Jake Schreier Eyed for New X-Men Movie Direction

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to integrate the X-Men into its expansive narrative, and Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier is reportedly in the early stages of discussions to helm the project. According to Deadline, Schreier is the top choice for Marvel Studios to direct this new X-Men film, although the specifics of these negotiations remain undisclosed.

The X-Men movie, still in its early development phase, will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is attached as a producer, but other details such as the cast, release date, and the film's connection to the broader MCU are still under wraps.

The MCU has been gradually building anticipation for the X-Men's introduction since *Avengers: Endgame*. Through various multiverse-themed films like *The Marvels*, *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, and *Deadpool & Wolverine*, Marvel has subtly hinted at potential interactions between 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 MCU debut.

The X-Men's presence in the MCU will be significant in Avengers: Doomsday, as evidenced by the recent cast reveal featuring veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who played 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 in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden, who portrayed Magneto, Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Cyclops respectively, have yet to appear in the MCU. This raises the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday might serve as an Avengers vs. X-Men narrative.

Marvel has been actively working on bringing the X-Men into the MCU, with Kevin Feige promising their debut within "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 scheduled yet, given the MCU's rapid pace, fans can expect to see these beloved characters soon.

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View 12 ImagesSchreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts, which has grossed $173,009,775 globally and earned an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is a strong candidate to lead the X-Men project. As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can enjoy the buzz around a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, as hinted by Alan Cumming.