x-men: Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier has officially been selected to direct the new X-Men movie

Marvel's next major move is now official: Jake Schreier, who just helmed Thunderbolts*, has been formally set as the director for the next X-Men film. Variety reports Schreier is officially set to direct the project, which represents a big step in Marvel Studios' long-gestating integration of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This will be the first X-Men film produced independently under Marvel Studios since Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019.

The news comes only weeks after Thunderbolts* premiered on May 2, 2025. The project generated early acclaim for the way it managed its diverse cast of characters and relationships—something that helped land Schreier the job, according to reports.

The new X-Men movie will be written by Michael Lesslie and produced by Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige. As of yet, no release date, casting information, or plot details have been released.

Here’s everything we know about what comes next.

From *Thunderbolts** to X-Men: Why Marvel chose Jake Schreier

Jake Schreier's journey to directing X-Men has been months in the works. Marvel Studios had been on the hunt for the ideal director to helm the reboot of one of its most valuable franchises.

World Premiere Of Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*" - Source: Getty

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have reported that Schreier's experience with Thunderbolts* demonstrated that he could keep a large ensemble of complex characters in a grounded, action-focused environment—something that will be key to presenting an original story for the X-Men.

Before his Marvel work, the Thunderbolts* director was more famously associated with directing Robot & Frank (2012) and Paper Towns (2015). He's had experience in television too, such as Beef and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. But it's Thunderbolts* that firmly established him in the Marvel framework, particularly how it walked the balance between character drama and superhero politics.

The announcement indicates Marvel's faith in the Thunderbolts* director to spearhead the mutants' return to the MCU—this time, from scratch.

What we know about the new X-Men movie

The new X-Men movie is still in early development. What’s confirmed so far: the film will be produced by Kevin Feige and written by Michael Lesslie, who previously worked on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Lesslie’s selection also indicates Marvel may be leaning toward a more character-driven and political tone for the X-Men reboot.

There has been no announcement yet of a cast, and Marvel has not yet said which of the characters in the original comics or those in Fox movies will feature in this installment. Nevertheless, speculations have been ongoing online as to the potential roles for new stars Sadie Sink, Harris Dickinson, and Margaret Qualley. None of these were ever affirmed.

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This movie will be the MCU's first actual X-Men project. Although characters such as Professor X (portrayed by Patrick Stewart in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and mutant mentions have been featured in shows like Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, it will be the first time Marvel Studios produces them with a film of their own under its own creative helm.

What the X-Men mean for the future of the MCU

Integrating the X-Men into the MCU has been one of the largest questions looming over Marvel since the Fox buyout. The first X-Men film franchise, which existed from 2000 to 2019, helped set the stage for superhero films today. But since Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants, there's been a complete reboot on what comes next.

Marvel's gradual introduction of content involving mutants seems to have been a calculated move. Easter eggs, cameos, and brief appearances have teased us with the idea that there is a future where mutants coexist with the Avengers. Now, with the X-Men obtaining their own movie, Marvel can flesh out those ties in its entirety.

This is as the studio seeks to revamp its storytelling following the end of the Infinity Saga and the muted reception of some post-Endgame releases. Bringing mutants into the MCU brings new energy, new allegiances, and long-term crossover story possibilities.