Anticipation is building for the X-Men's arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The legendary mutants have been an integral part of comic book history for decades, and they made the jump to the big screen in 2000 with 20th Century Fox's game-changing movie series that ran for almost two decades. But now, they are slowly making their way to the biggest movie franchise of all time.
Marvel Studios is actively developing an X-Men movie in the MCU. It's expected to arrive in movie theaters in either 2028 or shortly after it, as the franchise's new chapter will have begun at that stage. The two upcoming Avengers movies will close out the Multiverse Saga, but that saga has also been imperative in opening the door for the X-Men's arrival, particularly due to the return of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.
The rest of the X-Men, however, will likely be recast for the new project, and rumor has it that Marvel Studios is particularly interested in casting a big name for one of the team's most iconic members.
Marvel reportedly eyeing DeWanda Wise to play Storm in the MCU
Marvel may be preparing to cast its next generation of X-Men stars. According to scooper account Marvel News, the studio is eyeing DeWanda Wise to portray Storm in an upcoming MCU film, which would mark the debut of the Omega-Level mutant in the franchise. Needless to say that she would be a phenomenal choice to play the iconic character if this is indeed the case.
DeWise is a veteran of Hollywood, with starring roles in Netflix dramedy She's Gotta Have It and Fox miniseries Shots Fired. She also played a supporting role in Jurassic World Dominion and will next appear in drama film Love, Brooklyn. Joining the MCU would undoubtedly be another major career highlight for her, and there is no doubt that she would make a great Storm.
Whenever Storm does make her live-action debut in the MCU, it will technically be the character's second appearance in the franchise. She made her official MCU debut in the third and final season of animated series What If...?, in which she was voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith (who reprises the role from X-Men: The Animated Series and Marvel Studios' own X-Men '97). That was a variant of the character from a parallel dimension who became the Goddess of Thunder after wielding Thor's hammer Mjolnir.
The hero, along with her X-Men family, is expected to arrive in the MCU's main continuity after the Multiverse Saga concludes. While we wouldn't rule out some cameo appearances from the original X-Men movie cast (which may well include Halle Berry's Storm), the new X-Men will likely make their debut when that particular chapter comes to a close. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that the next chapter of the MCU will be "The Mutants' Era", so the X-Men are likely to be front and center.
We know that Storm is on her way to the beloved Marvel Studios franchise. The only question is: Who will play her? If the rumors of Marvel's interest in casting DeWanda Wise as the character are true, then the role of the iconic mutant is in very safe hands.
We'll have to wait and see how it pans out for the legendary Ororo Munroe, but we can't wait to see Storm fly onto our screens.