X-Men Film Eyes Thunderbolts' Jake Schreier as Director

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised to introduce the X-Men into its expansive narrative, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in discussions to helm the project. According to Deadline, Schreier is in the early stages of talks with Marvel Studios to direct the eagerly anticipated X-Men film. Although the specifics of the negotiations remain undisclosed, Schreier is said to be Marvel's top choice for the role.

The script for this upcoming X-Men movie has been penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's mastermind, Kevin Feige, is set to produce the film. However, details such as the cast, release date, and its integration with the broader MCU are still closely guarded secrets.

Since the release of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been methodically building anticipation for the X-Men's entry. Through multiverse storylines in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has subtly hinted at potential interactions between iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current Avengers roster. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to introduce Marvel's First Family in July, the X-Men have yet to make their official debut.

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is confirmed to feature a significant presence of X-Men characters, as evidenced by the recent cast announcement. Veterans from the Fox X-Men franchise, including Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and James Marsden (Cyclops), are all set to join the film. This raises the intriguing question of whether Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

Marvel has been working to bring an X-Men film to the MCU for some time. Kevin Feige assured fans last year that the X-Men would make their debut in the "next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. While no official X-Men movie has been slated yet, given the MCU's rapid pace, fans might not have to wait long to see these beloved characters in action.

The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday

View 12 ImagesMeanwhile, Schreier's recent directorial venture, Thunderbolts*, has made a strong debut, grossing $173,009,775 globally in its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. The film has also received positive reviews, boasting an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with our review awarding it a 7/10.

As we await further updates on Schreier's negotiations with Marvel, fans can enjoy the online buzz surrounding a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, as teased by Alan Cumming himself.