Marvel Studios appears to be closing in on a director for its long-awaited X-Men reboot—and the name at the top of the list is Jake Schreier. Best known to Marvel fans for directing Thunderbolts, Schreier is reportedly in early negotiations to helm one of the most significant reintroductions in superhero cinema: the MCU’s take on the X-Men.
A Strategic Choice for Marvel’s Mutant Future
According to reports from multiple major entertainment sources, including The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, Schreier has recently emerged as Marvel’s leading candidate following successful internal meetings. His previous work on Thunderbolts, which blended a dark tone with strong ensemble dynamics, has been both critically praised and commercially successful, earning over $170 million globally. It also helped reframe Marvel’s post-Endgame landscape by embracing morally complex characters and grounding its team in emotional realism—a tone that would be well-suited for the X-Men.
Insiders say Schreier has long been a fan of the X-Men comics and is especially interested in telling a more grounded, character-driven story for the team’s MCU debut. That passion may give him a creative edge in balancing the franchise’s rich mythology with the cinematic expectations of a modern audience.
Behind the Script: Michael Lesslie’s Role
The screenplay is being developed by Michael Lesslie, the screenwriter behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Assassin’s Creed. Lesslie’s experience with high-stakes ensemble storytelling and politically charged narratives aligns well with the X-Men’s themes—discrimination, identity, and the cost of power. His involvement signals that Marvel may be looking to elevate the social commentary that has always been central to the X-Men’s best arcs.
Casting Whispers: Who Might Join the Team?
While nothing is officially confirmed, early casting buzz suggests Marvel is already assembling a shortlist of talent. Harris Dickinson is rumored for Cyclops, Margaret Qualley for Rogue, Julia Butters for Kitty Pryde, and Avatar: The Way of Water breakout Trinity Bliss for Jubilee. These choices hint at a younger, more emotionally accessible team compared to Fox’s earlier interpretations.
This approach could allow Marvel to develop these characters over multiple phases, building interpersonal drama and loyalty with the audience—similar to what the MCU achieved with the original Avengers lineup.
Where the X-Men Fit in the MCU Timeline
The reboot has been a long time coming. After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the film rights to the X-Men reverted to Marvel Studios. Since then, Kevin Feige and the Marvel brass have remained tight-lipped about how and when mutants would enter the MCU—though small teases in Ms. Marvel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and The Marvels have planted seeds.
The timeline for the new X-Men film is still uncertain, but speculation places it after Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, possibly as part of the post-Multiverse Saga phase. This could mean a 2027 or 2028 release window at the earliest, allowing Marvel to reset its cinematic universe and give mutants the spotlight they deserve.
Why Jake Schreier Might Be the Right Fit
Directing the X-Men is no small task. It’s not just about action sequences and mutant powers—it’s about managing one of the most diverse and emotionally charged rosters in comic book history. Schreier’s work on Thunderbolts showed a knack for layered storytelling, emotional tension, and team chemistry. Those traits are essential when dealing with characters like Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey.
Furthermore, Marvel has shown a trend of keeping talent within the family. From Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy) to Ryan Coogler (Black Panther series), and now potentially Schreier, the studio values directors who understand the MCU’s tone but bring their own style to major properties.
The Wait Continues—for Now
As of now, Schreier’s involvement remains unconfirmed by Marvel Studios, but momentum is building fast. With the Multiverse Saga racing toward its conclusion, and fans hungry for the next major chapter, the X-Men are poised to become a defining element of Marvel’s future. Whether Jake Schreier ends up in the director’s chair or not, the pieces are finally moving—and this time, it looks like the mutants are here to stay.
X-Men Series Correct Order
Are you tired of jumping between timelines and getting confused about the X-Men movie order? The X-Men series has become a complex web of prequels, sequels, and spin-offs that can leave even dedicated fans scratching their heads. The correct chronological order of the X-Men films begins with X-Men: First Class, followed by X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix, The New Mutants, the original X-Men, and X2: X-Men United.
This beloved superhero franchise spans multiple decades with interconnected storylines and character arcs. While you could watch them in release order starting from 2000, the chronological approach offers a fresh perspective on the mutants’ journey. The timeline gets especially tricky with Days of Future Past, which features both past and future versions of characters, effectively creating a split in the X-Men universe.
