The Future of X-Men and Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

With Disney's Acquisition of 21st/20th Century Fox, the landscape of the superhero genre has dramatically shifted. As a result, Disney now holds the live-action film rights for the X-Men and Fantastic Four, which in turn means these characters will most likely join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Disney's Expansion of the MCU

Entertainment Assets Transfer: Disney acquired the entertainment assets of 21st/20th Century Fox, significantly expanding its presence in the superhero genre. This acquisition also included the film rights for the X-Men and Fantastic Four, returning these characters to Marvel Studios.

Characters and Concepts in the MCU: The groundwork is being laid to introduce these characters and their rich backstories to the MCU. Kamala Khan and Namor have been described as mutants, and the third Deadpool film is currently in production at Marvel Studios. The upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also introduced alternate versions of Reed Richards and Charles Xavier, hinting at a possible expansion of the X-Men.

Evolution of the X-Men and Fantastic Four in the MCU

Appearance in the MCU: Both Professor X and Reed Richards made appearances in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, further cementing the possibility of their inclusion in the MCU. Kamala Khan and Namor have already been introduced as mutant characters in the MCU, and the introduction of the X-Men could be imminent.

Film in the Works: A Fantastic Four film is in production, directed by WandaVision's Matt Shakman. However, the project saw a notable change, with Jon Watts dropping out due to superhero burnout.

Pandemic and Delay: The pandemic caused a significant delay in the introduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the MCU. However, hints of the Fantastic Four may still be seen in Wakanda Forever, given that Namor, a primary Fantastic Four enemy, is also a character of notable significance. Additionally, there are rumors suggesting that Doctor Doom may make a brief appearance in an end-credits scene, further blurring the lines between different Marvel universes.

Historical Context

Reversion of Film Rights: When Marvel got out of bankruptcy in the 1990s, they sold some of their film rights to studios like Sony and 21st/20th Century Fox. However, this sale has now been reversed, with these rights now returning to Marvel.

Conclusion

The transfer of the X-Men and Fantastic Four to Marvel Studios is a significant development for the MCU. With the groundwork being laid and potential introductions of key characters, it seems likely that these iconic franchises will soon join the larger MCU family, enriching the narrative possibilities and expanding the boundaries of the superhero genre.

Stay tuned for further updates on how these characters will evolve and how they will be integrated into the MCU!