X-Men Movie Lands ‘Beef’ Writers for 2028 Release

Marvel’s Mutant Saga Gets a Major Boost with New Writers

Fans of Marvel’s mutants finally have some concrete news about the upcoming X-Men movie. The film, set to hit theaters in 2028, is bringing in some serious talent to craft its script. Director Jake Shrier has confirmed that Lee Sunjin and Joanna Ko, the creative minds behind Netflix’s hit show Beef, are currently working on a draft of the screenplay. This is a huge step forward for the movie, which is expected to kick off Marvel’s dedicated Mutant Saga within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Talented Team Assembling for Mutant Masterpiece

Jake Shrier, who also worked with Sunjin and Ko on the upcoming Marvel film Thunderbolts, expressed his excitement about reuniting the team. He told Collider that having these writers, known for their work on critically acclaimed shows like Beef and FX’s The Bear, is a major advantage. Shrier has been deep-diving into the classic X-Men comics, especially the influential run by Chris Claremont, looking for ways to bring a fresh and unique perspective to the beloved characters. The goal is to create something that feels both familiar to comic fans and entirely new for the big screen.

The script has seen development from other writers as well. Michael Leslie previously worked on a draft, and Eric Pearson, who contributed to Thunderbolts, also played a role. This collaborative approach suggests Marvel is building a strong creative foundation for the X-Men’s MCU debut. Shrier emphasized the importance of capturing the personal, character-driven stories that made the original comics so compelling. He believes that focusing on these intimate dynamics, much like in Beef and The Bear, will be key to making the X-Men film feel authentic and impactful.

Claremont’s Legacy and Future Storylines

Director Jake Shrier’s mention of digging into the Chris Claremont run is significant. Claremont’s tenure from 1975 to 1991 is widely considered the golden age of X-Men comics. During this period, he introduced or heavily featured many of the most iconic X-Men villains and storylines, including the Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, and the introduction of characters like Mystique and the Hellfire Club. This era is the DNA for much of the X-Men content fans have loved for decades, from the ’90s animated series to the recent X-Men ’97 on Disney Plus.

Shrier indicated that the film won’t shy away from exploring the core themes of mutant oppression and the societal conflicts that have always been central to the X-Men’s narrative. While past movie adaptations sometimes focused more on mutant-versus-mutant conflicts, the new film aims to revisit the powerful human-versus-mutant struggle. This could mean bringing back classic human antagonists like Reverend Striker and introducing characters from the military-industrial complex who pose a threat to mutants.

The film is also being developed with future installments in mind. Shrier confirmed that while the immediate focus is on making one great movie, the creative team is always thinking about where the story can go next. They are looking at unexplored comic storylines and different avenues that haven’t been heavily featured in previous adaptations. This suggests a long-term plan for the Mutant Saga, potentially introducing more complex villains like Mister Sinister and the Shadow King in later phases.

Potential Cast and Character Hints

While official casting news is still scarce, rumors have begun to surface. Reports suggest Marvel is considering actors like Kit Connor for Hank McCoy (Beast) and Odessa A’zion for Rogue. This, along with writer Lee Sunjin’s expressed love for characters like Gambit and Jubilee, hints that the film might not stick to the very first X-Men lineup from the 1960s. Instead, it appears Marvel is planning a diverse mix of classic and later-introduced mutants.

Characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, and Colossus are expected to feature prominently, with Wolverine potentially appearing later in the film. The inclusion of characters beyond the original five suggests a broader scope for the initial X-Men movie, drawing from the rich tapestry of the Claremont era and beyond. The movie’s production designer, Kazra Farahani, known for his work on Loki and Fantastic Four: First Steps, will help bring this new world to life.

Setting the Stage for Mutants in the MCU

Marvel has already begun subtly introducing the concept of mutants into the MCU. The film Spider-Man: Brand New Day is exploring the idea of mutations affecting DNA, potentially linked to the ongoing incursions. Shows like Wonder Man are also hinting at genetic conditions that could be identified as the X-gene, suggesting that characters with innate powers might retroactively be considered mutants. This careful groundwork is building anticipation for the official X-Men launch in 2028, positioning it as a pivotal moment for the franchise’s future.

Source: MARVEL STUDIOS X-MEN (2028) MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! (YouTube)