'X-Men: Apocalypse' news: Film is 'the culmination' of previous movies, says Simon Kinberg

X-Men Days of Future Past20th Century Fox

The last two "X-Men" films, "X-Men First Class" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past," saw the younger versions of the original characters, with Jennifer Lawrence playing Mystique, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, and James McAvoy as Professor Xavier. But next year's film might be the last time that the actors will be portraying the roles.

Screenwriter and producer Simon Kinberg has said that "X-Men: Apocalypse" will be the finale of the current installments in the popular movie franchise. Speaking to Collider, Kinberg said the upcoming film "delivers on the dramatic story and emotion of the last two movies." 

"It feels like the culmination of the four main characters really — McAvoy, Fassbender, Nic Hoult, and Jen," he added.

Kinberg revealed that "Apocalypse" will also be bigger in both physical scale and emotional stakes because it is the culmination of the trilogy of stories. 

Of the four actors, only Lawrence has publicly confirmed that "Apocalypse" will be her last "X-Men" movie. Meanwhile, Hoult has previously said that he would be glad to return in future installments to reprise his role. 

The new movie will see the X-Men battling Apocalypse, who, according to Marvel Comics Wikia, was born nearly 5,000 years ago and is thought to be the very first mutant in existence. Sometime during the 15th Century, he created the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse — Pestilence, Famine, War, and Death, and he rode among them. Because Apocalypse's powers include Immortality, superhuman strength, speed, invulnerability, teleportation, flight, bio-molecular alteration, energy manipulation, and the power to control technology, it will take more than one X-Men member to defeat him. 

"X-Men: Apocalypse" will also feature new actors taking on familiar characters such as Jean Grey, who will be played by Sophie Turner; Storm, to be played by Alexanda Shipp; Cyclops, to be portrayed by Tye Sheridan; and Havok, to be played by Lucas Till.

"X-Men: Apocalypse" premieres May 2016.