Brian Michael Bendis Confirms He's Still Working on The Kitty Pryde X-Men Film 143

About a year ago it was announced that comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis was hired to write the script for a Kitty Pryde X-Men movie that was going by the name of 143.

We haven’t heard much about the film since and assumed that it wasn’t going to happen due to the Disney and Fox merger. But, according to Bendis he is currently actively working on it, so the film hasn’t been killed off yet. When asked about the status of the project by a fan on Twitter, he responded:

Yeah, I’m working on it right now. It’s vvvvvvvery surreal and delightful to be so deep inside the X mansion and the fortress of solitude at the same time https://t.co/trsQtX4rS9

— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) February 4, 2019

This is actually a movie that I’d like to see happen. I’m a fan of the character Kitty Pryde and I think there’s an interesting story to tell. Deadpool director Tim Miller is attached to helm the project.

The title of the film, 143, is in reference to Uncanny X-Men No. 143, which was released in 1981. It’s one of the earliest Kitty Pryde stories and it focuses on her first solo adventure, which sees her face off with a demon alone in the X-Mansion. That comic comes from the creators of Kitty Pryde Chris Claremont and John Byrne.

Kitty Pryde, who is also known as Shadowcat, Ariel, and Sprite is a mutant who has the ability of "phase", which allows her to pass through solid objects, disrupt electromagnetic fields, and even levitate. Here's a full story summary of the comic:

It’s Christmas Eve but all of the X-Men are busy and leave Kitty behind at the mansion alone. Scott Summers calls from Florida, where he starts to work as sailorman for Lee Forrester. Later the mansion is attacked by a N’garai demon. Kitty tries to escape and phases through floor and walls but the demon keeps up. She lures it into the Danger Room, but it trashes every single weapon that the room throws at it. Finally Kitty escapes into the Hangar and manages to fry the demon with the Blackbird’s afterburners. Later the X-Men return with Kitty’s parents as a surprise, they are proud how well she handled the situation.

That would actually be a great story to tell and I hope that the film ends up getting made. We’ll just have to wait and see.