The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to introduce the iconic X-Men into its multi-phase storyline, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in discussions to helm the project. According to Deadline, Schreier is currently in early negotiations with Marvel Studios to direct the new X-Men film, positioning him as the top choice for the role.
The project, still in its early stages, will feature a script penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is also on board as a producer, though other specifics such as the cast, release date, and its integration into the broader MCU narrative remain confidential.
Since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been steadily laying the groundwork for the X-Men's debut. Through various multiverse-centric plots in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, subtle hints have been dropped about potential interactions between characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the existing Avengers roster. While fans will get to see the MCU's interpretation of the Fantastic Four in The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the much-anticipated X-Men have yet to make their official entrance.
However, the X-Men's presence will be felt in Avengers: Doomsday, as confirmed by last month's cast reveal featuring veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men series, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X, appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen, who played Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), are set to make their MCU debuts in Avengers: Doomsday. This has led to speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might essentially be an Avengers vs. X-Men film.
Marvel has been eager to bring an X-Men film to the MCU, with Kevin Feige hinting last year that fans could expect to see the X-Men within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men movie to be fast-tracked. Although no official X-Men movie has been scheduled yet, given the pace at which the MCU is expanding, fans won't have to wait long to see these beloved characters join the fray.
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Jake Schreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts*, which opened last weekend and has earned a global total of $173,009,775 (per Box Office Mojo), is also receiving critical acclaim with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (we rated it 7/10 in our review).
As we await further developments on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can engage with the online buzz surrounding a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday, as teased by Alan Cumming himself.
