The Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally incorporating the X-Men into its multi-phase storyline, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in discussions to spearhead the project.
According to Deadline, the filmmaker is in early talks with Marvel Studios to direct a new X-Men film. While the status of negotiations is unclear, Schreier is reportedly the top choice to lead the project.
The X-Men movie, still in early development, is said to feature a script by Michael Lesslie, writer of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is attached as a producer. Additional details—including casting, release date, and its connection to the MCU—remain under wraps.
Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been gradually building anticipation for the X-Men's arrival. With multiverse elements appearing in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has included subtle hints about how characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X could join the current Avengers. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce Marvel's First Family in July, the iconic mutant school has yet to appear.
The X-Men will feature in Avengers: Doomsday, as confirmed by last month's cast announcement. Veteran X-Men actors like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are set to appear, signaling a major X-Men presence in the film. Grammer previously portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise before making his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart played Professor X in the X-Men films and later appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are making their first MCU appearances. This raises the question: could Avengers: Doomsday secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?
Marvel has been working on an MCU X-Men film for some time. Feige confirmed last year that the X-Men would debut within "the next few movies." Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter recently revealed that Ryan Reynolds has been quietly advocating for a Deadpool and X-Men crossover. Although no official X-Men movie has been announced, given the MCU's current pace, fans may not have to wait long to see their favorite mutants join the action.
Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Missing from Doomsday Announcement
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Schreier recently released Thunderbolts* in theaters, where it has had a strong opening weekend. The film has earned a global total of $173,009,775 so far, according to Box Office Mojo. Critics have responded positively, with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (our review awarded it 7/10).
As we await further updates on Marvel's discussions with Schreier, explore the online reaction to a potential Nightcrawler and Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday—leaked by Alan Cumming himself.
