The X-Men should be introduced to the MCU as a Disney+ series!

In 2019 Disney purchased the rights to Fox, which means that Marvel Studios has reacquired the rights to the Fantastic Four and the X-Men. This has caused speculation as to when the mutant team of heroes will make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. Deadpool has been confirmed to be coming, but news on an X-Men title is still yet to be announced. Many fans will be expecting a blockbuster X-Men film to mark their debut in the MCU, but for a story so big which will introduce so many new characters, a film may not be long enough. With Disney+ allowing for longer forms of storytelling I argue that the X-Men should make their debut as a series rather than a movie.

Making an X-Men TV series may be controversial to fans, but would allow the MCU to introduce mutants and do them justice. One thing we have to remember is unlike the X-Men independent franchise, mutants have not been established in the MCU. Therefore there would have to be a good explanation for how they exist, which over 2 hours wouldn’t be enough time. Having a story over 6 hours can provide detailed origins for the characters while also focusing on the complex story of mutants.

Moreover, the 1990s X-Men animated series is one of the best superhero produced content there has ever been and that was a TV show. If the MCU follow a similar pattern to that classic show then they could be onto a win. The animated series had multiple layered stories which gave each character a purpose to the team. There was not one character that felt overlooked. If we compare this to X-Men movies and there has been numerous times that a character has felt underused and underappreciated, Quicksilver in X-Men: Dark Phoenix is a perfect example.

Introducing mutants will be a difficult task; there is no doubt about it, which is another reason why a longer form story would work best. Also, using a series rather than a movie for the X-Men group means that there doesn’t have to be every single mutant in the series. Stars like Wolverine would be deserving of their own movie, which means the series could focus on a smaller group, allowing for the group to be firmly established before bigger names are introduced.

Six X-Men would be a good number to begin with and could allow a starring role for characters like Cyclops and Storm whom have been overshadowed in the past. Other smaller mutants could be used in the team like Morph or Iceman and would give the team a fresh coat of paint. This would also separate the MCU version from the Fox franchise.

Having a smaller team would also make introducing the X-Men easier. There is still no indication as to whether mutants have existed throughout the MCU or if they will somehow be created. Either way rushing a team would take away from what the purpose of the X-Men is, to unite mutant and humans so they can live in peace. Introducing the likes of Wolverine, Mystique or Jean Grey at the start may take away from the fundamental story which needs to be established at the very beginning of the mutant journey into the MCU.

If I had to pitch the series, it would be the simple story of Professor X against Magneto. Yes, this has been done so many times before, but to understand mutants their conflict is the essential.

Kevin Fiege has announced that Deadpool 3 will be a part of the MCU and like this the MCU can introduce separate mutants in their own movies or shows. There are so many mutants that the possibilities are endless. The likes of Wolverine, Gambit and Rouge would all be fitting of their own separate story from the X-Men. They could even be introduced before the X-Men.

What I am trying to say is that 2 hours is not enough time to establish a group which has had its own franchise with 7 main story movies. If the MCU spread the introduction of characters around while the main X-Men is given a long form story then the characters being introduced will not feel rushed and won’t get lost in the shuffle.

Even in the MCU characters have felt lost. Avengers: Endgame had so many characters involved there was so many that didn’t get the time that they deserved. This is something that the X-Men need to avoid when being introduced. Giving every character a part to play in the stories is how the MCU should approach the X-Men. That is why a Disney+ series is the best option for the group. More time, a smaller cast and a complex story would be perfect for the mutant group to find its feet in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Fox

Marvel Studios

Marvel Comics

X-Men Animated Series