I’m very excited about the prospect of 20th Century Fox’sX-Menteam returning in theMCU, as it means an iconic Summers family moment could finally be depicted in live-action after 24 years. Marvel Studios folded Fox’sX-Menfranchise and the heroes it contains into the MCU’s main continuity in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine, dubbing thisalternate reality Earth-10005. I loved that this canonized many of my favorite mutant heroes, while also creating the opportunity for some of them to be revisited in the MCU’s future.
While some of theactors from Fox’sX-Menfranchisehave already reprised their roles in the MCU, I’m still waiting for the likes of James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Josh Brolin and Ian McKellen to return to their legendary roles.Three of these names, in particular, fill me with hope that one of the most shocking moments from Marvel Comics' history could finally be seen in live-action. I’ve been waiting 24 years for this moment to be depicted in live-action, andFox’s X-Men team returning in the MCUis the best chance.
Fox’s X-Men Have Been Rumored To Return In The MCU’s Phase 6
Many X-Men Characters From Fox’s Marvel Franchise Have Already Returned In The MCU
While a number of Fox’sX-Mencharacters have already made their mark on the MCU, we’re still waiting for more to follow. EvenDeadpool & Wolverine, some of which took place on Earth-10005, didn’t feature many returning characters from Fox’s former franchise, with only Deadpool’s close circle of friends and found family being featured. Luckily,many actors from Fox’sX-Menfranchise have been rumored to be returning before the end of the Multiverse Saga, with the most popular theories bringing them back inAvengers: DoomsdayorAvengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Warsis theorized to mark the multiverse’s destruction, which may combine the characters from the various, separated Marvel franchises into one expansive storyline, perhaps adapting Battleworld from Marvel Comics’Secret Warsevents.
I’d love to see all of Fox’sX-Mencast return, but my biggest wish is for theclassic X-Men team from 2000’s original movieto reunite on-screen. This team of only four mutants comprised Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Halle Berry’s Storm, Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey and James Marsden’s Cyclops, and marked a formidable debut for the mutant superhero team.If this version of the X-Men team reunites in the MCU’s Phase 6, I would love to see one iconic moment from Marvel Comics brought to the screen, which would also mean the return of Josh Brolin’s Cable fromDeadpool 2.
I Want Jean Grey & Cyclops To Meet Cable In Avengers: Secret Wars
Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey & James Marsden’s Cyclops Never Met Cable In Live-Action
A lot of focus was given to the relationship of Scott Summers and Jean Grey in Fox’sX-Menfranchise, though I found it interesting that their story actually never really developed.They were perennially stuck in a controversial love triangle with Wolverine, which left them completely stunted, meaning some of their best romance moments from Marvel Comics were never shown on-screen. This included them meetingCable, Scott Summers’ and Madelyne Pryor’s son, who was born during Jean Grey’s absence.
Marvel Just Rewrote An Incredibly Powerful X-Men’s Origin 34 Years After His Debut
Marvel Studios' X-Men ‘97 introduced a new and incredibly powerful mutant, but showed a side of his origin story that audiences haven’t seen before.
This storyline was recently detailed in 2024’s animatedX-Men ‘97series, proving just how brilliant it would be to see it in live-action. The family dynamic betweenCyclops, Cable and Jean Greywas fantastic to see inX-Men ‘97, and could have been even more emotional and impactful in live-action.If Famke Janssen, James Marsden and Josh Brolin reprise theirX-Menfranchise roles in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, this incredible Summers family moment can finally be seen in live-action, which would make me incredibly happy.
Jean Grey, Cyclops & Cable Have Never Met In Live-Action, But The Story Has Been Set Up Twice
Marvel Comics’ Dark Phoenix Saga Led Directly To Cable’s Birth
It doesn’t make sense to me that Cable’s relationship and connection withScott Summers and Jean Greyhas never been depicted in live-action, particularly since the very beginning of this storyline has been adapted twice on-screen. In Marvel Comics, theDark Phoenix Sagafrom 1980 set the wheels in motion for Cable’s eventual debut.TheDark Phoenix Sagaended with Jean Grey’s demise, which created the opportunity for her to be replaced by Madelyne Pryor, her clone and Cable’s mother.
I imagine I’m also prepared to wait for the upcoming MCU X-Men team to explore this storyline instead.
Marvel Comics’Dark Phoenix Sagaformed the inspiration for2006’sX-Men: The Last Standand 2019’sDark Phoenix, both of which I, and many others, consider to be weak points in Fox’sX-Menfranchise.NeitherThe Last StandnorDark Phoenixreceived direct sequels, so Cable, despite appearing inDeadpool 2, never got the chance to meet his parents in live-action. I am desperate for Marvel Studios to change this by bringing back these actors for one last adventure, though I imagine I’m also prepared to wait for the upcoming MCUX-Menteam to explore this storyline instead.
Marvel’s X-Men
Marvel’s X-Men is the tentative title for the future debut of the legendary Marvel mutant superhero team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
