Fox are one step closer to making that rumoured X-Men TV series a reality, but there’s one very big obstacle in their path; Marvel. While Fox owns the feature film rights to the characters, they’re going to need Marvel’s permission to move ahead with a new TV show.

“[For] X-Men, we’re in negotiations with Marvel. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to announce something soon. We’re not closed on a deal yet but it’s something we’re definitely pursuing,” Fox Television Group chairman and CEO Dana Walden said in an interview today.

While Marvel will have to sign off on the series, don’t expect the show to exist in the same world as those who call the Marvel Cinematic Universe home. “The characters from the X-Men franchise are with Fox on the feature side so we won’t be including Marvel characters that are at ABC with Disney. This will be exclusively the franchise as it has existed at Fox.”

Star Trek 3 writers Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne are penning the series and will share a “created by” credit with 24’s Evan Katz and Manny Coto, who also will serve as showrunners.

It’s interesting to wonder if Marvel will ask for anything in return from Fox for allowing them to move ahead with this X-Men TV series. Seeing as the movie division has completely butchered Fantastic Four (see our review by clicking here), getting them back would be nice!