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%
12. Rogue
Marvel project: The Marvels
First and foremost, this writer believes Rogue will make an appearance this year. And it could be in The Marvels. This would be an appropriate debut. Rogue stole Ms. Marvel’s (Carol Danvers, not Kamala Khan) powers in the comics and kept them longer than normal. It would only make sense that we see her in a project featuring Carol Danvers.
Not only could Rogue make an appearance, she may even use her abilities on one of the characters. Except it won’t be a long term thing. Although, if it did happen, the scene could take place during an end or mid-credit scene. It would be a great way to build up to Rogue’s next appearance. It could also lead to our next character.
Chance of seeing Rogue: 65%
11. Mystique
Marvel project: The Marvels
Raven Darkholme (Mystique) is another X-Men character that debuted outside of an X-Book. She made her first appearance in Ms. Marvel No. 16 and her first full appearance was soon after that. Since then, Mystique has been a pain in the sides of the X-Men. However, every so often, Mystique also pops in to make Carol’s life unbearable.
Mystique sent Rogue on the mission against the Avengers where Rogue absorbed Carol’s powers and memory. If Mystique were to appear in The Marvels, it would likely be a post movie scene similar to her comic book debut. She could be one or more people throughout the project, but not have her identity revealed until the very end. That’s where Mystique could tell Rogue to go after Carol Danvers.
Chance of seeing Mystique: 90%
10. Laura Kinney
Marvel project: Echo
Before Laura Kinney joined the X-Men and became Wolverine, she was homeless. It’s a tale that’s too dark to tell in the MCU (read NYX if you’d like to know more). However, her past of living on the streets could play into Echo. Maya Lopez needs someone to fight and Laura could be that person.
Every hero needs a challenge: She-Hulk’s was misogyny, Moon Knight’s was getting along with himself. Echo has two. One will be mentioned further on in this article. The second will be fighting. Maya Lopez could encounter Laura on her walkabout. Whether or not Laura will be Wolverine remains to be seen.
Chance of seeing Laura Kinney: 40%
9. Multiple Man
Marvel project: Ironheart
When Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox) first debuted, he fought Ben Grimm (Giant-Size Fantastic Four No. 4). A fight that wouldn’t have happened if Ben listened instead of fighting. Later, Madrox fought the entire Fantastic Four. Thankfully, Charles Xavier helped with the situation and ended the altercation before things worsened.
Madrox isn’t a character that needs a big introduction. This is why Ironheart is the best place for him to pop up. First, Riri Williams would be unstoppable after beating ten or more people at once. For Madrox, it would show off his powers, skills, and personality.
The Hood may be the main villain in Ironheart, but it wouldn’t be unheard of for him to enlist Multiple Man. Madrox could start out as a villain and change in the end.
Chance of seeing Multiple Man: 30%
8. Jubilee
Marvel project: Ironheart
Fans of Jubilation Lee can expect to see her in the proper setting if she makes her MCU debut, unlike what we saw in the 20th Century Fox films that fumbled her character twice. Ironheart would be the perfect setting for her to appear. It’s a series where Jubilee can be a teenager around a younger Riri Williams. And, if you’re a fan of the Ironheart comic, you know what Riri went through. Jubilee could be the one to help her through a traumatic time. Since she can relate to losing loved ones due to violence (see Wolverine No. 74 1993 for more on that).
Chance of seeing Jubilee: 30%
7. Marrow
Marvel project: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In the 1990’s, Marrow was a popular character. So much so that she was one of the X-Men that appeared in the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 video game. After that, she sort of fell into the background. It didn’t help that she lost her powers on M-Day. That effectively stopped her momentum.
Marrow is part of a group of mutants called the Morlocks. Because of their appearances, they stay in the sewer. As we’ve seen, the origin of characters change when adapted to live-action depending on the story. Instead of her living in the sewer, she could be from the Quantum Realm if she were to appear in the MCU. It shouldn’t be unheard of that mutants could be in that realm. After making their way to Earth, the Morlocks could go to the sewer like the source material. This would be an amazing way to bring in dozens of mutants.
Chance of seeing Marrow: 15%
6. Bishop
Marvel project: Loki
Bishop is from a horrible timeline full of mutant suffering. For example, the letter M was tattooed on their faces. This is how they let the world know who was a mutant. As if that wasn’t enough, they were put into camps, starved, and beaten.
