"Dark Phoenix," released in 2019, was generally considered a box office flop. Despite a budget of around $200 million, it grossed approximately $252 million worldwide, failing to recoup its production and marketing costs. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences, with many citing issues with its pacing and character development. As a result, it marked a disappointing conclusion to the main X-Men film saga.

In "Dark Phoenix," Jean Grey becomes the Dark Phoenix after absorbing a powerful cosmic force during a mission in space. This force amplifies her telepathic and telekinetic abilities, unleashing her suppressed emotions and darker instincts. As she struggles to control this newfound power, Jean becomes increasingly unstable, leading to destructive behavior and conflicts with her friends and family. The transformation represents her internal battle between her humanity and the overwhelming power of the Dark Phoenix, ultimately exploring themes of identity and control.

Wolverine is not in "Dark Phoenix" primarily because the film focuses on the younger generation of X-Men rather than the original team. The movie is set in the timeline of the X-Men films that take place after "X-Men: Apocalypse" and features characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Storm. Additionally, by this point, Hugh Jackman had officially retired from his role as Wolverine, concluding his portrayal of the character in "Logan" (2017). The filmmakers aimed to shift the narrative focus away from Wolverine and explore new character arcs.

In "Dark Phoenix," Jean Grey, portrayed by Sophie Turner, becomes the Dark Phoenix after being exposed to a powerful cosmic force. This transformation amplifies her telepathic and telekinetic abilities but also leads to a struggle between her heroic nature and the overwhelming power that can drive her towards villainous actions. While she initially aims to protect her loved ones, her darker impulses threaten humanity, positioning her as both a tragic hero and a formidable villain. Ultimately, her journey explores themes of power, identity, and redemption.