I love the X-Men movies as much as the next guy (and I love how they’ve kickstarted the modern superhero movement even more), but even I’ve gotta be a bit cynical, because a near-Avatar level production is pretty lofty for a franchise that’s never surpassed $500 million at the box office.

Compared to the billion dollar blockbusters from Marvel Studios, whose superhero franchises started 8 years after Fox’s X-Men, Bryan Singer’s mutant adventures are barely successful. The cinematic series began in 2000 with the release of the first X-Men (which we’ve affectionately titled “Hugh Jackman’s Pointy Stabby Fingers Fiesta”), and its since produced 5 misshaped sequels. The most profitable of which, X-Men The Last Stand, grossed $459,000,000 at the international box office, far less than its Marvel peers, but the highest in Fox’s X-Men franchise.

Well, apparently Fox believes these Children of the Atom are capable of loftier figures with the latest sequel DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Avengers figures. According to the film’s star, James McAvoy…

“It’s the second biggest production Fox have ever embarked upon, behind Avatar. So they’re definitely going for it.

According to Bryan Singer’s comments at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Fox is hard at work planning a massive cinematic universe for their superhero properties, which include the rights to Marvel’s Fantastic Four and the every mutant in the X-Men universe. Fox also possesses the rights to superhero properties from other publishers, most notably Millarworld books (which is the name ascribed to Fox’s Marvel consultant Mark Millar’s indie works). I’ve always assumed that Fox’s expanded universe would only involve their Marvel properties, but would they also embrace characters from different comic book origins, like Kick-Ass and Hit Girl?

And there’s no hiding it… Fox is doubling down on X-Men because of Marvel Studios’ incredible success with their Avengers monster campaign. We few fanboys at UTF have discussed the issue heavily (aided by a few shots of Old Crow Bourbon, the finest $7 whiskey in the world), and Fox has a real opportunity to produce something great.

After all, The Avengers were never THAT popular in the comic book world. Sure, I loved the team, and so did my friends, but they were a thoroughly vanilla team surrounded by more alluring, and dynamic guys like the Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, Starjammers… the rights to which belong to Fox. Could you imagine a cinematic universe that perfectly captures the awe and badassery of 80’s & 90’s X-Men?

Fox, the balls in your court.

SOURCE: CBM