X-Men: Dark Phoenix [1] has finally flown its way into theatres, so we have no doubt fans are already wondering what's happening next. The newest instalment of Fox's X-Men franchise follows Jean Grey's volatile journey [2] from a powerful mutant learning to control her abilities to the fiery Dark Phoenix, whose every step brings destruction to those around her. But even the movie's star-studded cast [3] — which includes Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner as Jean and Jessica Chastain as the manipulative alien looking to exploit her power — won't change the truth of its fate: Dark Phoenix will be the final film in Fox's X-Men saga.

If the lack of midcredits and postcredits scenes [4] didn't clue you in at first, the news predating the release of the film certainly should have. Since Disney has officially closed its $71.3 billion deal acquiring 20th Century Fox [5], the X-Men are set to be fully integrated with Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe [6] (MCU). Not only does that mean there's a huge chance the X-Men and the Avengers will work together in the future, but it also means a new era for the X-Men film franchise will begin. Unlike how X-Men: First Class introduced younger versions of our favourite mutants while still including the actors from the older generation of film — i.e. all of Hugh Jackman [7]'s cameos — we'll be getting a totally new iteration of all the characters.

To put it even more plainly, in March, Fox executive Emma Watts described Dark Phoenix as "the perfect send off" [8] for Fox's X-Men film franchise. So no, there will be no sequel to Dark Phoenix, but we will be seeing the X-Men again. Just with completely different actors and probably not anytime soon. After all, Disney is busy working on its full slate of movies coming out soon [9]!