News that Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier may be directing the new X-Men film has received a positive response from fans online.
The original X-Men films, which ran from 2000-2020, were originally produced by 20th Century Fox and existed in a separate timeline to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, since Disney’s acquisition of the studios in 2019, characters from those films have been integrated into the shared universe.
A version of Patrick Stewart’s Professor X was featured in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness in 2022; Kelsey Grammer’s Beast was featured in a post-credits scene for The Marvels: while last year’s Deadpool And Wolverine brought a multiverse version of Hugh Jackman’s Logan into the mix. Stewart. It has been confirmed that several actors from the Fox X-Men will also feature in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Despite this involvement, fans have been anxious to see the MCU cast their own version of the mutant super team, and according to a report from Deadline the film may be circling Schreier, who is said to be in talks to get behind the camera for the project.
Thunderbolts* was not a box office success, with the $380million said to be short of $425million it was reported to need to break even. However, it was praised by fans for a more cerebral take on the superhero formula. As such, the news that Schreier may be bringing that kind of depth to the X-Men was greeted with enthusiasm on X (formerly Twitter).
“Awesome we’re gonna get the best X-Men movie ever” enthused one, with another adding: “If Thunderbolts was the appetizer, X-Men is the main course. But fr, excited to see how Schreier shapes the mutant saga — big shoes to fill!”
Awesome we're gonna get the best X-Men movie ever.
— sonci4536 (@AtikChafik) June 19, 2025
If Thunderbolts was the appetizer, X-Men is the main course. But fr, excited to see how Schreier shapes the mutant saga — big shoes to fill!🔥
— mBitcasino (@mBitCasino) June 20, 2025
One user pointed to the idea that the director made a group of supporting characters from other Marvel projects feel empathetic.
“He did so good with making us care about the smaller time characters and their chemistry so I can only imagine what he is capable of with a bigger name like the X-Men,” they wrote, “absolutely the right choice this movie is in good hands”.
fuck yes he did so good with making us care about the smaller time characters and their chemistry so I can only imagine what he is capable of with a bigger name like the X-Men absolutely the right choice this movie is in good hands
— Zelda (@KStraqn) June 19, 2025
One fan argued: “I would’ve liked a POC (Person Of Colour) but after watching almost every interview with him for Thunderbolts I believe he has a level of depression and sadness needed to appropriate handle early X-men stuff. Cyclops may actually be characterised appropriately for once”.
I would’ve liked a POC but after watching almost every interview with him for thunderbolts I believe he has a level of depression and sadness needed to appropriate handle early X-men stuff. Cyclops may actually be characterized appropriately for once. https://t.co/330TMgETK5
— Tim K ⓧ (@Tim_Keown) June 19, 2025
One excited user made a link between this news and the speculation that a fourth untitled MCU movie was added to the 2028 release slate by Disney. “So that Dec 2028 release date is for X-MEN then” they surmised.
So that Dec 2028 release date is for X-MEN then 👀🔥🔥
— Chief Guj 🥷 (@ChiefGuj7) June 19, 2025
The news comes as a relief to fans who were left frustrated by the announcement that Avengers Doomsday and Secret Wars would be delayed.