The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is finally bringing the X-Men into its multi-phase plans, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly in talks to lead the charge.
Deadline reports that the filmmaker is currently in early discussions with Marvel Studios to direct an upcoming X-Men movie. While deal specifics remain unclear, insider sources indicate Schreier has emerged as Marvel's top choice for the project.
The still-developing X-Men film will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, writer of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel president Kevin Feige will serve as producer. Key details like casting choices, release timeline, and connections to the broader MCU remain tightly guarded secrets.
Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been strategically planting seeds for the X-Men's arrival. Recent films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine have subtly hinted at potential mutant crossovers. While The Fantastic Four's MCU debut is coming this July, the absence of any Xavier School references has left fans speculating.
We now know X-Men characters will feature prominently in Avengers: Doomsday, as confirmed by last month's star-studded cast announcement. Original X-Men actors including Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), alongside Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) and James Marsden (Cyclops) are all confirmed. This massive involvement raises obvious questions - could this secretly be setting up an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown?
Marvel has made no secret of its X-Men ambitions. Feige hinted last year that mutants would debut within the next few films, while recent reports suggest Ryan Reynolds has been championing a Deadpool/X-Men crossover. Though no official X-Men project appears on Marvel's current slate, the studio's rapid development pace suggests mutants won't keep fans waiting much longer.
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Schreier's recent success with Thunderbolts* demonstrates his ability to handle Marvel properties. The anti-hero ensemble has earned $173 million globally in its opening weekend (per Box Office Mojo) and impressively maintains an 88% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes (we awarded it a 7/10 in our review).
While we await further developments on Schreier's potential X-Men involvement, there's already buzz about Alan Cumming's leaked hints regarding a possible Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday.
