The speculation has ended with the Ryan Coogler X-Men confirmation, revealing that Jake Schreier, who helmed Thunderbolts, will direct the upcoming X-Men movie for Marvel Studios. This news emerges as fans had hoped Coogler might take on the project, but he clarified Schreier is now officially in charge.
Although major entertainment outlets previously hinted at Schreier’s involvement, neither Marvel nor studio president Kevin Feige have issued a formal announcement. The confirmation from Coogler came during his promotional work for Ironheart. He acknowledged the widespread support for his own potential involvement, but stated directly that Jake is the one taking on the new X-Men film.
Schreier Chosen to Lead X-Men for Marvel
Having Jake Schreier direct the X-Men signals a significant degree of confidence from Kevin Feige, who oversees the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite this show of support, Thunderbolts—Schreier’s most recent project for Marvel—has underperformed significantly at the box office, ranking as the franchise’s second-lowest earner, just above The Marvels. This track record leaves some fans disappointed, questioning Marvel’s strategy and the decision to hand such a high-profile property to Schreier.
Marvel’s Long-Term Plans for the Mutant Franchise
As Marvel continues to map out its interconnected universe, Kevin Feige’s X-Men plans remain a subject of debate and buzz. Feige has already stated that the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars will usher in
a new age of mutants and of the X-Men.
—Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios. He is also rumored to have a ten-year vision for the mutants’ role in the franchise.
While a specific release date for the new X-Men film is still pending, Marvel has staked out four prime weekends in 2028—February 18, May 5, November 10, and December 15—for untitled projects, at least one of which fans believe will be X-Men. Casting remains undecided, fueling speculation online. In addition, industry chatter suggests a creative clash between Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger: Feige is said to favor social commentary in the storylines, while Iger reportedly wants an action-driven spectacle reminiscent of Deadpool & Wolverine, Spider-Man, and The Avengers films.
Returning Cast and Franchise Connections
The return of beloved characters is confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, another future Marvel outing. The film will see Patrick Stewart reprise his role as Xavier, alongside Ian McKellen’s Magneto, Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, and James Marsden’s Cyclops. Alan Cumming returns as Nightcrawler, and Channing Tatum reprises Gambit after his cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. Rumors also swirl about Famke Janssen returning as Jean Grey (Phoenix).
This blending of legacy actors and new creative direction suggests Marvel is attempting both fan service and experimentation. While the Ryan Coogler X-Men confirmation solidifies the direction of the project, the next several years are now pivotal in establishing Schreier’s vision for Marvel’s iconic mutants amid shifting internal strategies and fan expectations.
