Insights from X-Men Producer for Marvel Studios Prior to MCU Reboot

Summary

The key to a successful X-Men reboot in the MCU is to prioritize the vibrant and complex characters, as they are the strength of the franchise.

Marvel Studios can attract highly skilled actors who will breathe new life into the characters by carefully selecting the appropriate individuals. Simon Kinberg, known for his work as a writer and producer on various X-Men films, enthusiastically supports Marvel's approach and wholeheartedly embraces the X-Men franchise.

Simon Kinberg, the writer and producer behind several of Fox's X-Men films, has provided Marvel Studios with a valuable suggestion regarding the upcoming reboot of the X-Men franchise within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige announced the development of an MCU X-Men project at SDCC 2019, and recent progress has sparked renewed excitement for the highly anticipated endeavor. While specific details about the project remain scarce, mutant characters have already begun to make their way into the MCU, with a significant leap forward expected in Deadpool 3, which revisits Fox's X-Men franchise in 2024.

During an interview with SlashFilm, Simon Kinberg, who was involved in writing and producing X-Men projects from 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand to 2020's The New Mutants, shared a valuable piece of advice with Marvel Studios. Kinberg emphasized the significance of the vibrant and multifaceted characters within Marvel's mutant storylines, suggesting that selecting the appropriate characters for the MCU's X-Men would attract highly talented actors. Marvel's X-Men-focused narratives deliver some of the most personal and relatable storylines, underscoring the utmost importance of carefully choosing which X-Men characters to recast with new actors in the MCU.

The strength of the 'X-Men' lies in its characters, which is a very cliché but true statement. While the movies require great storytelling, plot, and action sequences like the comics, what makes the 'X-Men' stand out is that they possess the most diverse and interesting characters in any comic book. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on the characters when casting the best actors. These talented actors will bring the characters to life in a way that I am eagerly anticipating. I am a huge fan of Marvel and, like the 'Star Wars' movies, I religiously read two comics while growing up: 'Batman' and 'X-Men'.

What We Know About The MCU's X-Men Reboot So Far

Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 was followed by Kevin Feige's announcement of a mutant-centric project in the MCU. While a release date was quickly set for the Fantastic Four reboot, information on the highly-anticipated X-Men project has been scarce. However, Marvel Studios has introduced mutant characters in Phases 4 and 5, some of whom may join the team. Additionally, Deadpool 3 in Phase 5 will mark the first appearance of Deadpool and Wolverine in the MCU, along with other mutant heroes.

According to a report by Deadline in September 2023, Marvel Studios will soon begin considering pitches for the upcoming X-Men reboot. This marks a significant development since Feige's announcement in 2019 and suggests that the X-Men will be introduced as a complete team rather than individually. Though the reboot does not yet have a release date, there is speculation that Phase 7 of the MCU could focus on "The Mutants Saga" and the development of new X-Men and mutant characters.

Source: SlashFilm/Deadline