Details about Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” reboot remain scarce. What we do know: “Thunderbolts” director Jake Schreier is officially at the helm, and Sadie Sink is reportedly cast as Jean Grey.
Previously, Michael Lesslie—known for “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” and “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t”—was scripting the film, revising an earlier draft by Aaron Rabin and Zach Dean. It now appears the screenplay has gone through another rewrite.
In a recent interview with Collider, Schreier revealed that “Beef” creator Lee Sung Jin and “The Bear” writer and co-showrunner Joanna Calo are both reportedly working on the rewrites for this upcoming “X-Men” movie.
They have come in and are working on a draft right now, which is really exciting to be able to put that group of people together again. When you go back and read X-Men [comics], there’s ideology, but also interpersonal drama, almost of a soap opera quality. Having writers who understand both how to drive ideology from personal stakes, if we get that right, that’s what will feel most honest to what X-Men can be.
This isn’t necessarily unusual for Marvel—rewrites happen frequently. Take “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, which reportedly went through more than 10 different script versions. However, most Marvel films ultimately credit two writers or fewer. The same will likely be true for this X-Men movie, which is expected to hit theaters in 2028.
The upcoming reboot is being billed as X-Men’s major return to theaters since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019. Fox’s previous X-Men franchise, which included seven main films and three Wolverine spin-offs, stumbled after 2019’s “Dark Phoenix” flopped with critics and audiences alike.
As for those casting rumors. Keep in mind that nothing has been confirmed, Jack Champion (“Avatar: Fire and Ash”) being eyed for the role of Cyclops. Sadie Sink (“Stranger Things”) being in the running for Jean Grey, Julia Butters being eyed for Kitty Pryde, and Margaret Qualley up for the role of Rogue.
The man doesn't stop. James Gunn has confirmed he's already hard at work writing his next film, even as ‘Man of Tomorrow’ makes its way toward theaters next summer.