Thunderbolts* Director Jake Schreier Eyed for New X-Men Movie

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand with the introduction of the X-Men, and Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier is reportedly in early discussions to helm the upcoming X-Men movie. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the top of Marvel Studios' list to direct this eagerly awaited project, though the specifics of the negotiations are still under wraps.

The script for the new X-Men film is penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, with Marvel's Kevin Feige on board as a producer. Details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration into the broader MCU narrative are yet to be revealed.

The MCU has been laying the groundwork for the X-Men's entry since Avengers: Endgame, incorporating multiverse elements in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine. These movies have subtly hinted at potential interactions between iconic X-Men characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current Avengers lineup. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to introduce the MCU's version of the First Family in July, the X-Men have remained absent from the spotlight until now.

The X-Men's presence in the MCU will be solidified in Avengers: Doomsday, with a cast reveal last month confirming the involvement of veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer reprised his role as Beast from the Fox X-Men franchise in The Marvels' post-credits scene, while Stewart briefly appeared as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden are yet to make their MCU debuts, fueling speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be a covert Avengers vs. X-Men film.

Marvel has been eager to bring the X-Men into the MCU, with Kevin Feige hinting at their debut in "the next few movies." Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) mentioned that Ryan Reynolds has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men movie. While no official X-Men film has been scheduled yet, given the MCU's pace, fans may not have to wait long to see their favorite mutants join the fray.

The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday

View 12 ImagesMeanwhile, Schreier's latest directorial venture, Thunderbolts, has enjoyed a successful launch, grossing $173,009,775 globally according to Box Office Mojo. The film has also garnered critical acclaim, achieving an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7/10 in our review.

As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can explore the internet's reaction to a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday, a scenario teased by Alan Cumming himself.