Oscar Isaac to play villain in 'X-Men: Apocalypse

Oscar Isaac has closed a deal to play the main villain in X-Men: Apocalypse, TheWrap has learned.

Isaac has been the frontrunner to play Apocalypse for the past two weeks, though Idris Elba and Pedro Pascal were also under consideration, since a deal was never a foregone conclusion.

Apocalypse's real name is En Sabah Nur, which translates to "the first one," alluding to the fact that he is considered the first human born with the mutant-X gene. Given his ancient heritage, he is extremely powerful and considers himself a God.

Bryan Singer is directing the comic book sequel for 20th Century Fox.

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'X-Men: Apocalypse': Who's Being Eyed to Play Young Jean Grey, Cyclops? (Exclusive) - TheWrap

X-Men Apocalypse will highlight Magneto's romance with Mystique, putting starsMichael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence front and center alongside James McAvoyand many more mutants.

Chloe Moretz, Elle Fanning and Oscar-nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld are among the teenage leading ladies being eyed to play young Jean Grey, while Ben Hardy,Charlie Rowe and Timothee Chalamet are under consideration for the role of young Cyclops.

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Michelle MacLaren Closes Deal to Develop and Direct 'Wonder Woman' - TheWrap

Apocalypse is scheduled to start production in the spring, as Fox will release the film on May 27, 2016. The most recent entry in the comic book franchise, X-Men: Days of Future Past, grossed nearly $750 million worldwide.

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'What's the Deal?' With 'A Most Violent Year': Chemistry Between Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain Works Wonders (Video) - TheWrap

Simon Kinberg wrote the script, based on a story credited to Singer, Kinberg, Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris. Singer and Lauren Shuler Donner are producing with Kinberg and Hutch Parker. Emma Watts and Daria Cercek will oversee for the studio.

Isaac recently starred in Inside Llewyn Davis and will next be seen opposite Jessica Chastain in J.C. Chandor's A Most Violent Year. He also plays a hero in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Isaac is represented by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.