Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: X-Men

  • Kevin Feige Provides Updates on the Futures of Several Major Marvel Characters

    Kevin Feige Provides Updates on the Futures of Several Major Marvel Characters

    Marvel Studios had a fairly large presence at Disney’s D23 Expo in Brazil which ran from November 8th through November 10th. While no new projects were announced, footage was shown from upcoming projects from all the studios under the Marvel umbrella. Marvel Studios showcased its 2025 film slate with Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps; Marvel Television shared a look at next March’s Daredevil: Born Again; Marvel Animation unveiled the first trailer for Season 3 of What If…?, which debuts on December 22nd, and gave the fans a look at Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which hits D+ on January 29th, 2025.

    Despite not breaking any news on the stage, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, did have plenty to say to the Brazilian outlet Omelete about the potential futures of several big-time MCU players.

    Blade

    “We are committed to Blade,” said the Feigster. “We love the character. We love Mahershala’s take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You’re all up to date on what’s happening. But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU.”

    Parsing words a bit, it does seem interesting that Feige chose to say that “the character would indeed make it to the MCU” rather than the film. It may ultimately be nitpicking but it is worth noting and tracking as things continue to develop.

    Deadpool and Wolverine

    After finishing up an incredible run in theaters, Deadpool & Wolverine is now available digitally and, as of November 12th, is streaming on Disney Plus where it’s sure to generate another round of hype. According to Feige, fans can probably expect to see more of the odd couple. “The plans with Deadpool and Wolverine will always be the same,” teased Feige. “We’re always wondering where we can fit them in, and how quickly.” With rumors that both characters will have roles in the studio’s 2027 Multiverse Saga finale, Avengers: Secret Wars, it may not be too long before the deadly duo suits up again.

    Scarlet Witch

    Despite apparently sacrificing herself to destroy the Darkhold in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff’s future in the MCU has never really been up for debate. In late 2022, Feige made it clear that the studio had plans for the character and recently those plans have started to take shape with WandaVision and Agatha All Along creator Jac Schaeffer rumored to be developing a solo Scarlet Witch project. Even star Elizabeth Olsen has recently teased a very specific direction in which she’d like to see the character’s story move, leaving little room for doubt that Wanda will indeed be back in the MCU.

    And now, whatever room remained to harbor doubt was wiped out by Feige in Brazil.”We had Agatha All Along on Disney+ just now, and that series was great for us. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about Wanda in fans’ minds,” said Feige. “So all I can say is that we’re excited to find out when and how Scarlet Witch can come back.” New rumors suggest the character will play a large role in Avengers: Doomsday; if those rumors are true, we’ll likely find out soon as the film is expected to go before cameras in early 2025.

    X-Men

    marvel studios x-men

    Fans have been eagerly awaiting Marvel Studios’ take on the X-Men since the live-action rights to the characters were acquired as part of Disney’s 2019 merger with Fox. And while some mutants have been sprinkled into other projects over the past few years, the studio does have much larger plans for the X-Men, including a film being written by Michael Lesslie. While there was some hope it might end up in the Multiverse Saga, Feige put all that talk to bed in Brazil.

    “When we were preparing for Avengers: Endgame years ago, it was a matter of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that,” Feige explained. “This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what’s going to happen. be the story until then and beyond. The X-Men are an important part of that future.” With a script already in the works, it’s very possible that Phase 7 of the MCU (if Phases are even a thing anymore) could lead off with Marvel Studios X-Men.

    Eternals

    eternals 2

    Perhaps in part because of the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios made the choice to develop a film around the Eternals, an obscure group of characters created by Jack Kirby in the 1970s. However, rather than lean into what Kirby intended the characters to be, the studio stripped them of everything their creator built into them that was of interest. The result was a film that was poorly received critically despite having one of the MCU’s most impressive ensemble casts.

    Before it flopped in theaters, there seemed to be big plans for the characters introduced in Eternals. That no longer seems to be the case with Feige already saying “there are no immediate plans for Eternals 2” earlier this year and now indicating that whole the studio remains “very proud of that movie” adding that cast was incredible” while giving no indication that’s something he’s actually attempting to do.“We’d be lucky to get any of them back at some point,” he closed, which would be a strange thing to say if he were planning on using the characters.

