Marvel Studios is finally about to prioritize the X-Men in the MCU

Oh, how the tides are turning, and for X-Men fans, they are turning gloriously: the X-Men could finally be on their way to the MCU and we are all here for it.

We’ve been waiting with hearts pounding and hands clammy with anticipation, holding onto whispers and nothing more than crumbs when it comes to a much overdue X-Men comeback. And at last, there’s a light starting to shine through the anticipation tunnel: Marvel Studios is reportedly ready to embark on the journey to revamp the X-Men for a return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Fans have been hangry for a new X-Men installment ever since Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. The X-Men universe was the jewel in the crown for Fox, with seven glorious movies and a successful Wolverine spinoff franchise. It ended on a lacklustre note with the critical and commercial failure of Dark Phoenix which came out the same year as the acquisition. After that, long-gestating spinoff New Mutants was released in 2020 (also to negative reviews and a lackluster box office performance).

Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president, has been spearheading the developmental process of the X-Men’s arrival in the MCU. Although the reboot was more talk than walk, the hints dropped here and there in the Marvel universe kept the hope going – that mind-blowing scene in the Ms. Marvel series where a character whispers “mutant” definitely had me pointing at the TV like the Leo meme. After that came the confirmation that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Namor was the MCU’s first mutant. And let’s not forget Sir Patrick Stewart’s cameo as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The X-Men could be on their way to the MCU

According to Deadline, Marvel Studios is set to start meeting with writers for pitches on its highly anticipated X-Men movie later this fall. It’s definitely an exciting possibility as the X-Men are the one aspect of the Marvel world that fans have been longing to see adapted in the MCU, but here’s a gentle reminder to keep the excitement in check: Marvel has the luxury of time to make a perfect choice. The selection decision will probably be made in the early months of 2024. But who’s complaining? The wheels to bring back our favorite X-Men are in motion, and that’s a victory in itself.

Also, for those who adore the nostalgia of the classic ‘90s animated series, behold the grand return with X-Men ‘97, all set to come out on Disney+ in early 2024. The X-citement (haha, sorry) is mounting, and we can only sit and wait as time does it thing and takes forever to bring us the good stuff.

In the midst of the SAG-AFTRA strike and a slow market, the news of Marvel prioritizing X-Men comes as a breath of fresh air, a beacon of hope for both fans and the industry. As writers prime themselves for the pitch meetings, the possibilities are endless. Who will write the next X-chapter? How will the mutants come into play in the MCU?

Marvel rolling the X-dice is the kind of news we’ve all been waiting for. As we count down to more updates, one thing is clear: the X-Men are set for a triumphant, epic return, and we are all here for it.

Are you excited at the prospect of the MCU finally setting the wheels in motion on an X-Men project?