Marvel Studios’ X-MEN Reboot Will Focus On ‘Character-First Storytelling,’ Says Co-Writer Lee Sung Jin

Lee Sung Jin’s passion for the X-Men franchise is becoming clearer with every new detail revealed about Marvel Studios’ upcoming reboot. In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the Beef creator opened up about joining director Jake Schreier on the long-awaited live-action X-Men film for Marvel Studios, and why the opportunity was impossible to pass up. Lee revealed that despite initially not planning to return for another Marvel project after working on Thunderbolts*, the X-Men proved too important to ignore. “Jake is one of my best friends, and when he comes calling with X-Men…come on, you drop everything for that,” he said.

The writer also spoke about his deep personal connection to the franchise, citing both X-Men: The Animated Series and the legendary Chris Claremont comic run as major inspirations growing up. “I grew up waking up every Saturday morning and turning on the cartoon. I watched every single episode. When they came back with X-Men ’97, I devoured that. The original Claremont run of the comics is near and dear to my heart,” Lee explained. For longtime X-Men fans, those comments will likely feel reassuring, especially considering Claremont’s era is widely regarded as the foundation for the character-driven storytelling that made the mutant franchise iconic.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the interview came when Lee discussed the overall creative direction behind the reboot. According to him, the film’s primary focus will not simply be spectacle or large-scale action, but the characters themselves. “What I’m excited about with Jake’s vision for the X-Men… is that he wants to get back to focusing on the characters first,” Lee said. He continued by emphasizing the dynamics that have always defined the X-Men mythology. “These are amazing characters with very rich backstories full of so much emotion. There are so many intra-team dynamics and relationships. There’s soapy stuff.”

That “character-first” approach has long been one of the franchise’s greatest strengths, whether in the comics, the animated series, or even the best moments of Fox’s X-Men films. The mutant world has always thrived on complicated relationships and ideological clashes, just as much as superhero action. Lee’s comments suggest the creative team fully understands what has appealed to most fans for decades.

Lee also confirmed that the creative process behind the reboot has been highly collaborative, with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D’Esposito heavily involved alongside Schreier and co-writer Joanna Calo. “We’ve been in the lab every day. I’ve been going into Marvel every day. We’re doing long writing sessions. Kevin and Lou are in there with us. It’s me, Joanna Calo, Jake, Kevin, and Lou. We’re in the trenches together and it’s invigorating,” he explained. Lee added that everyone involved genuinely loves the characters and wants to deliver something longtime fans will appreciate.

While official story details for Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot remain under wraps, Lee Sung Jin’s comments paint a promising picture for those hoping the MCU version embraces the complexities that have always defined the X-Men at their best. His enthusiasm for the project is unmistakable, especially with his final comment about the franchise: “This is the privilege of a lifetime. It’s the coolest IP out there, in my opinion.”

Source: Men’s Health Magazine (thanks to ComicBookMovie for the heads up)