With the Time Variance Authority supposedly keeping the multiverse in check in the MCU, Bishop may take issue with them not protecting his reality. Even if he isn’t upset with the TVA, a younger Bishop could be seen while Loki and Morbius travel around the multiverse. This could be how Bishop discovers time travel as a way to change his fate and save mutants from his future.
Chance of seeing Bishop: 50%
5. Magik
Marvel project: Agatha: Coven of Chaos
One thing 20th Century Fox did right was cast Anya Taylor-Joy as Magik. She was a great representation of the character (minus the racist remarks). It’s doubtful that Taylor-Joy will come back as Magik, but that doesn’t mean the character won’t be seen again. In fact, Agatha: Coven of Chaos is the perfect place for her to appear.
It’s unknown what era Agatha Harkness will be in in the upcoming Disney Plus series. However, it doesn’t matter, because magic is something that goes beyond and can manipulate time. Plus, if Marvel Studios wanted to debut a powerful mutant with magical powers, Illyana Rasputin is the way to go.
Chance of seeing Magik: 80%
4. Abigail Brand
Marvel project: Secret Invasion
In November, a mistake was made on the official Tenor account for Secret Invasion. The title of the gif hinted that Emilia Clarke was playing Abigail Brand in the upcoming Disney Plus series. The gif title has been changed to say “Its The Beginning Emilia Clark“.
As of now, it’s uncertain if this was a mistake or a spoiler. Nevertheless, if Clarke is Abigail Brand, she could be a mutant. Her first appearance was in Astonishing X-Men, she used to date Hank McCoy, and she’s half alien and half mutant.
This makes the most sense and is almost a guarantee. Maybe she’ll be the first to mention the X-Men in the MCU. (Jennifer Walters does count but she technically wasn’t *in* in the MCU when she asked about them.)
Chance Abigail Brand being a mutant: 99.99999999%
3. Sabretooth
Marvel project: Echo
Sabretooth preys on those he perceives as weak, often overlooking strength in the process. But that’s his weakness. Sometimes he makes the mistake of thinking that all women are frail. If he were to have the same thinking in the MCU and came after Maya Lopez in Echo, he would find out how big of a mistake that was.
It’s wishful thinking that Laura Kinney will appear in Echo. However, Sabretooth is a realistic possibility. He’s an X-Man villain that everyone loves and hates. Having him appear in this Disney Plus show would increase the hype. Since Sabretooth sometimes kills for money, there’s a chance that Wilson Fisk could send him after her.
Chance of seeing Sabretooth: 75%
2. Gambit
Marvel project: Echo
Everyone loves Gambit. He’s charming, has a cool accent, and amazing powers. The funny thing is the animated series didn’t truly do him justice. Remy LeBeau is even better in the comics. Hopefully his first appearance in the MCU will make fans happy.
Echo is the perfect place for him. Maya Lopez doesn’t need a romantic interest. She’s amazing on her own. Gambit could flirt with her and she could turn him down. Gambit, being the gentleman that he is, would still help Maya even though she turned him down. Although, if anyone was going to be her love interest, Gambit is a good choice.
Chance of seeing Gambit: 20%
1. Wolverine
Marvel project: Secret Invasion or Echo
This is the character every fan of the X-Men is waiting to see. He was teased in She-Hulk in a moment you may have missed. That means he already exists. It was a nice way of letting fans know that, “the best there is at what he does” is coming. And, as much as this writer would like to see it happen, it’s a longshot. However, like Jim Carrey said in Dumb and Dumber, there is a chance.
Logan has a connection to Nick Fury in the comics. Fury is one of the few people that Logan actually trusts (even though he shouldn’t). If he needs help, Wolverine is one of the few people that he can count on to help. With the Skrulls invading and no one left to trust, Fury may go to ol’ faithful.
At the very least, expect Wolverine to be mentioned in some way in this series or whatever the last Marvel Studios project of 2023 will be. He’s coming. We just don’t know when yet.
Chance of seeing: 15%
Chance of Wolverine being mentioned: 75%
What do you think, readers? What other X-Men, mutants, or related characters could appear in the MCU in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.