Jake Schreier Eyed for New X-Men Movie Direction

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand its horizons by finally integrating the X-Men into its multi-phase narrative, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in discussions to direct the highly anticipated X-Men film. According to Deadline, Schreier is in early talks with Marvel Studios, positioning him as the top choice to helm this project, though the specifics of these negotiations remain undisclosed.

The upcoming X-Men movie, still in its early stages of development, will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, the writer behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Kevin Feige, the architect of the MCU, is attached as a producer. Details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration with the broader MCU are currently under wraps.

Since the release of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been methodically building anticipation for the introduction of the X-Men. The ongoing multiverse narrative, seen in films such as The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, has included subtle hints about how iconic X-Men characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X might interact with the current Avengers roster. While fans will get to see the MCU's take on the Fantastic Four in The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the X-Men's presence has been notably absent until now.

The X-Men's integration into the MCU will be significant in Avengers: Doomsday. The recent cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday included veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, confirming their substantial roles in the film. 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, who portrayed Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), have yet to make their MCU debuts. 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. Kevin Feige has promised that fans will see the X-Men 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 slated yet, given the MCU's rapid pace, fans can expect to see these beloved characters join the fray soon.

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Jake Schreier, fresh off the success of Thunderbolts*, which has grossed $173,009,775 globally (via Box Office Mojo) and earned an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (with a 7/10 from our review), is now in the spotlight for this new venture.

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 himself.