According to insider Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios’ team will be female-focused and though it will introduce some characters who have not yet appeared in live-action, the plan is to include “main characters we all know.”
While RPK’s report doesn’t come with any specifics about who those characters might be, connecting the dots to some previously shared reports and sprinkling in a little guess work might provide some idea of characters who should at least be in the mix.
Storm
Outside of Cyclops, no X-Man was done dirtier than Storm was by Fox. Ororo has long been one of the team’s most beloved and best curated characters and deserves a proper live-action treatment.
Kitty Pryde
If your only exposure to Kitty comes from the Fox live-action films, you truly have no idea how great of a character she is. In the comics, Kitty has grown into one of the X- men’s greatest leaders. A no-brainer no matter what the focus is.
Rogue
Another victim of Fox’s Wolverine obsession, Rogue’s prominence in X-Men ’97 only makes it more likely she ends up on the team. As was the case when X-Men: The Animated Series ran in the ’90s, Rogue is one of the most popular characters and her portrayal is nearly perfect. It’s an easy move for the studio that should provide big results.
Jubilee
Like Pryde, Jubilee is a character that I once heard Kevin Feige thought highly of. Like Rogue, Jubilee is a prominent part of X-Men ’97. Like everyone else on this list, she was all but ignored by Fox.
Dazzler
As shared by Erik Davis, Dazzler is a favorite of Feige’s. Is there a need for two characters with light-based powers on the team? I don’t know but Feige likes them both and there are plenty of X-Men movies to make over the next 10-20 years.
Many years ago I asked Kevin Feige if he were to ever direct his own Marvel movie, which character would he want to focus on. He said Dazzler. He’s a big fan. https://t.co/VZj7S2JL1h
Of course, were not even scratching the surface here. Marvel Studios may still wish to include Jean Grey, Betsy Braddock, Emma Frost, Polaris or even Mystique. Then there’s the matter of what other “main characters” they chose to include. While one can only hope they finally do Cyclops justice, we’ll believe when we see it.
Marvel Studios spent quite a bit of 2023 working behind the scenes to find a way to right the ship. After rarely if ever missing during in the back end of the Infinity Saga, the front end of the Infinity Saga was incredibly uneven at best. The results of that time spent are, so far, encouraging and with more than a few upcoming projects already drumming up positive buzz (Deadpool & Wolverine, Agatha and Daredevil: Born Again among them), there’s hope that the 3-4 years will be a return to glory.
Bob Iger’s return to Disney came with a mandate that large studios, like Marvel, dial back on the number of projects in development and focus more on pumping out sure things. To that end, Iger also indicated that studios would be revisiting franchises and characters that fans know and love. In Marvel’s case, many of those familiar characters seemed to have had their last dance in Avengers: Endgame but as word comes down that the studio is prepping for production on Avengers 5, one of the original Avengers has reportedly officially agreed to return for Avengers 6.
According to scooper @MyTimeToShineH, Chris Evans will return in Avengers: Secret Wars.
“I’ll never say never, just because it was such a wonderful experience. But I’m also very precious with it. It’s something that I am very proud of. And like I said, sometimes I can’t believe it even happened. And I wouldn’t want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab or if it didn’t live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasn’t connected to that original thing. So, no time soon. And ultimately I really hope to just maybe act a little bit less in my life. I have a lot of other interests.”
Chris Evans on returning to the role of Captain America
If Evans did have some projects in mind back in 2021, the impact of COVID delays plus the strikes of 2023 could have pushed those projects back several years. If so, Evans could have been telling the whole truth in the recent interview while still knowing he had something coming up down the road. Should Evans indeed return for another MCU adventure or two, it would likely be 7 or 8 years post-Endgame. Steve Rogers would certainly be a welcome sight.
Like every Marvel Studios project, Deadpool & Wolverine has been the subject of some wild rumors. Given that the project will weave Ryan Reynold‘s Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman‘s Logan into the MCU and the trailers have already revealed the presence of quite a few other characters from the Fox X-Men films, many of the rumors have been centered around cameos of some major characters from those films. With the Time Variance Authority being used to connect those universes does make pretty much anything possible which means an Ultimate List of What to Watch before Deadpool & Wolverine could be pretty extensive. However, according to director Sean Levy, that’s not the case.
