Even though the early reviews for X-Men: Apocalypse have been largely mixed, it’s still an almost sure bet that it will be a big summer hit nevertheless. It’s by far the most epic installment of the series so far, which is actually one of the reasons critics are harping on it so much. There are new and old characters appearing, similar to the previous entry Days of Future Past. One of the new actors that is making her debut is Alexandra Shipp as Storm. Previously Halle Berry has played the role of the weather-manipulating mutant, but because Apocalypse is a prequel, it opens the door for a new actress to tell the early days of the character.
As the Fox–Marvel series has progressed, Storm’s presence has been somewhat declining, which may be frustrating to fans considering how the character has such a rich background. One of the lesser-known aspects to Storm is that in the comic books she married Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) in a 2006 issue. However, since Storm is a 20th Century Fox property and Black Panther is Marvel, it presents an unfortunate conflict in ever having a “shared” movie. Shipp, however, still feels like it should happen. In a recent interview with Observ, the actress expressed her excitement for the two characters having their own film.
I want that movie so bad. I’ve got a pitch, I’m like coming up with a vision board, I want this movie to happen. Honestly it doesn’t have to be me – if Chadwick [Boseman] was like ‘you know what, I really want to do this with Halle [Berry]’ I’d be like yo, that’s fine at least make the movie.
While it may currently be a long shot before something like this to coalesce, it’s definitely not out of the question that the two studios could join forces if the timing was right. Fox has proven that they can have successful standalone films, such as Deadpool, and Marvel has proven that strength time and time again, along with their massive ensembles like Captain America: Civil War.
It’s reassuring to see an actress that hasn’t even made their series debut yet plead for more time not only with her own character but with the idea of having a standalone film. Putting the reviews of Apocalypse aside, we could be seeing more of Shipp in the future as Storm, if not in other films if the studios decided to expand her presence in the mutant or superhero world.
X-Men: Apocalypse opens in theaters on May 27, 2016.