The X-Men are coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon, and the team’s TV foray could lead to some major appearances. Since Disney bought Fox, the MCU has been taking its time with the X-Men. A few mutants have popped up in projects throughout the Multiverse Saga, with one of the MCU’s best movies, Deadpool & Wolverine, serving as the first real look into the X-Men since Fox’s mutant franchise ended.
As Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed the $1 billion mark and has become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, Marvel knows full well the potential the mutants have. Due to that, an MCU X-Men movie is in the works. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes writer Michael Lesslie pens the project. Recently, a new direction for the franchise was revealed, with an MCU X-Men show reported to be in development. It is said to focus on young mutants at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, which would allow Marvel to use exciting X-Men players.
10
Cyclops
Teacher – The Field Leader Of The X-Men
First up is Scott Summers, aka Cyclops. As is well known, the character was not nearly as important in both versions of Fox’s live-action X-Men franchise as he is in the comics. However, Marvel Studios already showed it understands how crucial Cyclops is to the team through the acclaimed X-Men ’97 series and Scott’s leadership role in the animated show. That could be repeated by the MCU.
With a show focused on younger X-Men characters, Marvel has the opportunity to bring in major members of the team to serve as the teachers of the new generation of mutants at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. While the movies could focus on big events and action-packed adventures, the X-Men series would allow Marvel to focus on character development. Showing Cyclops’ side as a leader and mentor to other mutants, with younger characters looking up to him, would work perfectly.
9
X-23
Student – The MCU’s Wolverine In Training
Dane Keen’s X-23 stole everyone’s heart with her role in 2017’s Logan. That is why the actress’ return as Laura in the MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine was a welcome surprise, with the character becoming one of the film’s most popular. Since the 2025 Marvel Studios movie ended with X-23 alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, it is likely that she will return to the MCU when the duo does.
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Based on how the reported MCU X-Men series is said to focus on younger mutants, X-23 feels like a surefire candidate if the project ends up happening. Keen’s character is already a fan favorite, and the MCU TV show could make her the lead, allowing fans to navigate the franchise’s new mutant corner through the eyes of a character they love. Jackman’s Wolverine could even show up for an episode or more to interact with X-23, with her training to become a bona fide superhero.
8
Charles Xavier
Headmaster – The Creator Of The X-Men And The Xavier Institute For Higher Learning
Another key character who would have to show up in the MCU’s X-Men series in some capacity is Charles Xavier. After all, the project is said to take place at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. It would only make sense if Professor X served in the headmaster role in the series. This way, his presence could loom over the show even if he only appeared sporadically.
X-Men Movies In Release Order |
|---|
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) |
Dark Phoenix (2019) |
The New Mutants (2020) |
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
Xavier is the face the world sees when they think about mutants. As such, it would be interesting to see him passing on his ideals to a younger generation of mutants, with the long-form take on the X-Men allowing Marvel to really dive into the more philosophical/political sides of Xavier’s arguments for the mutant cause. At 45, James McAvoy could be perfect for that version of the character, reprising his Fox X-Men franchise role.
7
Cannonball
Student – A New Mutant Seeking Theatrical Redemption
Another character who would make for an exciting student in the MCU X-Men series is Cannonball. The long-form storytelling allows Marvel to include more obscure mutants that live-action audiences still do not know much about. While Stranger Things‘ Charlie Heaton played Cannonball in Fox’s The New Mutants, that movie was the final one in the franchise and was not watched by many. As such, the MCU can offer Sam Guthrie a fresh start.
Cannonball is a very loyal character in Marvel Comics, and his interactions with his friends are hilarious and heartwarming. As such, the character could be used as a mirror for Cyclops on the young mutants’ side. Cannonball has served as the leader of the New Mutants, and he is often impacted by Charles Xavier’s input. That makes him similar to Cyclops, and that relationship would be interesting for the MCU.
6
Jean Grey
Teacher – Charles Xavier’s First Student
Jean Grey is a very interesting character who could show up in the MCU’s X-Men series. She was the first student at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the comics. As such, she has a unique insight into the lives that the main characters of the reported MCU X-Men series are leading. Jean Grey’s past could even be explored in the series, which would allow more time than the upcoming X-Men movie to delve into her origins.