“Audiences are hungry for a great time at the movies,” Levy told the AP. “They want to be delighted, transported and entertained. And when they are given that, whether it’s ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ or any number of other recent movies, they show up.The movie is built for audience delight. I think that (they’re) in for a very fun ride.” And according to Levy, that kind of fun means not having to do homework in order to keep up with what’s happening on screen.
“I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies,” said Levy. “I very much made this film with certainly a healthy respect and gratitude towards the rabid fan base that has peak fluency in the mythology and lore of these characters and this world. But I didn’t want to presume that. This movie is built for entertainment, with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.” While being a Marvel Studios know-it-all certainly can’t hurt, it won’t be necessary to enjoy the film. That’s good news for a studio that is often flamed for stories that are too interdependent and is looking for Deadpool & Wolverine to be a big hit as they try to return to their previous level of success both at the box office and with fans.
Deadpool & Wolverine hits U.S. theaters on July 26th.
The house always wins. And right now, the house has Iron Man and Avengers star Robert Downey Jr. as the odds on favorite among a trio of the original Avengers to return to the MCU. As Marvel Studios continues to try to right the ship in the middle of its Multiverse Saga, money is starting to roll in on them turning to the Downey Jr. to save the day.
According to Best Payout Online Slots, Downey Jr. is outpacing Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson with 6/4 odds that he will return to the MCU as Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr playing Iron Man @ 6/4 (40%)
Scarlett Johansson playing Black Widow @ 5/2 (28.6%)
Chris Evans playing Captain America @ 5/1 (16.7%)
According to the site–which is not known for breaking Marvel Studios’ news–“sources close to Downey say the actor is in the middle of positive negotiations with Marvel over an Iron Man 4 film.” Whether or not Iron Man 4 is in the cards for Marvel and Downey, a return as Stark does make sense given the MCU’s current overarching plot involves time travel and alternate universes. If and when Downey does return, it’ll be imperative to the actor and the studio to not undo Tony Stark’s heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. Thankfully, there are plenty of work around for that.
Once upon a time, the Marvel Studios’ film formerly known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty would have been either in production now or starting soon. Without detailing the litany of issues that have preceded it, it’s enough to say that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will likely never commence production because some portion of those issues have led Marvel Studios to rethink what the fifth Avengers film will be. A trifecta of changes left Marvel Studios without a writer, director and key actor for the film. Michael Waldron took over writing duties on the film last year and according to one insider, the scribe has cracked the story for Avengers 5. With the studio preparing for a 2025 start of production, a new rumor suggests they’ve begun reaching out to talent…but who’s being left out?
According to reliable MCU insider Daniel RPK, while the studio has contacted multiple actors who will reprise their roles as Avengers in Avengers 5, the newly announced cast of The Fantastic Four is not expected to suit up again for the film.
On Valentine’s Day, Marvel Studios made a splash by revealing that Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach had been cast as Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, respectively. While each actor had been previously rumored to be associated with those roles, they were hardly alone in that regard, making it tough for fans to know what was real and what was just another scoop of rumor mill bullshit. Their exclusion from Avengers 5 would seem to indicate that the film will almost certainly be Earth-616-centric, making Avengers: Secret Wars the studio’s big crossover epic.
As for the Avengers who might assemble in Avengers 5, there are certainly some bets safer than others. Anthony Mackie‘s Sam Wilson, Chris Hemsworth‘s Thor, Mark Ruffalo‘s Hulk and Brie Larson‘s Carol Danvers are likely to be joined by Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man as the core team with another major assist by Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange. According to RPK, other newcomers–which may include Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight–may not make the cut either. Given Bob Iger‘s recent comments about focusing on franchises and franchise characters, there may be some veracity to the idea that the newbies won’t lead what is most definitely a very important film for Disney.
