Current Status of the X-Men Film Franchise
After X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the X-Men film series entered a indefinite pause under 20th Century Studios. The studio has not greenlit a direct sequel to Dark Phoenix, and the previous timeline that included films like Deadpool and the Wolverine trilogy is now separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox in March 2019, bringing the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool characters under the Marvel Studios umbrella for future integration.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that the X-Men will be rebooted within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The integration timeline remains undefined, but industry analysts expect the first X-Men film to arrive after Phase 5 and Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which currently include films like The Avengers and the Spider-Man series. No cast, director, or release date has been officially announced for the rebooted X-Men movie.
X-Men Projects in Development at Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios is developing multiple X-Men properties for the streaming platform Disney+. The series Legion concluded in 2019, and The Gifted ended in 2019, both set in alternate timelines separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A new X-Men animated series and additional live-action series are reportedly in early development, with Marvel Studios overseeing all projects to align with the Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity.
Marvel Studios has not yet announced a specific X-Men series premiere date on Disney+. The studio is prioritizing films like The Avengers and the Spider-Man franchise before expanding the X-Men characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Industry reports indicate that Marvel Studios is evaluating multiple X-Men scripts, but no project has been officially greenlit with a confirmed release window.
How the X-Men Connect to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe currently includes the Avengers, Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy, with Phase 5 films like The Avengers and The Kang Dynasty expanding the multiverse concept. The X-Men integration is expected to follow a multiverse-based introduction, similar to how Spider-Man entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe via Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios collaboration. The exact narrative bridge between the X-Men and the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains undisclosed by Marvel Studios.
Marvel Studios controls the creative direction for the X-Men reboot, with Kevin Feige serving as producer. The studio has not yet cast the new X-Men team, but industry speculation suggests the first film will introduce a new generation of mutants. The integration of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is expected to reshape the franchise, with future projects potentially crossing over with existing Marvel Cinematic Universe characters like the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy.