8) Gladiator
Enough about the failures of the last movie, though, let’s look at the massive potential that X-Men: Dark Phoenix has in its cosmic setting. Matching the original arc from the comics, the movie will see the X-Men travel to space and encounter the Shi’Ar Empire, who want to execute Jean Grey before she can do untold damage to the universe.
We know that Empress Lilandra will appear in the film, with Jessica Chastain rumoured to be lined up for the role. Apart from her though, the most obvious Shi’Ar character who should feature in the movie is Gladiator. The leader of Lilandra’s royal protectors the Imperial Guard, Gladiator is a super-strong anti-hero who’s been an ally and enemy to the X-Men over the years. His extreme loyalty (and unrequited love) for his queen is probably his most identifiable characteristic, so we’d expect him to be portrayed as a major thorn in the X-Men’s side in Dark Phoenix.
The rest of the Imperial Guard are all interesting, colourful characters, as well, with their own array of powers, and it would suit the movie’s apparent comic book fidelity if they also appeared.