Jake Schreier Eyed for New X-Men Film

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to introduce the X-Men into its expansive multi-phase plans, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in early discussions to helm the project. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the top of Marvel Studios' list of potential directors for the new X-Men film, although the details of the negotiations remain undisclosed.

The script for this eagerly awaited X-Men movie is being penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is also attached as a producer, adding significant weight to the project. As of now, specifics such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration into the broader MCU narrative are still under wraps.

Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been steadily building anticipation for the X-Men's introduction. Through the intricate weaving of multiverse themes in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has teased potential crossovers with iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce fans to the MCU's version of Marvel's First Family in July, the iconic Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has yet to make its mark.

The X-Men's presence in the MCU is confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal included veteran X-Men actors like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, signaling a major role for the mutants in the film. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films and appeared briefly in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are all set to join the MCU for the first time in Avengers: Doomsday. This lineup raises the question: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

Marvel has been working towards an MCU X-Men film for some time. Kevin Feige assured fans last year that the X-Men would debut within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, has been pushing for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men movie. Although no official X-Men movie is on the current MCU timeline, given the speed the MCU is moving at, fans can expect to see their favorite mutants soon.

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Jake Schreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts*, which opened last weekend to a global box office of $173,009,775 (via Box Office Mojo), and an impressive 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (rated 7/10 in our review), is a strong candidate to direct the X-Men film.

As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can check out the internet's reaction to a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, as hinted by Alan Cumming himself.