After Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019, the X-Men began to slowly integrate into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Notable appearances by characters like Patrick Stewart in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and the dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine have been solidifying their presence in the Marvel canon. However, according to a new report from Variety, it is expected that the new version of the X-Men that Marvel plans to introduce will be completely different and focused on younger faces.
My X-Men!
Marvel’s approach will align with the spirit of the comics, which often focus on stories of young people who feel different and out of place. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, recently highlighted how Xavier’s School is a recurring setting that reflects these realities. “That is the universal story of mutants, and that’s where we’re headed”, Feige stated, suggesting that the focus on young characters will be key in the new phase of the MCU.
Additionally, in order to reduce costs, Marvel is opting for lesser-known talents instead of big-name stars, as its own brand has become the main draw for audiences. With a recent trend towards younger characters, such as Kamala Khan and Yelena Belova, it is clear that the possibility of a Young Avengers team is on the horizon.
It is uncertain how these new characters will integrate with the already established actors of the X-Men, given that the heroes from the Fox universe could appear as multiversal visitors in Vengadores: Doomsday. If this information turns out to be true, the new X-Men will be present in the MCU narrative for a considerable amount of time.