Marvel: 13 X-Men characters we may see in the MCU in 2023
By Mark Lynch
What mutants, X-Men, or X-related characters could we see this year in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What is the likelihood of them appearing? Keep reading to find out.
In 2022, Marvel Studios gave fans something they’ve wanted since the announcement of the Disney and Fox merger: Mutants were officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It started with Kamala Khan in Ms. Marvel. Then, Namor flat out said he’s a mutant Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A debate could also be made that Ursa Major was the first mutant to appear in the MCU (he was in Black Widow), but it hasn’t been confirmed.
Looking forward to 2023, there are a lot of opportunities for more mutants to make their debuts. It may not seem like it since a few of the projects won’t be on Earth. However, that’s the beauty of the X-Men and mutants: They’re all over the place. For example, there’s Celia Reyes. She could certainly be the doctor that Riri Williams meets when her father and best friend are in the hospital.
With the announcement of two mutants in 2022, we should expect to see more this year. Here are the X-Men this writer thinks we could see.
13. The Shi’ar
Marvel project: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
They aren’t X-Men, but they are characters from the X-Book. They’re also one of the most important parts of the Dark Phoenix Saga. Not having them featured in any live-action adaptation is one of the reasons the two Dark Phoenix attempts failed. Introducing them before the X-Men would go a long way to doing the Dark Phoenix Saga right (if Marvel Studios wanted to go that route).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the perfect place for them to pop up. It doesn’t have to be a big appearance. Seeing them would be enough. As great as it would be for one of the Imperial Guard to fight the Guardians of the Galaxy, if the Shi’ar does appear, it will probably only be one of their citizens.
Chance of seeing The Shi’ar: 85%