If you were not already confused by the X-Men universe, you will be once the FX TV series Legion premieres – especially as it appears that no one, including the producers, seem to agree on whether or not Legion exists in the same universe as the films.
According to Bryan Singer, who is executive producing Legion for FX, the TV show exists in the same universe as the X-Men films to date, and could potentially cross over with the films in the future. This is in direct contradiction to FX executive John Landgraf’s statement that Legion will not cross over with the cinematic universe, since the presuppositions of the two worlds are diametrically opposed to each other.
Here’s what Landgraf said:
It’s not in the continuity of those films in the sense that the current X-Men films take place in a universe where everybody on planet earth is aware of the existence of mutants. Legion takes place in a parallel universe if you will where the government is aware mutants exist but the public is not. I wouldn’t see characters moving back and forth because they really are parallel universes.
Singer claims that the show is indeed part of the X-Men universe, but can exist “completely on its own.” He seems adamant that the show will have an effect on future X-Men films, though. I think I would try to agree on this one, guys, before things really get confusing. I hope that series creator Noah Hawley at least knows what’s going on.
Legion is the story of David Haller (Dan Stevens), the schizophrenic son of Charles Xavier who comes to believe that the voices inside his head might not be imaginary after all. If, as Landgraf states, this is a world in which the government knows about mutants but the public does not, that would still not explain why the son of a mutant would be moved in and out of mental hospitals. But I’m sure that things will be explained in the fullness of time.
Truth be told, I’ve lost track of what is actually supposed to be happening with the X-Men universe. Between time-travel and universe-hopping, I’ve simply given up on ever making sense of a franchise that is already overloaded with characters and multiple Wolverine films. Call me when they make Deadpool 2.
Legion will premiere next year. It either will or won’t cross over with the cinematic universe, but I’m sure they’ll have figured that out by then.