Drawing parallels between her arrival at Charles Xavier’s doorstep and her in the present day as a teacher to young mutants would be quite exciting. Jean’s empathic and telepathic powers are more or less singular in the X-Men mythos, at least where the main team of heroes is concerned. That could lead to her playing a key role in the coming-of-age story.
5
Sunspot
Student – One Of The Main Characters Of X-Men ’97
Marvel Studios has already shown Sunpsot’s potential. The character was chosen to serve as the audience surrogate in the world of Marvel’s mutants in X-Men ’97. A mix of how the character behaved there and how Roberto da Costa is known to act in the comics would be great for the MCU. Incredibly rich, sarcastic, and impulsive, Roberto is sure to be one of the fan favorites if he appears in the MCU’s X-Men series.
Adding to that, his friendship with Cannonball is one of the best in the mutant side of Marvel Comics. With the MCU X-Men series said to follow younger mutants, Cannonball, Sunspot, and multiple characters from the comics’ New Mutants team could show up. Seeing Bobby with his most famous team in a good project, which Fox’s The New Mutants was not, would be perfect.
4
Beast
Teacher – One Of The Wisest X-Men Members
Beast is a character who can work perfectly as one of the main teachers of the reported MCU X-Men series for a few reasons. First, there is the fact that he is a genius. Hank McCoy is one of the smartest characters in Marvel Comics, and he could put all that wisdom to good use by helping guide the next generation of mutants. His compassion would make him a kind teacher for the mutants.
Hank’s mutation completely altered his looks, making sure he never fits into the human world again.
There is also the fact that Beast is one of the X-Men who cannot hide his identity. Hank’s mutation completely altered his looks, making sure he never fits into the human world again. Most, if not all, young mutants go through a phase where they need to learn how to deal with the fact that they are different. Beast can help ease those youngsters into their new lives with the necessary care and warmth for the job.
3
Magik
Student – The Return Of One Of Hollywood’s Rising Stars
Magik is one of the characters adapted for Fox’s The New Mutants. While the movie was not nearly as terrifying or exciting as it was promised to be, Anya Taylor-Joy’s Magik emerged as the best aspect of that film. However, with the end of the franchise, Illyana was cast aside. With the MCU likely looking for major stars for its X-Men reboot, Taylor-Joy’s return as Magik would fit the bill and allow the character to be part of a better franchise.
Magik would be the rebel of the group. Every teen series needs at least one, and Ilyana is the textbook rebel, down to her confrontational personality and dark leather outfits. She also has a tragic past, which the MCU X-Men series could explore in a way that sees Magik warm up to others as the episodes/seasons go by.
2
Storm
Teacher – One Of The School’s Headmistresses In The Comics
Storm is the perfect kind of teacher for the MCU’s X-Men series. Ororo Munroe is known for being one of the most powerful mutants and one of the best leaders the X-Men have ever had. She also brings a regal aura and an air of mystery that, coupled with her achievements, make her a figure to be respected. Storm would be a character the MCU’s young mutants could look up to in awe.
Storm’s inclusion in the series could also focus on expanding the MCU and connecting the X-Men corner of the franchise with Wakanda. In the comics, Storm marries T’Challa, aka Black Panther. With rumors that Black Panther 3 will recast T’Challa, the MCU could go for that story in the future. A Wakandan mutant studying under Storm at the school could be the start of that connection, with the X-Men series planting seeds for the MCU’s future.
1
Kitty Pryde
Student – The X-Men’s Own Spider-Man-Like Hero
Finally, Kitty Pryde could serve as the Spider-Man of the MCU’s X-Men corner. Kitty is very much like Peter Parker, personality-wise. With her wisecracking style and expansive persona, Kitty should be a scene-stealer if she joins the MCU. The hero has one of the best character developments out of Marvel’s mutants in the comics. Kitty’s journey could have her start from a spot of vulnerability and grow to be quite the X-Men member.
In Marvel Comics, she manages to go from a student at Xavier’s school to its headmistress. If Marvel is in for the long haul with the X-Men, which is to be expected, then the seeds of that final step for the character could be planted as the MCU’s X-Men series goes by. Having a wide-eyed character turn into a bright leader by the end of the series is precisely what Marvel Studios’ reported X-Men TV show should be all about.