X-Men ’97 is the best thing going for Marvel Studios at the moment. After some dismal projects and a few that lacked consistency, Marvel Animation’s revival series has been a weekly reminder of just how great Marvel’s mutant heroes can be. Now, on the heels of the success of X-Men ’97, word that the studio is making some serious headway with their live-action reboot has emerged.
According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Marvel Studios search for a writer for The Mutants/X-Men film is winding down. Sneider reported that the studio is “pretty close” to nailing down the scribe for the project and that they could finalize a deal in the “next few weeks.”
Following the creative retooling of Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios made the decision to retroactively canonize the events of Netflix’s Defenders-verse series. That move led to Daredevil stars Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel and Ayelet Zurer all being brought back to reprise their respective roles after previously having been recast or left out entirely. With the studio showing a willingness to add several projects to their carefully curated Sacred Timeline, fans of another popular TV series, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., believed the network melodrama would be adopted as canon as well; however, that’s still not the case and one of the series’ stars thinks she knows why.
During an interview with Katee Sackhoff, AoS star Ming-Na Wen said the show’s status as a network project is the underlying reason it isn’t part of the Sacred Timeline.
Wen’s explanation came after Sackhoff asked the actress if she’d been approached by Marvel Studios to reprise her role as Melinda May, also known as The Cavalry. “No, they have not…it’s weird,” explained Wen. “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. sort of became a separate entity for whatever reason,” she continued, “because it was on the network as opposed to streaming. I think there’s some – and this is where my obliviousness also helps because I don’t understand it, so you’re asking the wrong person, I just know that there’s some sort of division.“
Like the Defenders-verse series that streamed on Netflix, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was developed and produced by the now defunct Marvel Television, a branch of Marvel Entertainment Following a 2015 rift between Ike Perlmutter and Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios essentially became its own entiy with no ties to Marvel Entertainment or Perlmutter. This is almost certainly the “division” to which Wen is referring, though it’s interesting that she believes S.H.I.E.L.D.S’s status as a network show may play a further role in that division.
The reality is that with Marvel Studios deep into their Multiverse Saga, everything is canon to the Multiverse. So while shows like Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are all firmly set on the Sacred Timeline, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and X-Men ’97 are still part of the Marvel Multiverse.If Deadpool & Wolverine can find a way to incorporate Channing Tatum‘s Gambit into the Multiverse, surely there’s room for Fitzsimonns as well.
In some ways, the hype that continues to grow around the rumored appearances of an ever-increasing number of Marvel heroes in Deadpool & Wolverine feels awfully familiar. Prior to both Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, fans were inundated with rumors about Charlie Cox, Andrew Garfield and Tom Cruise popping in to cameo. Obviously some of these rumors held true whereas others were simply bullshit. With Deadpool & Wolverine just a few months away, there’s been no slowing the rumor mill down and now a new rumor about a very popular character has made its way into the wild.
Potential spoilers ahead…
According to known social media leaker MTTSH, Channing Tatum‘s Gambit, who has been rumored to appear in the film for some time now, will have a very interesting role in Deadpool & Wolverine.
MTTSH claims that Gambit, along with X-23 and Elektra will be part of a group of heroes who fight back against Emma Corrin‘s big bad, Cassandra Nova. In the film, Nova looks to be the boss of the TVA’s wasteland known as the Void. As seen in the latest trailer, Nova has quite a collection of miscreants at her disposal including Lady Deathstrike, Azazel and more.
If this claim is true, it’s a solid way to incorporate Tatum’s Gambit along with many of the other Fox-verse heroes who hsbe been rumored to be appearing. Given the number of villains on Nova’s goon squad, even Wade and Logan could use some help.
A common theme with many of Marvel Studios’ streaming series has been a concern that they would need to “stick the landing” in order to ultimately be considered successful. At this point, it seems as though X-Men ‘97 could not only wobble a little bit on the landing but perhaps miss the mat entirely. With 7 strong episodes now under its belt, Marvel Animation’s revival series has been a weekly topic of conversation. The latest episode, Bright Eyes, not only gave Rogue center stage to express her rightful rage but also finally revealed the big bad behind the mutant massacre on Genosha…and it’s exactly who we thought it was…the second time around at least.
Bright Eyes revealed that as far as X-Men ‘97 goes, there’s an even bigger fish than Mister Sinister. As speculated here (and hinted at heavily over the course of the series), the cyborg known as Bastion was indeed behind the Wild Sentinel’s attack on Genosha and it looks like he’s just getting started.
Who is Bastion?
Bastion, a formidable antagonist within the Marvel Comics universe, embodies the relentless pursuit of mutant extinction. As a Sentinel mastermind, Bastion represents the pinnacle of anti-mutant technology, leading the charge in hunting down and eliminating mutant-kind. His origins trace back to the depths of Nimrod and the Sentinel program, where he emerged as a genocidal force determined to eradicate all mutants. With Trask Industries backing his efforts, Bastion wages a relentless campaign against mutants, employing advanced AI technology and ruthless tactics to achieve his goal of mutant eradication.
Bastion’s attributes are as ruthless as they are deadly, with a fanatical devotion to his cause and an indomitable will to succeed. As the leader of Humanity’s Last Stand, he commands an army of Sentinels and Purifiers, relentless in their mission to exterminate mutants. His actions provoke confrontation and opposition from the X-Men and other mutant groups, who view him as a persistent threat to their existence.
In the ongoing struggle between mutants and their adversaries, Bastion remains a formidable adversary, challenging the X-Men and testing the limits of their resilience. His genocidal agenda and advanced technological capabilities make him a persistent menace, driving the X-Men to confront him time and time again in a battle for survival.
Who is Voicing Bastion?
As theorized in a recent Connecting Imaginary Dots piece, Bastion was voiced by Theo James. James has made quite a name for himself as a voice actor and has had a solid career renaissance of late by taking on villainous and somewhat shady roles. James knocked it out of the park in his debut as Bastion, especially in the way he comfortably and easily knocked Mister Sinister down a peg.
With three episodes left to go that seem to all be inspired by Bastion’s first major comic book arc, Operation: Zero Tolerance, the good news is that James is just getting started as Bastion and we’re likely to be treated to a delicious performance that will give fans a new face to hate.
The first seven episodes of Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 are now streaming on Disney Plus.
The latest look at Deadpool & Wolverine gave fans a lot to chew on with plenty of cameos and Easter eggs. One of the most prominent, of course, was the head of some Multiversal Variant Giant-Man which seems to serve as the base for Cassandra Nova’s Void wasteland warriors. It’s a visually stunning set piece and, as many have already pointed out, reminiscent of a concept used in Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s Old Man Logan limited series. While it could be the case that it’s just a really great Easter egg inspired by a beloved comic series, it could be possible that there’s more to it than that. Could Deadpool & Wolverine have taken a little more inspiration from Old Man Logan than just a dead Giant-Man?
What Is Old Man Logan All About?
In the dystopian future of the Marvel Universe, the aged Wolverine, also known as Old Man Logan, emerges as a weathered and battle-hardened hero. This seasoned mutant, once known as Logan, has endured unimaginable hardships, bearing the scars of countless battles and the weight of a tragic past. In this alternate reality, the X-Men have fallen, and Logan wanders a world overrun by villains, haunted by memories of his past failures.
Old Man Logan’s journey is one of survival and redemption. Despite the world-weary burden he carries, he confronts the challenges of this desolate landscape with a resilience born from years of experience. From facing off against the remnants of his former allies to battling ruthless adversaries like the Hulk and the Red Skull, Logan fights not just for his own survival but for a chance to reclaim his sense of purpose.
Accompanied by an unlikely ally, Hawkeye, Old Man Logan embarks on a perilous adventure across this ravaged landscape. Together, they traverse the dangerous territories of this broken world, encountering both friend and foe along the way. Through their encounters with entities like Emma Frost, Maestro, and the enigmatic Mysterio, they uncover the grim realities of a society teetering on the brink of collapse.
In this alternate future universe depicted in the comics, supervillains have taken control of the United States, dividing the country among themselves after a coordinated attack led by a group of villains, including Mysterio.
