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MCU Phase 6 Proves Marvel Doesn't Need To Rush The X-Men
With exciting projects like Fantastic Four and two new Avengers movies already announced, Marvel Studios don't have to rush the X-Men into the MCU.

MCU Phase 6 Proves Marvel Doesn't Need To Rush The X-Men

Marvel’s recent announcements at San Diego Comic-Con regarding MCU Phase 6 plans highlight that the studio can take its time introducing the X-Men into the fold. With the X-Men arguably being the most popular group in the lengthy history of Marvel Comics and stars of their own pre-MCU film series, it’s only a matter of “when,” not “if.” With that in mind, plenty of upcoming Marvel movies and TV shows have nothing to do with mutants. This reality sets up a future where a measured slow build of MCU mutantdom provides the best of both worlds.

Though the overall quality wavered from movie to movie, the X-Men film series became one of the most beloved blockbuster franchises of the 2000s and 2010s. Megastars like Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Patrick Stewart, and James McAvoy played mutants with aplomb. With the MCU under Disney’s control and the X-Men film rights being owned by 20th Century Fox until Disney bought up their distinguished competition, mutants couldn’t join Marvel Studios until relatively recently.

Just because Disney has the X-Men rights under their banner doesn’t mean they should rush headlong into the proverbial fray. MCU Phase 5 is fully fleshed out with non-mutant properties and the three announced MCU Phase 6 projects prove the MCU has plenty to offer while bringing Charles Xavier’s clan in slowly but surely. The return of the Avengers and a debut of an entirely new Fantastic Four are enough to get Marvel acolytes excited for the future.

How MCU Phase 6 Can Succeed With Minimal X-Men Involvement

The MCU Phase 5, which lasts from February 2023 to July 2024, has 11 announced projects, none being X-Men-related. MCU Phase 6, which runs from Fall 2024 through November 2025, only has seen three of its projects announced: two Avengers movies and Fantastic Four. Assuming a solid chunk of the unannounced Marvel Phase 6 projects are sequels, there are still a few slots left for the X-Men. Instead of unloading a ton of mutant projects at once, having a movie here and a series there will satiate audiences while providing an organic introduction.

It’s common knowledge that Deadpool 3 is in the works, and Namor is about to make his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Kamala Khan was just confirmed as the MCU’s first mutant in Ms. Marvel. Having mutants show up in other team projects and sequels can build the kind of hype Marvel Studios is known for generating. If they come out and announce Deadpool 3, a Namor project, an X-Men film, and some other standalone mutant project all at the same time, they run the risk of doing too much at once, diluting the focus. Besides, with exciting MCU Phase 5 projects like ThunderboltsBladeDaredevil: Born Again, and The Marvels filling out the lineup, there is plenty for audiences of all kinds to enjoy.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always looking to generate big buzz, but they don’t need to rush with the X-Men and the rest of the mutants. A schedule of measured releases would organically make the X-Men one of the MCU’s premier properties after MCU Phase 6. If Kang the Conqueror is going to be the overarching villain of the Multiverse Saga (encompassing Phases 4, 5, and 6), then it makes sense for the Avengers to continue being the biggest thing on the block. There is plenty of time for mutants down the line.