The Future of the MCU: A New Beginning
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, has been vocal about the upcoming changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). During a press event, he described the term “reboot” as a scary word, emphasizing that the upcoming projects are more accurately described as a “reset.” This reset is set to occur with the release of Avengers: Secret Wars, which Feige sees as a pivotal moment for the franchise. He explained that while Endgame was all about endings, Secret Wars will focus on beginnings.
The decision to recast key characters such as Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and the entire X-Men team comes after the conclusion of Avengers: Secret Wars. This move signals a shift in how Marvel is approaching its storytelling, aiming to create a singular timeline that aligns with the broader narrative of the MCU. Feige emphasized that this is not just about wrapping up existing storylines but also setting the stage for future adventures.
Slowing Down for a Strategic Move
Marvel has deliberately slowed down the pace of its film releases compared to the mid-to-late 2010s, when the studio was releasing three or even four films per year. In 2024, only one film, Deadpool & Wolverine, was released. This year, three films are planned: Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts (which had previously been released), and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to debut next weekend.
Looking ahead, 2026 and 2027 will each feature one film: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, respectively. These films mark a critical juncture for the MCU, as they aim to reorient the franchise and introduce new elements to the story.
X-Men’s Return to the MCU
One of the most anticipated aspects of this reset is the return of the X-Men to the MCU. Feige hinted at this during a recent Fantastic Four roundtable, where he spoke about the potential for a new age of mutants. The X-Men have long been a part of Marvel’s legacy, with multiple films exploring their stories. However, their integration into the MCU has been a slow process, partly due to the need to acquire the rights from 21st Century Fox, which was finally completed in 2019 when Disney acquired Fox.
In 2024, Feige teased the arrival of a new era for the X-Men, and in March, Marvel officially announced that Avengers: Doomsday will be the first full showing of X-Men characters in the MCU. This includes the return of actors like Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Kelsey Grammer as Beast, who appeared in The Marvels. Channing Tatum, known for his role as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, will also join the cast.
A Legacy of Change
The X-Men franchise has seen several cast overhauls in the past. The most notable was in 2011 with X-Men: First Class, which introduced a new generation of actors, including James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. This new cast was later joined by Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in X-Men: Days of Future Past, creating a crossover between the original and prequel timelines.
Subsequent films like X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Dark Phoenix (2019) continued with the McAvoy- and Fassbender-led cast, though these films received mixed reviews compared to the earlier entries. Despite this, the X-Men remain a significant part of Marvel’s universe, with countless stories yet to be told.
Feige acknowledged the rich history of the X-Men, stating that there is so much more to explore within their complex narratives. With the MCU now fully embracing the X-Men, fans can expect a fresh take on these iconic characters, bringing them into a new era of storytelling.
