THE APEX TIMES
Famke Janssen Tells Mediterran Film Festival Masterclass: Kane Parsons Should “Absolutely” Direct an ‘X-Men’ Film
At Malta’s Mediterran Film Festival in Valletta on July 1, Famke Janssen, discussing personal privacy and her path as an actor, also endorsed filmmaker Kane Parsons for a future in major franchise directing.
Famke Janssen said she believes filmmaker Kane Parsons should “absolutely” direct an X-Men film, making the remark during a masterclass chat last week at Malta’s Mediterran Film Festival in Valletta, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Janssen, speaking as a veteran star with high-profile experience in superhero franchise work, used the event to reflect on how she manages public attention and personal privacy. She discussed her decision to stay off social media, presenting it as part of her broader approach to keeping her private life separate from her professional work.
The festival setting also became a forum for Janssen to talk through her recent projects. The Hollywood Reporter reports that she addressed the “wild success” of Backrooms and Obsession, the films she referenced during the masterclass conversation at the Mediterran Film Festival.
Janssen’s comments on Parsons centered on directing, with The Hollywood Reporter characterizing her endorsement as a direct suggestion that he is ready for franchise-scale work. The report frames the exchange as informal, coming as part of a longer discussion rather than a formal casting announcement.
The appearance in Valletta matters for how major on-screen talent supports emerging filmmakers at international festivals. Masterclasses at events like the Mediterran Film Festival are typically designed to connect audiences and industry participants, and Janssen’s decision to highlight Parsons points to the festival’s role as a platform where creative careers are publicly discussed.
No further details about future franchise projects or any production steps tied to Janssen’s comments were included in the reported account. The endorsement, as described by The Hollywood Reporter, is an artist-to-artist recommendation made in a public festival setting rather than a studio statement or an official hiring confirmation.
Why It Matters
- Festival masterclasses are a public industry forum, and endorsements from established franchise actors can shape audience and industry attention around emerging directors.
- Janssen’s privacy remarks add to ongoing public discussion about how performers manage digital exposure and personal boundaries.
- The comments connect two areas of contemporary film culture, franchise recognition and the visibility of smaller or newer films such as Backrooms and Obsession.
- Because the account does not include studio or production commitments, the practical next step is clarification from franchise rights holders and studios on any future directing assignments.
- The episode underscores how international film events in Valletta continue to function as business and branding touchpoints for global film careers.
Key Facts
- Famke Janssen made remarks endorsing filmmaker Kane Parsons to direct an X-Men film during a masterclass chat at Malta’s Mediterran Film Festival in Valletta.
- The masterclass discussion took place last week, with coverage published on July 1, 2026 by The Hollywood Reporter.
- Janssen spoke about her personal privacy, including her refusal to join social media.
- She discussed the reported “wild success” of Backrooms and Obsession during the masterclass conversation.
- The report presents her comments as a suggestion and endorsement made in the festival context, not as an official franchise decision.