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

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to introduce the iconic X-Men into its expansive multi-phase narrative, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly at the forefront of this exciting development. According to Deadline, Schreier is in early discussions with Marvel Studios to direct a new X-Men film. Although the specifics of these negotiations are still under wraps, Schreier is said to be Marvel's top choice to helm this project.

The anticipated X-Men movie, currently in its early stages, is being scripted by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is also on board as a producer. Key details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration with the broader MCU remain closely guarded secrets.

Since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been meticulously building anticipation for the X-Men's entry. With ongoing multiverse themes in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, subtle hints have been dropped about potential interactions between characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current Avengers roster. While fans eagerly await The Fantastic Four: First Steps set to introduce Marvel's First Family in July, the X-Men's presence has been conspicuously absent until now.

The X-Men are set to make a significant impact in Avengers: Doomsday. The recent cast announcement for the film included veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who played Professor X, previously appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. McKellen, known for his role as Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), are yet to make their MCU debut. This raises the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday might serve as a covert Avengers vs. X-Men film.

Marvel has been keen on integrating the X-Men into the MCU, with Kevin Feige hinting that fans can expect to see the mutants within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, has been actively advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. Despite no official X-Men movie being scheduled yet, given the MCU's rapid pace, fans won't have to wait long to see these beloved characters in action.

The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday

View 12 Images

Meanwhile, Schreier's latest directorial venture, Thunderbolts*, hit theaters last weekend and has enjoyed a robust opening, grossing $173,009,775 worldwide, as reported by Box Office Mojo. The film, featuring an ensemble of anti-heroes, has also garnered critical acclaim, boasting an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving a 7/10 in our review.

As we await further developments on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans are buzzing about the potential showdown between Nightcrawler and Mister Fantastic in Avengers: Doomsday, a detail teased by Alan Cumming himself.