Danny E. Martindale/Getty ImagesNeed a heavenly pick-me-up?
It's officially official: Angel will be in X-Men: Apocalypse, Bryan Singer confirmed exclusively to Empire, and 24-year-old British actor Ben Hardy will be playing the part!
"Ben Hardy is Angel–I shall confirm it for you!" said Singer. "But he's not a very nice Angel! And that's all I'll say..."
Ominous much?! Singer also provided his fav film magazine with an exclusive piece of concept art, showing character "in two guises—with wings furled and then unfurled." Empire noted, however, that those wings "look less like feathers and more like daggers," which prompted them to wonder, "Might we also be able to meet Archangel?"
If you asked who?, not to worry. Empire offered up a pretty succinct explanation: "Apocalypse (played by Oscar Isaac) is a super-powerful mutant supported by the Horsemen, four artificially augmented mutants whose duty it is to do their master's bidding. Perhaps the most famous Horseman of them all is Warren Worthington III, who was transformed from the blond, blue-eyed Angel into Death, aka the blue-skinned Archangel, complete with knives for wings."
X-Men: Apocalypse isn't due in theaters until next year, so you've got some time to read up on your Marvel comics before then if need be. Hardy, a former EastEnders star, won't be the only newcomer, either: Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner and Tye Sheridan were announced as as Storm, Jean Grey and Cyclops earlier this year; Kodi Smit-McPhee will be playing Nightcrawler. Returning stars include James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique) and Nicholas Hoult (Beast). Sadly, Lawrence told MTV this film would be her "last one" in the superhero franchise. Hoult told E! News X-Men: Apocalypse was the last film he was contractually obligated to do, but he seemed open to the possibility of playing Beast again beyond that.
No word yet on McAvoy and Fassbender, whose contracts reportedly run out after this flick as well. X- Men Apocalypse hits theaters May 27, 2016.