Even after "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" wrapped up production, some aspects of the film are still thoroughly shrouded in mystery like the role Jessica Chastain will play. However, fans finally received some new information about her mysterious character recently, and it seems likely that the actress is playing a Skrull.
An Entertainment Weekly article for the upcoming movie describes Chastain's character as "an otherworldly shapeshifter who comes into contact with Phoenix." While she looks very human in her first "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" photo, the description indicates she will be playing something alien rather than a mutant.
There are many alien shapeshifters in Marvel's comic book universe like the Chitauri and Skrulls, but since Marvel owns the rights to the former, the latter would be the most plausible candidate for Chastain's on-screen race.
Skrulls are green-skinned aliens that are known for their ability to shapeshift and assume the identities of their enemies, with some possessing the ability to copy powersets as well.
YOUR FIRST LOOK AT @jes_chastain IN DARK PHOENIX. THIS WIG WORK IS A . ALSO HER PERFORMANCE IS !!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/JDDbmhpbQm #DarkPhoenix pic.twitter.com/no2Rr55xYG
— Tim Stack (@EWTimStack) December 7, 2017 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">As to which Skrull exactly she will portray remains a guesswork right now. However, the film's director and longtime "X-Men" producer Simon Kinberg hinted that the mystery character "is way way smarter than we are. What she realizes is she can use [Jean Grey] to manipulate this world, to turn it against itself."
That being said, fans are speculating she may be portraying a Skrull Queen named Veranke.
In the Marvel Comics, she is a religious zealot who was exiled on a deserted planet by then-ruler Dorrek VII after warning him of an impending homeworld disaster. When her prophecy came true, she became the empress of the empire and then later orchestrated a secret invasion of Earth executed over many years.
According to Comic Book, she easily fits all the hints given so far. Veranke is a shapeshifter and has the ability to manipulate others to divide and conquer other worlds. If she is indeed Chastain's character, the object of her prophecy in the movie could be the Phoenix. Fans can only speculate for now.
"X-Men: Dark Phoenix" will hit theaters on Nov. 2, 2018.
