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

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand with the much-anticipated introduction of the X-Men into its multi-phase narrative. According to Deadline, Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is in early discussions with Marvel Studios to helm a new X-Men film. While the specifics of these negotiations remain undisclosed, Schreier is reportedly at the forefront of Marvel's list of potential directors for this project.

The X-Men movie, which is still in its early stages of development, will feature a screenplay penned by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's mastermind 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 storyline are currently under wraps.

Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been subtly building excitement for the X-Men's entry into the franchise. Through the multiverse plotlines in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has teased the potential interactions between iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X with the current roster of Avengers. While fans eagerly await The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, the long-awaited appearance of the X-Men has yet to materialize.

The X-Men's presence in the MCU will be confirmed in Avengers: Doomsday. Last month's cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday included several veteran X-Men actors, including 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, known for playing Charles Xavier/Professor X, appeared briefly in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. McKellen, who played Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), are yet to make their MCU appearances, leading to speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men film.

Marvel has been keen on introducing the X-Men to the MCU, with Kevin Feige hinting last year that fans could expect 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 movie. Although no official X-Men movie has been scheduled 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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Meanwhile, Jake Schreier's latest directorial venture, Thunderbolts*, has hit theaters and is performing strongly, earning a global total of $173,009,775 according to Box Office Mojo. The film, which features an ensemble of anti-heroes, has also received positive reviews, boasting an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7/10 rating in our review.

As we await further developments on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, the internet is abuzz with reactions to a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, a detail that was leaked by Alan Cumming himself.