Fox Says 'X-Men' TV Series is in the Works

Reports have come in claiming that Fox is currently developing a live-action television series based on Marvel Comics' superhero team "X-Men," The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Sources have confirmed the story to the news outlet, saying that the network is involved in preliminary talks and negotiations with Marvel to bring the comic series to the small screen.

It's not quite a big jump for the company, especially considering that its studio counterpart 20th Century Fox currently owns the rights to the "X-Men" film franchise, which already has seven films to its name, not counting the upcoming "X-Men: Apocalypse," and upcoming spinoff films next year, such as "Deadpool" and "Gambit."

The sources also told THR that the deal is far from complete and Marvel has yet to sign the deal. However, Fox reportedly tapped producers Evan Katz and Manny Coto from "24" to oversee the project as showrunners. They will be sharing "created by" credits with writing duo J.D. Payne Patrick McKay from "Star Trek 3," who have been asked to pen the script.

Fox co-CEO Gary Newman confirmed the news definitively to TV Insider, though he declined to comment on whether or not Katz, Coto, Payne and McKay were involved.

"It's in negotiations. We're cautiously optimistic. We had a good meeting with them," he said. "That will not be on a fast track creatively. This is just the deal, now we have to find the creative."

What's probably making the negotiations tricky was that while 20th Century Fox owned the rights to the film, the rights to the Marvel comics are owned by rival company Disney.

Also Marvel is busy with its own television shows "Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." and the new "Agent Carter," as well as the series they are planning with Netflix, namely "Jessica Jones," "Daredevil," "Luke Cage," "Iron Fist" and "The Defenders."

The upcoming "X-Men" television series also follows co-CEOs Newman and Dana Walden's plans to introduce or re-introduce shows, with rumors of the possible revival and ongoing talks concerning "The X-Files," "Prison Break" and "24." They've also seen success with their Batman prequel show "Gotham," so adding another superhero show to their roster was expected.

In fact, the possibility of an "X-Men" television series has been swirling around since spring of last year, when writer Simon Kinberg told the press that a television show would make sense, according to Slash Film. There was also a rumor that popped up last fall that the network was already "deep in development."

Considering the early talks, there's no news on what the aspect of the "X-Men" universe the television show will focus on, or if Fox had plans to connect the series to its film franchise.