Mysterio’s role in “Old Man Logan” is particularly dark and impactful. He uses his skills as a master illusionist and manipulator to trick Wolverine, the story’s protagonist, into believing that the X-Men and other superheroes are attacking the X-Mansion. In his manipulated state, Wolverine unleashes his claws and goes on a brutal rampage, only to realize too late that he has actually slaughtered his fellow mutants, including his X-Men teammates. This traumatic event leads Wolverine to swear off violence and retreat into a reclusive life as a farmer. Though Mysterio himself meets a grim fate at the hands of Wolverine later in the story, his actions leave a lasting impact on both the character of Wolverine and the world he inhabits.
Despite his advanced age, Old Man Logan proves that age is no barrier to heroism. His grizzled determination and seasoned skills make him a formidable force against the forces of evil that seek to dominate this apocalyptic world. With each battle he fights and every obstacle he overcomes, Logan reaffirms his status as a legendary figure in the Marvel Universe.
The tale of Old Man Logan is not just one of action and adventure, but also of introspection and redemption. Through his struggles and triumphs, Logan grapples with his own inner demons, seeking to find peace amidst the chaos of a shattered world. His journey serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the X-Men and the timeless legacy of one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, Wolverine.
How Could Deadpool & Wolverine Adapt Old Man Logan?
2018’s Logan was, ostensibly, inspired by Old Man Logan; however, it certainly was not a direct adaptation. Other than involving a Logan who was an old man and the majority of the X-Men being dead, the world inhabited by Logan, Charles and Laura was vastly different than the one in Millar and McNiven’s work. Perhaps the biggest change was that their world wasn’t a wasteland controlled by supervillains. But it looks like that’s exactly what’s happening in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The new trailer makes it clear that while Alioth is still a fearsome force in the Void, Cassandra Nova and her collection of villainous Variants are in charge whenever Alioth isn’t out and about. Whatever Wade and Logan hope to accomplish in the film, it looks like they’ll have to go through Emma Corrin’s Nova to make it happen but it also looks like it’ll first take a little convincing to get Logan on board. That idea also parallels the events of Old Man Logan in which Logan had promised never to pop his claws again, a promise he kept for 50 years.
Of course, the biggest similarity between Old Man Logan‘s Logan and the Logan Variant seen in Deadpool & Wolverine is that they have both been destroyed and are haunted by some trauma experienced in their home worlds. In Old Man Logan, Wolverine murdered his X-Men teammates; in Deadpool & Wolverine, Wolverine “let his entire world down,” according to Matthew Macfadyen‘s TVA Agent Paradox. While fans shouldn’t expect to see Logan slaughtering his teammates in Deadpool & Wolverine, the trauma he experienced on his Earth (which as I understand it is not the one from the Logan timeline nor the one from which Corrin‘s Cassandra Nova was pruned) has certainly taken the piss out of Weapon X.
It also seems clear that, at least in part, Deadpool & Wolverine‘s creative team took some inspiration from Steve McNiven‘s glorious artwork in Old Man Logan in fleshing out the Void. And why not? The Void can contain just about anything anyone can imagine, including not just the head of a Giant-Man but the entire body: indeed the Void seems to have its very own Pym Falls, whether it’s called that in the film or not. Who knows what other wonders await in the Wasteland…er Void.
And, of course, at its core, Old Man Logan is a buddy movie where Logan and an old, beat up and blind Clint Barton set out across the Wasteland on a dangerous journey and encounter all sorts of danger and chaos along the way while finding out they’re still the heroes they’d always been. That seems to be, at least in part, a core theme of Deadpool & Wolverine, though it might end up drowned in blood and dick jokes.
With only two trailers–neither of which was particularly revealing–to go on, it’s impossible to say just how much of Old Man Logan was adapted into Deadpool & Wolverine; however, it certainly seems like we’ve seen enough to conclude that Millar and McNiven’s masterpiece made an impact on the writers, directors and production designers of the film.
Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters in the U.S. on July 26th.
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