New X-Men Movie Reportedly Has Thunderbolts* Director Jake Schreier in Its Sights

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand its horizons by integrating the iconic X-Men into its multi-phase narrative, with Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier reportedly in early talks to helm the new X-Men movie. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the top of Marvel Studios' list, though the details of the negotiations remain undisclosed.

The script for this eagerly anticipated 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 attached as a producer. While specifics such as the cast, release date, and its integration into the broader MCU are still under wraps, excitement is building.

The MCU has been laying the groundwork for the X-Men's introduction since *Avengers: Endgame*, with multiverse themes becoming increasingly prevalent in films like *The Marvels*, *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, and *Deadpool & Wolverine*. These movies have included subtle hints about how characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X might intersect with the current Avengers lineup. While *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* will introduce Marvel's First Family in July, the X-Men's presence has been eagerly awaited.

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday will prominently feature the X-Men, with a cast announcement last month confirming the inclusion of 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 series, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart reprised his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden have yet to make their MCU appearances, sparking speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

Marvel has been working towards an MCU X-Men film for some time. Kevin Feige hinted last year that the X-Men would appear in "the next few movies." Meanwhile, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. Though no official X-Men movie has been announced, given the MCU's pace, fans won't have to wait long to see their favorite mutants join the fray.

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View 12 ImagesJake Schreier, fresh off the successful release of Thunderbolts, which has grossed $173,009,775 globally according to Box Office Mojo and scored an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes (with a 7/10 in our review), is poised to bring his vision to the X-Men.

As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans are buzzing over the potential for a Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, as hinted by Alan Cumming.