Michael and the Dark Phoenix cast spoke with Gio Journal to discuss the film. Check out the interview below, and two photos in our gallery!

What brought you back to the film series?
I loved the journey up to Dark Phoenix and specifically wanted to come back because Simon was directing. I wanted to lend whatever I could bring to the table for him. He was such a fantastic collaborator and engineer of First Class, Days of Future Past and Apocalypse and I was really excited to see him get in the director’s chair. 

How did Simon do in his directorial debut?
He was very relaxed, very confident; it seemed like he’d been doing it for years. He’s been on so many massive films and been an integral part in so many of them. He’s also a very smart man, the kind of guy that doesn’t speak unless he’s educated on something or has knowledge on it. He observes, he listens; all the ingredients to make a great director. I think he wanted to strip everything down, boil it down to the bones… even visually, the way he shot it. A lot of it is handheld, and I’m not wearing any Magneto costumes. The helmet is there, but everything is pared down to be a character exploration. 

Did the others envy you for being able to wear a turtleneck and jeans?
I don’t know! I certainly was very thankful that it was an easy in and out for me, especially if you look at what Nicholas goes through each day as Beast! Compared to him, I definitely had an easier rout

What’s going on with Erik?
He’s finally become the cult leader that was always alive in him! He’s formed Genosha, so he’s managed to create this community, independent state/nation where mutants can live in harmony and without attack, and anyone who agrees to pitch in and do their part is welcome. It’s self-sufficient, it’s off the grid, and it’s the culmination of his struggles through the series. Since his family has been ripped away from him—[considering] what happened to him as a child and then, of course, with his wife and child—a sense of death is always with him. But this is a mature Erik. He’s more at peace, and he only leaves this haven out of loyalty. It’s like an old Western. He’s got to go on his mission. 

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