The X-Men movies can be confusing to watch in order due to multiple timelines, prequels, and retcons. Below are two main ways to watch them:
Chronological Order (Story Timeline Order)
This order follows the events as they happen in the X-Men universe, not by release date:
- X-Men: First Class (2011) – Set in the 1960s
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Start with the 1973 scenes after First Class, then the future scenes near the end
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) – Set in the late ’70s to early 1980s
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) – Set in the 1980s
- X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) – Set in the 1990s
- X-Men (2000) – The original film, early 2000s
- X2: X-Men United (2003) – Direct sequel to X-Men
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) – Follows X2
- The Wolverine (2013) – Set after The Last Stand
- Deadpool (2016) – Roughly modern-day, loosely tied
- Deadpool 2 (2018) – Slightly after Deadpool
- Logan (2017) – Far future, 2029, ends Wolverine’s arc
- The New Mutants (2020) – Ambiguous placement, likely post-Logan or alternate timeline
Release Order (By Theaters)
Watching in the order they came out:
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
Two Timelines Explained
“Days of Future Past” creates a split:
- Everything before 1973 is common.
- After that, there are two timelines:
- Original Timeline: X-Men (2000), X2, The Last Stand, The Wolverine
- Revised Timeline: First Class, Days of Future Past (1973 outcome), Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix
Key Takeaways
- The X-Men films start chronologically with First Class in the 1960s, not with the 2000 original film.
- Time travel in Days of Future Past creates an alternate timeline that affects the viewing order.
- Multiple viewing orders exist depending on whether you prefer chronological storytelling or the way the films were originally released.
Understanding the X-Men Universe
The X-Men film franchise spans multiple decades, timelines, and character arcs that can be challenging to navigate. The series explores themes of discrimination, identity, and heroism through the stories of mutants with extraordinary abilities.
Main X-Men Franchise Overview
The core X-Men series began in 2000 with “X-Men,” directed by Bryan Singer. This film introduced audiences to Professor Charles Xavier’s school for gifted youngsters and his team of mutant heroes.
The original trilogy includes “X-Men” (2000), “X2: X-Men United” (2003), and “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006). These films focus on the rivalry between Xavier and Magneto while exploring the struggle for mutant acceptance.
A second trilogy set in earlier decades began with “X-Men: First Class” (2011), which takes place primarily in 1962. This prequel shows the early friendship between young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr before they became Professor X and Magneto.
“X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016) and “Dark Phoenix” (2019) continued this timeline, moving into the 1980s and early 1990s while introducing younger versions of familiar characters.
Spin-Offs and Standalone Films
Wolverine received his own trilogy starting with “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009), which attempts to explain Logan’s backstory. “The Wolverine” (2013) follows Logan to Japan for a more personal journey.
“Logan” (2017) serves as Hugh Jackman’s farewell to the character, set in a bleak future where mutants are nearly extinct. This R-rated film offers a more mature, emotional conclusion to Wolverine’s story.
The “Deadpool” films (2016, 2018) brought Ryan Reynolds’ fourth-wall-breaking mercenary to screens with R-rated humor and violence. These films exist somewhat separately but with references to the larger X-Men universe.
“The New Mutants” (2020) represents a horror-tinged approach, focusing on five young mutants discovering their abilities while trapped in a secret facility.
Timelines and Continuity
The X-Men franchise contains two main timelines that were cleverly addressed in “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014). This film serves as both sequel and prequel, connecting the original and prequel trilogies.
The original timeline begins with “X-Men: First Class” and continues through the original trilogy and standalone films. Events in “Days of Future Past” create a new timeline where the catastrophic future is prevented.
In this new timeline, events from “X-Men: The Last Stand” and other films never occur. This allowed filmmakers to essentially reset continuity while acknowledging previous entries.
Some continuity issues remain unresolved throughout the series. Different films occasionally contradict each other, particularly regarding character ages and certain events in mutant history.
Navigating the X-Men Series Chronologically
Watching the X-Men films in chronological order rather than by release date offers a different perspective on the mutant saga. This approach follows the timeline of events within the X-Men universe, spanning from the 1960s to the near future.
The ‘First Class’ Timeline
The chronological journey begins with X-Men: First Class (2011), set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This film introduces young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr before they become Professor X and Magneto. Their friendship and eventual ideological split forms the backbone of the entire franchise.
