Kevin Feige Announces ‘Mutant Era’ Coming to the MCU

Since Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, fans have eagerly awaited the arrival of the X-Men and other mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The initial steps have been taken, and according to Kevin Feige, these developments will further expand the MCU following the release of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The Marvel Studios president spoke at a press conference after a preview screening of Deadpool and Wolverine, which also featured director Shawn Levy and stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, and Matthew Macfadyen. During this event, Feige suggested that it won’t be long before more mutants appear in the MCU, as Marvel Studios plans to introduce additional characters in upcoming films, based on information from The Playlist.

Feige remarked, “Also, the ‘after’ is clearly—now that we have characters from the ‘X-Men’ world, the Mutants—we haven’t had access to before. So, this is the beginning of that, and every [movie] post ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will be the Mutant era coming into the MCU.”

While mutants are confirmed to exist in the MCU, their presence has been minimal up to the release of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The first mention of mutants was at the end of the Disney Plus series Ms. Marvel, where it was revealed that the MCU’s version of Kamala Khan is actually a mutant, and her abilities were seemingly triggered by her bangle. This differs from the comics, where Khan is an Inhuman due to her powers being triggered by Terrigen Mists.

Professor Xavier was the next mutant to appear in the MCU, during Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, this version of Xavier was from an alternate universe, part of the Illuminati, and ultimately perished at the hands of Scarlet Witch during her quest for America Chavez.

The last mention of mutants before Deadpool and Wolverine’s release came in one of The Marvels’ post-credit scenes. In it, Monica Rambeau is shown in an alternate universe after closing a breach caused by Dar-Benn. She is recovering from this strain and is welcomed by Binary, an alternate version of her mother Maria Rambeau, and Dr. Hank McCoy, aka Beast, in a setting reminiscent of the X-Men’s universe from the 20th Century Fox series.

Deadpool and Wolverine will signify the most significant addition of mutants to the MCU to date, extending beyond the film’s main heroes. Confirmed appearances include Sabretooth, Toad, Cassandra Nova, Pyro, and X-23, with rumors suggesting possible cameos by Lady Deathstrike, Azazel, and Callisto. Given the film’s synopsis hints at “rewriting the MCU’s history,” this major influx of mutants would be a substantial change moving forward.

Deadpool and Wolverine is set to release in theaters on July 26, 2024.

Source: ClutchPoints, The Playlist