Summary:
- After acquiring 20th Century Fox, Marvel Studios plans to make their own version of X-Men movie.
- The studio recruits Michael Leslie to pen the new title, who is currently writing the script for Now You See Me 3.
- Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast are the only current X-Men in the MCU, but the studio plans to introduce more in the future.
Marvel‘s cinematic universe is set to expand with a reboot of the X-Men, moving closer to reality as the project assembles its creative team. Following Disney‘s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Marvel Studios regained the rights to these beloved characters. While Deadpool & Wolverine will soon introduce mutants to the MCU audience, a dedicated X-Men-exlusive movie is actively being developed.
According to a recent Deadline report, Michael Lesslie has been tapped to pen the screenplay for the new X-Men film. As of now, Marvel Studios and Disney have not officially confirmed this piece of information.
The project is still in its early stages—without a director, release date, or cast. The search for a screenwriter began in Fall 2023, with Marvel engaging with various writers to explore potential visions for the film.
Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, brings experience from both this recent project and his earlier scripts for Assassin’s Creed (2016) and Macbeth (2015). He is also slated to writing the script for the upcoming Now You See Me 3.
The choice of director for the X-Men reboot will be a pivotal part of the rebooted Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially given the franchise’s significant legacy and the success of Marvel Studios’ recent animated series X-Men ’97 season 1.
So far, Ryan Reynolds‘ Deadpool, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast are the only X-Men from the previous Fox universe that has made their MCU debut. Sir Patrick Stewart‘s Professor X made his appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but there’s no confirmation that he will return for future titles.
Other Fox’s X-Men such as James Marsden‘s Cyclops, Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey, Rebecca Romijin’s Mystique, and Ian McKellen’s Magneto are all reported to be in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, which will hit theaters this July 26. However, Marvel Studios itself hasn’t confirmed any of these rumors, but nonetheless, Deadpool & Wolverine is a perfect chance to bring these beloved mutants into the fray.
If Marvel’s X-Men movie turns out to be a success, not only can it seamlessly introduce the iconic mutant team to the MCU, but also others such as the Midnight Suns.
