Plans for a long-rumored X-Men TV series are moving forward, courtesy of a new deal between Marvel and Fox Networks. Deadline reports the two media giants have joined forces to bring two previously untapped Marvel properties to the small screen: Hellfire and Legion. Both shows are set within the X-Men universe and boast long-term franchise director Bryan Singer, as well as executive producers Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner.
Hellfire was created by Evan Katz, Manny Coto, Patrick McKay and JD Payne, all of whom will serve as executive producers, with McKay and Payne on scripting duties as well. The '60s-set show takes inspiration from Marvel's The Hellfire Club comics and follows a "young Special Agent who learns that a power-hungry woman with extraordinary abilities is working with a clandestine society of millionaires – known as The Hellfire Club – to take over the world."
Meanwhile, Legion has received a pilot order at FX, with Fargo creator Noah Hawley attached to write and produce. The show revolves around David Haller, who has struggled with mental illness since he was a teen, but eventually comes to suspect an underlying cause from famous dad Professor X.
Despite the fact that both properties are based on Marvel comics, they fall within Fox's remit. This is the second time in a year that Marvel has shacked up with another studio who owns the rights to its characters - before that, it was announced that Spider-Man would join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though he's destined to return to Sony. Now if only Marvel would wrangle a similar deal for Fantastic Four.
