Jake Schreier Eyed to Direct New X-Men Film

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to introduce the X-Men into its expansive multi-phase narrative, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly in early discussions to helm this eagerly anticipated project. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the forefront of Marvel Studios' list of potential directors, though the details of these negotiations remain shrouded in secrecy.

The forthcoming X-Men film, still in its nascent stages, boasts a screenplay 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, anticipation is high, though specifics such as the cast, release date, and its integration within the MCU are yet to be disclosed.

Since the events of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been steadily laying the groundwork for the X-Men's arrival. With the multiverse playing a pivotal role in films such as The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, subtle hints have been dropped about potential interactions between iconic X-Men characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current Avengers roster. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps is slated to introduce the MCU's version of Marvel's First Family in July, the X-Men's iconic school for mutants has yet to make its debut.

The X-Men's presence will be unmistakable in Avengers: Doomsday. The cast announcement last month featured a lineup of seasoned X-Men actors including Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, confirming their significant roles in the film. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X, appeared briefly in the MCU through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are set to make their MCU debut in Avengers: Doomsday, sparking speculation about whether the film might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown.

Marvel has been actively working on an MCU X-Men film, with Kevin Feige promising fans a debut within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reports that Ryan Reynolds, the star of Deadpool, has been quietly advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. Although no official X-Men movie is yet on the MCU's release calendar, given the pace at which the MCU is progressing, fans won't have to wait long to see these beloved characters join the fray.

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Schreier recently launched Thunderbolts* into theaters, which has seen a robust opening, grossing $173,009,775 globally so far, according to Box Office Mojo. The film, featuring an ensemble of anti-heroes, has also garnered critical acclaim, boasting an impressive 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with our review giving it a 7/10.

As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans are buzzing online about the potential for a Nightcrawler vs. Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, a detail that was leaked by Alan Cumming himself.