"X-Men Movie Eyes Thunderbolts Director Jake Schreier"

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to integrate the X-Men into its expansive multi-phase storyline, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly in discussions to helm the eagerly awaited X-Men film. According to Deadline, Schreier is in early talks with Marvel Studios to direct the project, although the specifics of the negotiations are still under wraps. He is currently at the top of Marvel's list of potential directors for this venture.

The upcoming X-Men movie, which is still in its early stages of development, will feature a screenplay penned by Michael Lesslie, the writer behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's chief, Kevin Feige, is also on board as a producer. Details such as the cast, release date, and its connection to the broader MCU remain closely guarded secrets.

Since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been strategically laying the groundwork for the X-Men's introduction. Through the ongoing multiverse narratives in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has been dropping subtle hints about potential interactions between characters like Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X and the current Avengers roster. While fans are set to meet the MCU's version of The Fantastic Four in The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the iconic Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has yet to make its appearance.

The X-Men's presence in the MCU will be solidified with Avengers: Doomsday, where a significant number of veteran X-Men actors will reprise their roles. The cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday last month included Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men series, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his portrayal of Charles Xavier/Professor X, briefly appeared 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 debut. This leads to speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might be a covert Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

Marvel has been actively working on bringing the X-Men into the MCU, with Kevin Feige promising that fans would see their debut within “the next few movies.” THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, the actor behind Deadpool, has been quietly advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film to be fast-tracked. Although no official X-Men movie has been slated yet, given the pace at which the MCU is moving, fans won't have to wait long to see their favorite mutants join the fray.

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Schreier's most recent project, Thunderbolts*, hit theaters last weekend and has enjoyed a robust start, earning a global total of $173,009,775 according to Box Office Mojo. The film, which focuses on an ensemble of anti-heroes, has also received positive feedback from critics, boasting an impressive 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Our review gave it a 7/10.

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