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

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand its horizons by integrating the X-Men into its multi-phase narrative, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly in early discussions to helm this exciting new chapter. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the forefront of Marvel Studios' list to direct the upcoming X-Men film, although the specifics of these negotiations remain undisclosed.

The project, still in its early stages, will feature a screenplay penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's chief architect, Kevin Feige, is also on board as a producer. Details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration with the broader MCU are currently kept confidential.

Since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been steadily building anticipation for the X-Men's introduction. Through various multiverse-themed films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has subtly hinted at potential crossovers with iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X. While fans eagerly await The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, the much-anticipated X-Men have yet to make their official MCU debut.

The X-Men's presence will be significant in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The recent cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday included veteran X-Men actors like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men series, 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. Meanwhile, McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden, who played Magneto, Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Cyclops respectively, are yet to make their MCU appearances. This raises the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday might be setting the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown.

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

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Jake Schreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts*, which has grossed $173,009,775 globally according to Box Office Mojo, and earned an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes (with a 7/10 from our review), is now in the spotlight for this potential X-Men project.

As we await further developments on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can enjoy the buzz around a possible Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday, as teased by Alan Cumming himself.