Who Will Be the Primary X-Men Characters in the MCU?
Ever since Kevin Feige and Co. gained the rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four following the Fox/Disney merger, rumors surrounding mutantkind have been surfacing across all corners of the internet? How will the X-Men join the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Which characters will Marvel Studios highlight? How will the movies live up to former Fox iterations without coming off as derivative or uninspired?
The MCU X-Men movies will have to strike the proper balance between familiarity and originality. Meaning, familiar faces should appear, yet, the same figures who spearheaded the Fox saga may take a bit of a backseat (or undergo a different journey). Based on insider information surrounding the X-Men in the MCU, 5 X-Men seem most likely to kickstart the mutant narrative, taking on major roles in the future of the franchise.
1. Storm via ‘Black Panther 2’
According to Marvel and DC insider Mikey Sutton, Ororo Munroe, famously known as Storm, may appear in Black Panther 2. Reports indicate that the studio is eyeing Janelle Monáe for the role. In the comics, Storm and Black Panther boast quite the whirlwind romance, resulting in powerful children. Storm and Black Panther could work to unite the X-Men and the Avengers in later mash-ups.
Not to mention, if the MCU plans on starting its X-Men story at a later origin point than Fox did, Storm could be the headmaster of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters — a responsibility she takes on in the source material but was not awarded in the films.
2 and 3. Rogue and Mystique via ‘Captain Marvel 2’
Rumor has it that Rogue will join the MCU via Captain Marvel 2 as an adversary. Though Rogue is known to become a hero among the X-Men, she does start off as a baddie in the comics.
Rogue’s mother, Mystique, finds out that Captain Marvel will be the end of her daughter via a prophecy; thus, Mystique sets out to take care of Captain Marvel. Yet, Rogue chooses to take matters into her own hands.
Rogue could easily enter the foray as a baddie and/or as part of her mom’s Brotherhood of Mutants. For, there is a comic book trajectory in which Mystique leads her own Brotherhood, including Pyro, the Blob, Avalanche, and Destiny (the one with the prophecy).
Marvel may be looking to place Storm in direct conflict with Mystique, leading to a battle between two strong-headed women instead of Fox’s two former strong-headed men (Magneto and Professor X).
4. Professor X via ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’
According to Mikey Sutton, Doctor Strange will begin to assemble The Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The team will be in place to combat threats they deem too complex for other heroes and Avengers to handle (a little bit of a superiority streak and gray morality define the group).
Doctor Strange will reportedly recruit Professor X for the team. Yet, because this is the “Multiverse,” the recruitment may occur in a different or parallel universe to the main timeline; meaning, fans could receive a younger Professor X, unaquainted with or unconnected to several familiar X-Men.
5. Beast via ‘She-Hulk’ or the predicted ‘Agents of S.W.O.R.D’
Reports suggest that Beast could appear in She-Hulk, as he and Jennifer Walters’ Jade Giant boast a romantic plotline. And, they have fought in combat side-by-side. However, other theories posit that Abigail Brand — the head of S.W.O.R.D — will come to play in She-Hulk. And, since Beast is a main member of this team, Brand’s entrance will make way for a S.W.O.R.D show with Beast at the center. As for S.W.O.R.D, the acronym stands for Sentient World Observation and Response Department, and the organization serves a function similar to S.H.I.E.L.D.