    Inhumans

    Originally in development as a film for a 2019 release, Marvel’s Inhumans was pulled from the slate in 2016. From there, the property moved to Marvel TV and ultimately turned into one of the most ridiculously embarrassing projects the company ever produced.

    Though Anson Mount‘s Black Bolt did appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it’s never really seemed as though Feige had large-scale plans for the Inhumans within the confines of the MCU. And if his response to a question about the characters is any indication, he still doesn’t have any. “We’ll see where, if, and when, they return,” replies Feige to an inquiry about their MCU future. At least we’ll always have that great moment where one of Marvel’s most disciplined heroes accidentally killed himself!

    Source: Omlete

  • Marvel Studios Has Reportedly Found Its Wolverine

    Marvel Studios Has Reportedly Found Its Wolverine

    Even though what he does isn’t very nice, Wolverine is, of course, the best there is at what he does. And for two decades, Wolverine was the best there was at carrying Fox’s otherwise unremarkable X-Men franchise on his back with Hugh Jackman carving out an iconic place in film history as Weapon X. Though Jackman thought he’d bowed out of the role following 2017’s Logan, it turned out the actor had one more turn to take, bringing the character into the MCU in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine. It’s safe to say that despite the hard work to get back in shape for the role, it was a win for everyone as the film put Marvel Studios back on top at the box office and Jackman admittedly had a great time working with friends Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy on the film.

    With Deadpool & Wolverine serving as a farewell to the Fox universe and Marvel Studios preparing to move ahead with its own version of the X-Men, rumors have once again begun to fly about who will fill the role of Logan in the MCU. And as word about the roster of the MCU’s team of X-Men hits the web, there is reportedly a leader in the clubhouse to portray Logan…at least in the short term.

    According to MCU insider Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios is hopeful that Jackman will stay on as Wolverine, not only for Avengers: Secret Wars but potentially beyond.

    Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    The ending of Deadpool & Wolverine seemed to make it fairly clear that the heroic duo’s story had another chapter and rumors about Jackman staying on as Logan for Avengers: Secret Wars have been around for some time. The idea that the star, who is now 55 years old, might stay on beyond 2027 might be a tougher pill to swallow, though he’s seemingly found the fountain of youth. From a storytelling standpoint, having an older, grizzled, Multiverse-saving Logan eventually lead a young team of X-Men in a Wolverine and the X-Men film isn’t honestly as far-fetched as it seems…as long as Jackman is willing to get back in the weight room and don the mask once more.

  • Marvel Studios Has Reportedly Settled on The Roster for Its ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    Marvel Studios Has Reportedly Settled on The Roster for Its ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    Before Marvel Studios’ live-action X-Men reboot hits the screen, the uncanny team of mutant heroes will already have some significant positive momentum. After Fox’s two-decade run of films went out with a whimper, X-Men ’97 led off the all-new, all-different Disney era with a bang, reminding audiences just how exceptional the characters can be with solid storytelling as the foundation. The successful streaming series was shortly followed up by Deadpool & Wolverine which not only brought the two leads into the Marvel Studios Multiverse but also resuscitated interest in seeing Channing Tatum as Gambit after the character’s solo film fell victim to the Disney-Fox merger.

    While those projects stood in the spotlight, Marvel Studios continued work on the X-Men project first teased by Kevin Feige at SDCC ’19. With writer Michael Lesslie putting together a script, the studio is closer than ever to putting their own Children of the Atom on screen. Now, a new rumor sheds some light on who will and won’t be on that team.

    According to trusted insider Daniel RPK, the first iteration of the MCU’s X-Men will closely resemble the team seen in X-Men ’97…with one notable exception.
    (L-R): Beast (voiced by George Buza), Roberto Da Costa (voiced by Gui Agustini), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), and Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

    While the report doesn’t expand upon which characters from the animated series fans can expect, it seems likely that the following characters would be all but sure bets, should the plan come to fruition.

