FX Orders X-Men Spinoff ‘Legion’ To Series; See The First Photo Of Dan Stevens As David Haller
It’s been an up-and-down year for Fox’s X-Men franchise so far.Deadpoolgot 2016 off to a strong start with its record-breaking run, whileX-Men: Apocalypsehas proven to be a disappointment both critically and commercially. But here’s another spot of good news for all you mutant lovers: FX has just given a series order toLegion, anX-MenTV spinoff fromFargoshowrunnerNoah Hawley.
Dan Stevens, ofDownton AbbeyandThe Guestfame, plays David Haller, “a troubled young man who may be more than human.” (Fans of theX-Mencomics might know the character as the son of Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X.) Along with the announcement comes the first photo of Stevens in character, which you’re able to see below.
As officially revealed onMarvel.com, FX has ordered an eight-episode first season forLegion. Shooting is to begin this summer in Vancouver for an early 2017 premiere on FX. In addition to Stevens, the show also starsRachel Keller(Fargo),Jean Smart(Fargo),Aubrey Plaza(Parks and Recreation),Jeremie Harris(A Walk Among the Tombstones),Amber Midthunder(Hell or High Water),Katie Aselton(The League), andBill Irwin(Interstellar). The show hails from FX Productions and Marvel Television.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Legion” introduces the story of David Haller: Since he was a teenager, David has struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, David has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. But after a strange encounter with a fellow patient, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.
And the first official photo:
Haller looks like he’s in rough shape, though maybe that’s just thanks to his unkempt appearance and that sickly yellow lighting. Stevens, who made a huge splash in Adam Wingard’sThe Guest, certainly looks like he’s got the right intensity for the role.
WhileLegionwill deal with mutant characters, don’t look for too much crossover between it and theX-Menfilms. FX chiefJohn Landgrafrevealed earlier this yearthatLegion"takes place in a parallel universe if you will, where the government is aware mutants exist but the public is not."
Hawley will serve as an executive producer along withX-Menand Marvel vetsLauren Shuler Donner,Bryan Singer,Simon Kinberg,Jeph Loeb, andJim Chory, as well asFargo’sJohn Cameron. Hawley is a favorite at FX, thanks to the success ofFargo, and he’s also currently working on an adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’sCat’s Cradlefor the network.
