again Shaw just wanted to control it. i think something like this could work if they allowed for more grand storytelling in an X-Men film...and if Marvel gets the rights back from Fox.

Edit: I just realized the question was about seeing a Phoenix movie, not seeing the Force used in a film. whoops...

[Mad Ones]

The plot could be connected to M'kraan Crystal, and the Phoenix's purpose is to protect all the realities in the universe against some baddies... it doesn't have to be D'ken or anything Shi'ar. Would we see the Phoenix Force in different hosts throughout time... or maybe just have a hostless phoenix as the main character, that manifests itself similar to Jean? And at the end it could sacrifice itself, and enter the White Hot Room... it would be a crazy movie, that's for sure.

[bullets]

I'd definately watch it but I don't think it would ne a huge hit and would be a risk for the studio.

[Thirteen]

Featuring the Phoenix Force would require a heavy change in tone of the films into the fantasy realm and away from the (fairly) down to Earth realistic tone that we are used to. The movie would need to be space operatic along the lines of Star Wars or have grand spiritual undertones like a Lord of the Rings...all of which are departures from what we are used to onscreen. Such departures are more palatable on the page where diversions from concept are necessary because of the frequency of publication. But I'm not sure a foray into the Phoenix Force would go over well with Film audiences for whom the X-Men are "the next step in Human evolution, sworn to protect a world that fears and hates them..."

[the a1ant]

I would definitely be a risk. But a risk I'd like to see them take. Kind of like X-Men's Avatar (ground-breaking special effects). It does sound like a weird film but it has the potential to be awesome. Could it actually work on screen? Who knows, but I do agree with some of the points you all brought up.