The MCU's X-Men: What's the Holdup?

The Absence of X-Men in What If...?

Marvel's What If...? creators Bryan Andrews and A.C. Bradley revealed why the X-Men were not included in the animated series. According to Andrews, Marvel wants to first introduce live-action versions of the X-Men to the MCU before What If...? can explore the characters. This decision was made due to the timeline of the MCU, which also affected the absence of Sam Wilson's Captain America in the series.

Deadpool and Wolverine in comic-accurate costumes in 2024's Deadpool 3

Bradley added that the X-Men were 'pretty much off the table' for the animated series. Marvel's priority is to introduce the mutants in live-action before they can be part of the What If...? scenarios. The creators expressed their enthusiasm for playing with the X-Men characters but acknowledged the limitations imposed by Marvel's plans.

When The MCU’s X-Men Could Debut

The X-Men are already making their presence known in the MCU through various appearances and upcoming films. Kelsey Grammar appeared as Beast in The Marvels, and Patrick Stewart played a variant of Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Deadpool 3, set to release this year, will mark the mutants' official entry into the MCU, bringing Deadpool, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Colossus, and other rumored X-Men characters.

Marvel's plans indicate that the arrival of the MCU's version of X-Men will take some time. The Multiverse Saga, set to conclude with 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars, may provide closure to the Fox's X-Men characters, paving the way for the MCU's mutants. It is speculated that the MCU's X-Men may debut in 2028, following the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. However, there remains a possibility of cameo appearances in Avengers: Secret Wars to tease the future of the mutants in the MCU.

The Future of X-Men in Marvel's What If...?

Marvel's What If...? could potentially explore multiverse scenarios involving the X-Men characters once they are officially introduced in the MCU. If the series continues to release new seasons until the debut of the MCU's mutants, it could offer exciting scenarios and interactions for the X-Men. The end of Avengers: Secret Wars may provide a hint at the future theme of the MCU, rumored to be centered around the mutants, setting the stage for the X-Men's arrival.