The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to expand with the much-anticipated inclusion of the X-Men into its multi-phase storyline, with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier reportedly in early discussions to helm the project. According to Deadline, Schreier is at the forefront of Marvel Studios' list to direct this new X-Men film, though the specifics of the negotiations remain undisclosed.

The upcoming X-Men movie, still in its early stages, will feature a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Marvel's Kevin Feige is set to produce, though other crucial details such as the cast, release date, and its integration with the broader MCU are yet to be revealed.

Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been subtly building anticipation for the X-Men's integration. Through multiverse narratives in films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has teased potential crossovers with iconic X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Beast, and Professor X. While fans will soon see the MCU's version of The Fantastic Four in The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the X-Men have yet to make their official debut.

However, the X-Men's presence will be significant in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The recent cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday confirmed the involvement of veteran X-Men actors like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, debuted in the MCU via The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films and briefly appeared in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen, known for his role as Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), are yet to make their MCU debut. This raises the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday could be a covert Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

Marvel has been eager to introduce the X-Men to the MCU. Kevin Feige hinted last year that fans could expect to see the X-Men in "the next few movies." Meanwhile, THR reported that Ryan Reynolds has been advocating for a Deadpool-meets-X-Men film. Although no official X-Men movie has been slated yet, the rapid pace of the MCU suggests that fans won't have to wait long to see these beloved characters in action.

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Jake Schreier, fresh from the success of Thunderbolts*, which grossed $173,009,775 globally and earned an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes (with a 7/10 rating from our review), is now in talks to bring his directorial talents to the X-Men universe.

As we await further updates on Marvel's negotiations with Schreier, fans can enjoy online discussions about potential matchups, such as a Nightcrawler/Mister Fantastic showdown in Avengers: Doomsday, hinted at by Alan Cumming himself.