    The POVs

    Just over a month ago, RPK shared the news that the MCU X-Men reboot would have two characters who have often been reported to be among Feige’s favorites leading the way. A month later, there’s no reason to believe that anything has changed which means Kitty Pryde and Jubilee should be front and center whenever the film hits the big screen.

    Original X-Men

    When the X-Men first appeared in the pages of Marvel Comics in 1963, Charles Xavier’s team consisted of Scott Sommers, Jean Grey, Hank McCoy, Bobby Drake and Warren Worthington III. Obviously, three of those heroes (Scott, Jean and Hank) were featured in X-Men ’97 and should be expected to lead the MCU’s team of mutant heroes.

    The Cameo Machine

    Kevin Sydney, aka Changeling, aka Morph, doesn’t have the illustrious comic book history that the other X-Men here have; however, as portrayed in X-Men ’97 he offers something no other character can: the potential for limitless cameos which equals the potential for limitless merchandise!

    The Giant-Size Additions

    In 1975, Len Wein and Dave Cockrum gave the X-Men new life with an all-new, all-different crew that featured Storm, Nightcrawler and Wolverine among others. While Storm and Wolverine are X-Men animated series mainstays, RPK’s report indicates that Wolverine isn’t expected to be part of the new team. That leaves Storm and Nightcrawler to do the heavy lifting which both characters are more than capable of doing.

    Dat 90’s Couple, Sugah!

    For old-school X-fans, Scott and Jean are the power couple; however, X-Men: The Animated Series offered up a new possibility that has dominated the pages of the comics ever since. Given Channing Tatum‘s performance in Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s almost impossible to imagine that he won’t be back as Gambit. And while fans could debate all day about which character was done dirtiest in Fox’s X-Men movies, if Rogue isn’t near the top of that list, nobody’s listening anyway. These two deserve their time to shine in live-action and Feige may well give it to them.

  • Rumor Reveals Two Fan Favorite Characters Set to Lead Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    Rumor Reveals Two Fan Favorite Characters Set to Lead Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    After several years with little to no movement, Marvel Studios X-Men reboot began to gather some momentum last Fall when Kevin Feige began meeting with writers to discuss pitches for the project. By April, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes writer Michael Leslie had landed the gig causing fans to wonder if the film might hit theaters far sooner than initially expected.

    While there have been mutants aplenty in the Multiverse Saga, Lesslie’s story is reportedly introducing the studio’s own live-action take on the team of mutants rather than dipping back into Fox’s well. To that end, it would be necessary to make efforts to set the new adaptation apart from what’s come before. One way to ensure fans don’t cross the streams would be to put the focus on characters other than Wolverine and Jean Grey and according to a new rumor from a trusted insider, it sounds as though Lesslie’s script does just that.

    Daniel RPK is reporting that the MCU’s first X-Men film will feature two fan-favorite characters as the leads: Kitty Pryde and Gambit.

    The focus on Pryde lines up with a previous report from the insider that suggested the X-Men reboot would focus on “main characters we all know” and be female-focused. Though Pryde appeared in the Fox films, the studio’s version–like most of the mutants in those films–was a poor interpretation of who the character truly is. It has long been expected that Kitty would be a featured character in Marvel Studios’ new take on the team of mutants heroes and that Feige would elevate her from the “sidekick” status she had in the Fox films.

    Equally unsurprising is the news that Remy LeBeau, one of the company’s most popular mutants for over 30 years, will be a central character. Gambit’s star is shining brightly on the heels of his incredible journey in X-Men ’97 and his appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine where Channing Tatum finally got the chance to show off his take on the Cajun.

    Putting Shadowcat and Gambit at the center of the reboot provides interesting options to not only build out the rest of the team based on key relationships with those two but also sets the stage for expanding the narrative well beyond what Fox accomplished.

  • ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Writer Signs on to Pen Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’

    ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Writer Signs on to Pen Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’

    X-Men ’97 breathed new life into Marvel Studios. Now it’s time to see how they play in live-action. Rumblings have been growing for some time that Kevin Feige and company were closing in on a writer for their upcoming film and now they have found their scribe.

