Kevin Feige Confirms THUNDERBOLTS* Director Jake Schreier Will Direct ‘Youth-Oriented’ X-MEN For Marvel Studios

In a highly anticipated update from Marvel Studios, President Kevin Feige has officially confirmed to ComicBook.com that Thunderbolts * director Jake Schreier will helm the upcoming X-Men film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The news broke during Feige’s press rounds for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and marks the first time Marvel has publicly named a director for the long-awaited reboot of one of its most iconic franchises.

“It’s official, Jake Schreier is doing X-Men for us, and we’re very, very lucky,” he said. “And we’re very, very lucky to have him and very excited to have him. And so we’re beginning. It’s all starting now. The script’s underway.” The announcement signals that Marvel is not only moving forward with its mutant plans, but also that the wheels are turning behind the scenes, with pre-production officially underway.

Feige went on to praise Schreier’s work on Thunderbolts *, citing both the film’s reception and Schreier’s talent as key reasons for his selection. “Jake’s an incredibly smart guy, and he’s an incredibly talented filmmaker,” Feige said. “We had a great experience with him on Thunderbolts *. And if you saw that movie, what he did with those character interactions, he also has his pulse on, shall we say, a younger demographic. He’s younger than me for sure, but he’s tapped into that in a way that I think was important for Thunderbolts *, much more important for X-Men.”

The emphasis on youth is particularly noteworthy. According to Feige, X-Men will follow in the footsteps of the original comic books by centering around a younger, more diverse ensemble. “Because X-Men, as it was in the comics, will be a very youth-oriented, focused and cast movie,” he added.

Schreier’s involvement appears to be part of a larger strategy by Marvel Studios to refresh and reinvigorate its roster with new creative voices and perspectives. With X-Men now officially in development and a director locked in, the return of mutants to the big screen (outside of much-appreciated nostalgic comebacks with the original cast) is no longer a matter of “if,” but “when.” And with Feige’s full support behind Schreier, Marvel fans have every reason to be excited about what comes neXt.

The film could be ready to go by 2027, but it’s a matter if they’re involved with Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027),

Realistically, the film could be ready for theatrical release in 2027, though it remains unclear whether these X-Men will be involved in Avengers: Secret Wars, currently slated for December 17, 2027. If their introduction follows the aftermath of that major event, then a 2028 debut obviously makes more sense.

Possible dates: