The X-Men are gearing up for their grand entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with a new movie, Michael Lesslie, known for his work on “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” is currently in discussions with Marvel Studios to pen the script. This will mark the first X-Men film since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, a move that brought the mutant superheroes under the Marvel umbrella.
A new era for the X-Men
As with all Marvel Studios projects, Kevin Feige will take the helm as producer. However, details such as the director and cast are yet to be announced. Over the past two years, Marvel has subtly integrated mutants into the MCU. This began with brief mentions in 2022’s “Ms. Marvel” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Additionally, iconic X-Men characters have made appearances: Charles Xavier, played by Patrick Stewart, appeared in an alternate universe in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022), and Beast, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, featured in the post-credits scene of 2023’s “The Marvels”, and Hugh Jackman’s made a comeback as the gritty Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine this year, by starring alongside the chimichanga loving Ryan Reynolds, who reprised his role as Deadpool.
Marvel Studios has also revived interest in the X-Men through the Disney+ animated series “X-Men ’97.” This series, a continuation of the beloved 1990s animated show, has received critical acclaim, boosting anticipation for the live-action film.
Michael Lesslie brings a wealth of experience to the project. His career began in 2007 with a stage adaptation of the film “Swimming With Sharks,” which premiered in London’s West End. He later adapted Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” for the 2015 film directed by Justin Kurzel, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Lesslie collaborated again with Kurzel for “Assassin’s Creed” in 2016.
He also co-wrote and executive produced the 2018 BBC/AMC series “The Little Drummer Girl,” an adaptation of John le Carré’s novel directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Michael Shannon, Alexander Skarsgård, and Florence Pugh.Most recently, Lesslie produced and wrote a feature film adaptation of “Hamlet,” featuring Riz Ahmed, Joe Alwyn, Morfydd Clark, and Timothy Spall, and directed by Aneil Karia. He is also a co-writer on the upcoming “Now You See Me 3.”As Marvel Studios moves forward with integrating the X-Men into the MCU, fans eagerly await more news on this highly anticipated film.