    According to Deadline, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes writer Michael Lesslie has begun negotiating with the studio to write the new adaptation.

    Lesslie was recently named as one of the writers on Marvel’s shortlist along with Rafe Judkins. Now Lesslie, the writer behind the 2016 Assassin’s Creed film, is on the case. Even though this represents continued momentum behind Disney’s work with the X-Men, there’s no release date for the film and there’s no current expectation of it being in theaters before 2027.

    Updating…

    Source: Deadline

  • Two More Names Emerge as Potential Scribes for Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’

    Two More Names Emerge as Potential Scribes for Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’

    Recent rumors have pointed to Marvel Studios bumping their X-Men reboot to the front of the line with an eye on rolling it out as part of the Multiverse Saga. With each passing day, it looks as though there may just be some merit to that as more rumblings surface about the studio’s search for a creative team for the project. It’s not always easy to separate facts from bullshit but it does seem clear that the studio is indeed narrowing down the pool of potential writers for the film. Now, a new report provides a pair of surprising names that might be in the mix as well as a potential timeline.

    According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Rafe Judkins and Michael Lesslie are among the names on Marvel Studios’ shortlist to write the screenplay for their X-Men reboot. Sneider also believes that the studio could settle on a scribe for the project by the end of the month.

    Judkins, who wrote 5 episodes of the ABC melodrama Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Tom Holland-led Uncharted, has most recently served as the showrunner for Amazon’s Wheel of Time adaptation. Lesslie recently wrote the screenplay for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and, in 2016, the screenplay for Assassin’s Creed.

    Sneider has made no claims about the studio favoring one or the other of the two and it’s important to remember that there’s no indication of how many other writers are on the shortlist. Ryan Coogler, whose name was recently floated as a potential director for the X-Men project, would likely also prefer to write the screenplay for the project were he to in fact be hired to helm it. With a project as big as X-Men, you can be sure the trades are doing everything they can to find out as much as possible about it so if Sneider’s report has merit to it and the studio is closing in on a writer, a trade breaking the news would be expected.

  • Marvel Rumored to Have Set Their Sights on a Familiar Face to Direct ‘X-Men’

    Marvel Rumored to Have Set Their Sights on a Familiar Face to Direct ‘X-Men’

    As X-Men ’97 continues to remind fans just how great Marvel’s uncanny mutant heroes and villains can be, rumored details about the studio’s upcoming live-action reboot continue to pop up. With the studio reportedly having narrowed down the list of candidates to write the film, a new rumor about a potential director for the film has emerged and while there’s been no word about Marvel Studios having talks with directors, this particular name coming up does bring some intriguing possibilities to mind.

    According to the internet’s busiest leaker, My Time To Shine Hello, Marvel Studios is looking to MCU veteran director Ryan Coogler to helm their new X-Men movie.

    Despite there having been no previous buzz about Marvel being ready to move forward in their search for a director for the project, the rumor about Coogler does track on multiple levels. If the previous rumor about the studio being close to selecting a writer for the film was accurate, it’s possible that Coogler could serve as both the writer and director for the film. He has filled dual roles on both of his previous MCU entries, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as well as on five other films including his upcoming vampire film that will star his friend and frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordan. Additionally, Coogler has a well-developed relationship with Disney which includes a five-year overall deal to create projects for Disney Plus. The first of those projects, the animated series Eyes of Wakanda, is expected to debut on the streaming service later this year.

    Coogler already has some experience with mutants, having brought Namor into live-action in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Additionally, Coogler has shown a gift for creating and building out expansive worlds within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something that may well be part of Marvel Studios’ plan for their iteration of the X-Men. One oft-rumored direction for the reboot involves it being inspired by Jonathan Hickman’s recent run on X-Men comics which involved a massive retcon of the history of the mutant island known as Krakoa. Should Marvel Studios indeed head in that direction with their X-Men franchise, it would certainly play to one of Coogler’s strengths. For now, it’s nothing but a rumor but it is certainly a solid match.

