A superhero horror film that survived years of delays and studio acquisition chaos
In short: The New Mutants was intended to be a prestige horror spin-off of the X-Men franchise. Instead, it became a production odyssey, trapped between studio mergers, shifting creative visions, and repeated release delays. Despite the turmoil, the final film emerged as a unique, confined story about teenagers facing their darkest fears.
Conceived by director Josh Boone and writer Knate Lee after their work on The Fault in Our Stars, The New Mutants was pitched as a dark, character-driven trilogy. The project officially began in May 2015 under 20th Century Fox. Boone aimed to blend the superhero genre with the atmosphere of classic horror, citing influences like The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. The film was shot in 2017 at Medfield State Hospital, a location previously used for Shutter Island, with a heavy emphasis on practical effects over green screen.
The film’s path to release was famously turbulent. Initially scheduled for April 2018, it faced multiple delays as Fox vacillated between a 'young adult' tone and Boone’s original, darker horror vision. The acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney further complicated matters. While rumors of extensive reshoots persisted for years, Boone eventually revealed that no additional photography ever took place. The final version was completed in March 2020 by Boone and editor Andrew Buckland, with the film ultimately released in August 2020.
At its core, the story follows five young mutants held in a secret facility by Dr. Cecilia Reyes. The narrative centers on Danielle Moonstar, whose powers manifest the fears of those around her, including the terrifying Demon Bear. While the film includes references to the broader X-Men universe, such as the Essex Corporation, it remains a distinct, contained experience. Despite the high expectations and the long wait, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing $49.2 million against a budget of $67–80 million, marking it as the final installment of the original X-Men film series.
The production also faced controversy regarding casting, specifically the choice of Henry Zaga for the role of Roberto da Costa, a character depicted as Afro-Brazilian in the comics. Boone defended the casting, stating his goal was to find the best actor who fit his vision for the character rather than focusing on skin color. Ultimately, the film stands as a strange artifact of a transitional period in superhero cinema, caught between the legacy of the Fox-era X-Men and the new landscape under Disney.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The New Mutants (film)
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