Why Can't Disney Use the X-Men in Their Movies After Buying Marvel?

It’s a question many fans have been asking for years: why can't Disney use the X-Men in their movies, even after buying Marvel in 2009?

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The answer lies in a complex web of licensing and contractual agreements. When Marvel licensed some of its intellectual property to Fox, the rights to the X-Men were included. This meant that when Marvel was acquired by Walt Disney in 2009, they did not have ownership over the X-Men. However, things changed significantly in 2019 when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, thus gaining the rights to the X-Men film universe.

The Marvel’s MCU and X-Men

The latest developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have been intriguing. The movie The Marvels featured a unique twist, revealing that the character Monica Rambeau’s mother was still alive and possessed similar powers to Captain Marvel, known as Binary. This connection to the X-Men made fans speculate that Disney might soon include more X-Men characters in the MCU.

Similarly, the upcoming Deadpool and Wolverine movies have also raised the possibility of X-Men characters making their way into the MCU. The plans seem to be in motion, with Disney seemingly ready to take the X-Men franchise and integrate it into the MCU.

The Complexity of Contracts

However, the path to integrating the X-Men into the MCU isn't as straightforward as it might seem. The key issue is the actors' contracts. Many of the actors who portray X-Men characters in the Fox films have contracts that prevent them from appearing in MCU movies until 2026. This is a significant hurdle that Disney must navigate.

Disney has already managed to bring in some X-Men elements through casting choices. For example, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured an alternate universe version of Charles Xavier played by Patrick Stewart. Hugh Jackman is scheduled to make a final appearance as Wolverine in the third Deadpool film, which is set to release in 2024. Evan Peters, known for his role as Jean Grey in X-Men and Mutant X, was used in a casting gag to punk viewers in WandaVision.

Kevin Feige’s Deliberate Approach

Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, is known for his methodical and strategic approach to storytelling. He prefers to lay the groundwork for new characters and concepts before diving into them fully. This approach can be seen in the Daredevil series, which could have returned much sooner but was delayed to prepare viewers for movies like No Way Home, Hawkeye, and Echo.

The same approach is being applied to the introduction of mutants into the MCU. Characters like Kamala Khan and Namor are already established as mutants, while the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer hinted at an alternate universe version of Charles Xavier. These subtle inclusions suggest that Disney and Marvel are carefully preparing the audience for a full introduction of the X-Men characters.

The Future of X-Men in the MCU

Reports suggest that Disney is bound by contract to cast the Fox actors in specific roles until 2025. This means that significant changes to the X-Men universe in the MCU will have to wait. However, with the upcoming films and the eventual expiration of these contracts, it is highly likely that we will see more X-Men characters and storylines woven into the MCU.

In conclusion, while Disney now owns the X-Men film rights, the path to fully integrating them into the MCU is fraught with contractual obligations. Despite these challenges, the ongoing efforts to include X-Men elements in MCU movies indicate that the future of the X-Men in the MCU is on the horizon.

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