  • Wild New Rumor Has The Rock Joining the MCU as a Major X-Men Villain

    Wild New Rumor Has The Rock Joining the MCU as a Major X-Men Villain

    Dwayne Johnson‘s first efforts as a superhero certainly didn’t work out as the star hoped. Black Adam was a critical and commercial miss and with an all-new DC Studios emerging as the film was in theaters, there was no future for the character or for Johnson. Now amidst his return to professional wrestling as a full-blown WWE heel, a new rumor has him joining the MCU as one of the X-Men’s deadliest villains.

    According to one of the online community’s most active leakers, My Time To Shine Hello, Marvel Studios is interested in casting Dwayne Johnson as En Sabah Nur, better known as Apocalypse.

    The character–played by Oscar Isaac–was the antagonist of Fox’s 2016 debacle X-Men: Apocalypse and has been one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes over the years in the comics. Writer Jonathan Hickman recently made some significant changes to the character’s history which not only made him more interesting but also provided a path forward in the MCU without retreading too much ground covered in the horrific Fox film.

    Given he’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, there’s a pretty good chance that Marvel Studios would like to work with Johnson at some point, casting the star as Apocalypse seems like a terrible idea at best. Outside of the sheer horror that could come from The Rock revisiting ancient Egypt and reminding audiences of The Scorpion King, there’s also the matter of Johnson’s staunch refusal to play villains. Perhaps his heel turn in the WWE represents some movement on this front but that remains to be seen.

    Who is Apocalypse?

    Marvel Comics’ Apocalypse, also known as En Sabah Nur, stands as one of the most formidable and iconic villains in the X-Men universe. With his ancient origins and insatiable thirst for power, Apocalypse is a force to be reckoned with.

    Born thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, Apocalypse is an immortal mutant with godlike powers and an indomitable will. Possessing advanced technology and genetic manipulation abilities, he is revered as the world’s first mutant, wielding immense strength and intelligence.

    Apocalypse’s primary goal is the survival of the fittest, believing in the principle of mutant superiority through strength. Throughout history, he has sought to cull weaker mutants and shape the world in his image, often unleashing chaos and destruction in his wake. From assembling his Four Horsemen to manipulating global events, Apocalypse stops at nothing to achieve his vision of mutant domination.

    Encounters with the X-Men

    The X-Men, led by stalwart heroes like Cyclops and Wolverine, have repeatedly clashed with Apocalypse in epic battles of will and power. His encounters with the X-Men often result in cataclysmic showdowns, testing the limits of their strength and resolve. Apocalypse sees the X-Men as both worthy adversaries and obstacles to his grand design, making their conflicts legendary in the annals of Marvel Comics.

    Apocalypse’s legacy extends beyond mere villainy, influencing the course of mutantkind and leaving a lasting mark on the Marvel Universe. His actions have shaped the destinies of countless mutants, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. Despite facing defeat on numerous occasions, Apocalypse’s influence looms large, a reminder of the ever-present threat posed by those who seek absolute power.

    In the realm of Marvel Comics, Apocalypse stands as a testament to the enduring allure of villainy and the eternal struggle between good and evil. With his ancient origins, godlike powers, and relentless pursuit of dominance, he remains a dark and ominous figure, casting a long shadow over the world of the X-Men.

  • First Details Emerge about Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Roster

    First Details Emerge about Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Roster

    Marvel Studios began the search for a writer for their X-Men reboot in late 2023 and according to a recent report, the studio is closing in on finding the scribe who will bring the team of mutant heroes into the MCU. As fans wait to find out just who that might be, a new round of rumors might give some insight into who will make up the new team.

    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.

    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 ‘X-Men’ Reboot Gets an Extremely Encouraging Update

    Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’ Reboot Gets an Extremely Encouraging Update

    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.”

    Marvel Studios began the search for a writer for the project late in 2023 as rumors popped up that the studio was looking to expedite the arrival of the uncanny group of heroes. Should a writer be in place by soon, it is possible the film could be ready for theaters by summer 2026.