Next comes X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), which spans two time periods – a dystopian 2023 and 1973. The 1973 segments follow directly after First Class, showing Xavier rebuilding his school while facing a new threat from Bolivar Trask.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) takes place in 1983, introducing younger versions of familiar characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Storm. The ancient mutant Apocalypse threatens the world.
The timeline continues with Dark Phoenix (2019), set in 1992. This film focuses on Jean Grey’s transformation into the Phoenix, creating a rift among the X-Men team.
The Wolverine Trilogy
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) spans several decades but primarily covers events in the 1970s and early 1980s. It explores Logan’s backstory, his relationship with his brother Victor Creed, and how he received his adamantium skeleton.
The Wolverine (2013) takes place after the original X-Men trilogy, around 2013. Logan travels to Japan, dealing with personal demons while confronting new enemies.
Logan (2017) presents a grim future set in 2029, where mutants are nearly extinct. This final chapter in Wolverine’s story shows an aging Logan protecting a young mutant named Laura while dealing with his declining health. The film offers a powerful conclusion to the character’s journey.
Deadpool’s Narrative
Deadpool (2016) exists somewhat separately from the main X-Men timeline. Set roughly in the present day when it was released, it tells the origin story of Wade Wilson’s transformation into the irreverent mercenary Deadpool.
Deadpool 2 (2018) continues shortly after the first film. It introduces time-traveling character Cable and the X-Force team. While featuring some X-Men characters like Colossus, these films maintain a more standalone quality.
The Deadpool films reference the wider X-Men universe but operate with more creative freedom than the main storyline. They frequently break the fourth wall and comment on timeline inconsistencies that exist within the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many X-Men fans struggle with finding the right order to watch this complex series. The films span different timelines and feature multiple versions of characters across various points in history.
What is the ideal order to watch the X-Men movies to understand the series’ timeline?
For the best understanding of the X-Men timeline, fans should watch in chronological order rather than release order. Start with “X-Men: First Class” (set in the 1960s), followed by “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” then “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
Continue with the original trilogy: “X-Men,” “X2: X-Men United,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Then watch “The Wolverine” before completing the main timeline.
This order helps viewers understand how the mutant world evolved and how key characters developed over time.
Which X-Men movie should I start with if I want to follow the story chronologically?
“X-Men: First Class” is the recommended starting point for a chronological viewing. Set in 1962, it introduces younger versions of Professor X and Magneto.
This film establishes the foundation of their relationship and the beginning of the X-Men team. It provides essential background that makes later conflicts more meaningful and understandable.
Has Disney Plus provided an official viewing order for the X-Men series?
Disney Plus has not released an official X-Men viewing order recommendation. The streaming service simply lists the films by release date rather than suggesting a chronological path.
Users must create their own viewing plans based on fan recommendations or movie timelines. This lack of official guidance has contributed to ongoing debates about the best way to experience the series.
Where can I find a reliable list of X-Men movies in chronological order?
Reliable chronological lists can be found on entertainment websites like Space.com and various fan forums. These resources typically agree on the basic timeline structure.
Reddit communities dedicated to Marvel or X-Men specifically offer detailed breakdowns of viewing orders. These often include explanations for why certain sequences work better than others.
Film review sites also regularly update their X-Men timelines to incorporate new releases and retcons.
Can you recommend the sequence to watch X-Men films based on their release dates?
The release order begins with “X-Men” (2000), followed by “X2: X-Men United” (2003), and “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006). Next comes “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) and “X-Men: First Class” (2011).
Continue with “The Wolverine” (2013), “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014), “Deadpool” (2016), and “X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016). The series concludes with the most recent films including “Logan” (2017), “Deadpool 2” (2018), and “Dark Phoenix” (2019).
Some fans prefer this order to experience the evolution of special effects and filmmaking techniques.
Is there a consensus among fans on Reddit about the correct order to watch the X-Men series?
Reddit discussions show most fans favor chronological viewing over release order. Many Reddit threads recommend starting with “First Class” and following the timeline.
However, some Reddit users suggest watching in release order for first-time viewers. They argue this preserves the surprise elements and avoids confusion from timeline changes introduced in later films.
A popular compromise involves watching specific character arcs together rather than trying to reconcile the entire series.
