"Thunderbolts* Director Jake Schreier Eyed for New X-Men Movie"

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand further with the inclusion of the X-Men into its multi-phase narrative, and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is reportedly in early discussions to direct this eagerly anticipated project. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the forefront of Marvel Studios' list to helm the new X-Men movie, although the specifics of these negotiations are still under wraps.

The X-Men film, which is in the early stages of development, boasts a script penned by Michael Lesslie, the writer behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's own Kevin Feige is attached as a producer, ensuring the film's alignment with the broader MCU. Details such as the cast, release date, and the film's integration with the existing MCU remain closely guarded secrets.

Since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been steadily building excitement for the X-Men's debut. Through intricate multiverse storylines featured in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has been dropping subtle hints about potential crossovers between iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X, and the current roster of Avengers. While fans eagerly await The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, the renowned Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has yet to make its presence known within the MCU.

The X-Men's inclusion in the MCU will officially commence with Avengers: Doomsday. Last month's cast reveal for the film confirmed the involvement of veteran X-Men actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X, previously appeared in the MCU's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen, who played Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), are yet to make their MCU debuts. This raises the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday could be setting the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men narrative.

Marvel has been actively working on bringing the X-Men into the MCU. Kevin Feige hinted last year that fans could expect the X-Men to appear within "the next few movies." Additionally, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool, has been pushing for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. Although no official X-Men movie has been slated yet, given the pace at which the MCU is evolving, fans won't have to wait long to see their beloved characters join the fray.

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Schreier, who recently launched Thunderbolts* into theaters, has seen his latest project achieve a strong start with a global box office total of $173,009,775 (via Box Office Mojo). The film, featuring an ensemble of anti-heroes, has garnered critical acclaim, boasting an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7/10 rating from our review.

As we await further developments on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans are buzzing over a potential Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, a detail that was leaked by Alan Cumming himself.