The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand its universe with the much-anticipated inclusion of the X-Men, and Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier is reportedly in early discussions to helm this new venture. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the top of Marvel Studios' list to direct the upcoming X-Men film, though the specifics of the negotiations remain undisclosed.
The project, still in its early stages, will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the MCU, is set to produce. Details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration into the broader MCU narrative are currently under wraps.
The MCU has been steadily building anticipation for the X-Men's introduction since *Avengers: Endgame*. Through various multiverse-themed films like *The Marvels*, *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, and *Deadpool & Wolverine*, Marvel has been dropping hints about potential interactions between characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current Avengers lineup. While *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* is slated to introduce the MCU's version of Marvel's First Family in July, the X-Men have yet to make their official debut.The X-Men's presence will be significant in Avengers: Doomsday, as confirmed by last month's cast reveal, which included veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, 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. McKellen, who portrayed Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), have yet to appear in the MCU. This raises the question: could Avengers: Doomsday be a covert Avengers vs. X-Men film?
Marvel has been eager to introduce the X-Men into the MCU, with Kevin Feige promising their debut within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. While no official X-Men movie has been scheduled yet, given the MCU's rapid pace, fans won't have to wait long to see these beloved characters join the fray.
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Schreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts, which has grossed $173,009,775 globally and earned an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (with our review giving it a 7/10), is poised to bring his directorial talents to the X-Men.
As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can enjoy the online buzz surrounding a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, as hinted by Alan Cumming.
