Marvel Studios gathered an incredible roster of behind-the-scenes talent for Jake Schreier's Thunderbolts* (leading to some inventive, A24-inspired trailers). While that didn't necessarily pay off at the box office, it resulted in one of the MCU's most critically acclaimed blockbusters.
Ultimately, Thunderbolts* reminded Marvel Studios that audiences won't necessarily turn up for streaming or B-list characters they're largely unfamiliar with. The X-Men is a very different beast, of course, and it stands a chance of becoming the franchise's next $1 billion property.
Schreier is clearly eager to assemble the most talented people to bring mutants back to theaters, as Pat Scola has confirmed on his website that he'll serve as X-Men's Cinematographer.
He previously served as Director of Photography on The Death of Robin Hood, Sing Sing, A Quiet Place: Day One, Pig, and Lurker.
While this will be Scola's first superhero movie, we can expect X-Men to be a particularly impressive-looking blockbuster based on his previous projects. While many fans are eager for an X-Men '97-style approach to the team, it's looking increasingly likely—judging by what we saw from Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day—it will be darker and more in line with 2000's X-Men.
"Going back to what we mentioned earlier about attracting young people and connecting with a new generation of audiences, that's exactly what the next universe will be about," Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige previously said of plans for the post-Avengers: Secret Wars MCU. "And fundamentally, the X-Men will be at its core."
"Acquiring the X-Men rights isn't just about... for example, Wolverine is an outstanding character, and we were able to team him up with Deadpool, which is great," he continued. "But the X-Men are far more than just Wolverine, far more than the original team; fundamentally, it's a universe, a multi-stage saga. Much of that is what we're working towards."
Directed by Jake Schreier (Thunderbolts*), the untitled X-Men movie stars Kit Connor (Heartstopper) as Scott Summers, Sadie Sink (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) as Jean Grey, Christopher Abbott (Catch-22) as Professor Charles Xavier, Inde Navarrette (Obsession) as Rogue, and Maya Boyd (& Juliet) as Storm.
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) also stars as Emma Frost, alongside Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), who plays Nathaniel Milbury, an alias of Mister Sinister in the comics.
X-Men will be released exclusively in theaters May 5, 2028. Stay tuned for updates on the reboot as we have them.