The Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally integrating the X-Men into its expansive multi-phase storyline, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in discussions to spearhead the project.
Deadline reveals that the filmmaker is in preliminary talks with Marvel Studios to direct an upcoming X-Men film. While negotiation details remain undisclosed, sources indicate Schreier currently tops Marvel's shortlist of potential directors.
This early-stage X-Men project will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, writer of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will serve as producer. Key details - including casting, release timeline, and MCU connectivity - remain tightly guarded.
The MCU has gradually built anticipation for X-Men's introduction through recent multiverse narratives in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine. While July's The Fantastic Four: First Steps will debut Marvel's First Family in the MCU, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has yet to appear.
X-Men characters will make significant appearances in Avengers: Doomsday, as evidenced by last month's casting announcements. Returning X-Men veterans include Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and James Marsden (Cyclops) - all making their MCU debuts except Stewart, who previously appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Marvel has steadily progressed toward an X-Men reboot, with Feige promising the mutants' arrival within upcoming films. Reports suggest Ryan Reynolds has privately advocated for a Deadpool/X-Men crossover project. While no official X-Men film appears on Marvel's current slate, the studio's rapid development pace suggests the wait won't be lengthy.
Notable Avengers Absent From Doomsday Announcement
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Schreier's Thunderbolts* launched successfully last weekend, earning $173 million globally according to Box Office Mojo. The antihero ensemble has also garnered critical acclaim, maintaining an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (IGN awarded it 7/10 in our review).
While Marvel's negotiations with Schreier develop, fans speculate about a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday - a detail possibly revealed by Alan Cumming himself.
