Jake Schreier, following his successful direction of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, is reportedly in discussions to helm the highly anticipated reboot of the X-Men franchise. Sources indicate that Schreier, whose recent film received some of the best reviews for Marvel in recent years, is involved in early negotiations for the project. The screenplay is being crafted by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, while Kevin Feige continues in his role as producer.
Marvel Studios has actively been searching for a director for the X-Men reboot in recent weeks, with the conversation gaining momentum this week. This initiative marks a significant step toward revitalizing the X-Men franchise on the big screen. Originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the early 1960s, the X-Men have remained one of the most beloved Marvel comic titles and enjoyed widespread popularity through a successful animated series in the 1990s. The Bryan Singer-directed film from 2000 played a crucial role in launching the modern era of comic book adaptations, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.
After X-Men’s successful stint with 20th Century Fox, which culminated in a series of box office hits, the franchise struggled to find its footing following 2019’s Dark Phoenix and the underwhelming release of spin-off The New Mutants during the pandemic. With Disney’s acquisition of Fox, fans have eagerly awaited the return of the X-Men on the silver screen.
Marvel has been strategically developing this project, subtly introducing elements of the original cast in various films, including Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the anticipated return of multiple original actors in Avengers: Doomsday—set to shoot this summer with a release scheduled for next year.
The decision to consider Schreier for the X-Men project reinforces Marvel’s preference for filmmakers with whom they share a successful dynamic, similar to their collaborations with directors like Jon Watts and the Russo brothers. Following its release, Thunderbolts opened to a solid $74.3 million, receiving strong audience ratings and positive critical reviews, giving Marvel a needed boost after a period of less favorable reception.
This development marks an exciting time for Marvel fans as they look forward to the potential revival of a cornerstone franchise that has a rich legacy in comics and film history.