Famke Janssen believes the future of the X-Men franchise lies in the hands of a YouTube sensation. During a masterclass appearance at the Mediterrane Film Festival in Malta, the actress who famously portrayed Jean Grey declared that Kane Parsons, director of the hit film Backrooms, should be given the opportunity to direct an X-Men movie .

"I absolutely think he should direct one," Janssen said, responding to a question from moderator John Ross of Vanity Fair . She praised Parsons and his collaborator Curry Barker for their innovative approach to filmmaking.

The actress highlighted their unconventional path to success, noting they built massive audiences on YouTube without traditional studio backing . Janssen described their work as "paradigm-shifting" and a blueprint for independent creators in the modern era .

Parsons' film Backrooms, produced on a modest budget of approximately $10 million, has become a significant box office success . Its unique visual style, achieved through elaborate practical sets rather than heavy CGI, particularly impressed Janssen.

The actress compared the film's aesthetic to legendary director Stanley Kubrick, calling it "Stanley Kubrick on crack" . She emphasized that the filmmakers' success demonstrates that big-budget productions are not the only path to creating compelling cinema .

"Their success has opened a door," Janssen said. "We don't have to go with this old-fashioned system where we make a movie for $300 million" .

This endorsement comes amid ongoing speculation about her return to the franchise. Janssen played Jean Grey across five films in the 20th Century Fox X-Men series . While she has expressed openness to reprising the role, she has not committed to any new projects.

Her comments about the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been notably candid. At Spacecon 2026, she suggested the studio made a mistake by not including her in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film . The project features several returning X-Men cast members, including Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen .

When asked about returning to the role during the Malta event, Janssen said she remains open to opportunities that present meaningful material and fit her schedule . She acknowledged that the character of Jean Grey continues to resonate with audiences.

Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a furniture store owner who discovers an otherworldly dimension . The film has been praised for its practical effects and atmospheric tension.