X-Men ‘97 has left fans more excited than ever before to see a live-action take on the mutant team. Movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels have offered a glimpse of what the heroes could look like in the MCU, with Deadpool & Wolverine set to do the same later this summer.
The difference there, though, is that those are the 20th Century Fox Variants of the X-Men; what Marvel Studios does with its long-awaited reboot will surely be completely different. And, if X-Men ‘97 is any indication, we’re in store for something truly special (the series has been praised for its compelling take on the heroes and the way their powers have been portrayed in new and visually distinct ways).
Now, with the San Diego Comic-Con and D23 fast approaching, Deadline has confirmed that The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes writer Michael Lesslie is in talks to write the X-Men reboot. They later say he's "officially boarding" the project, meaning the movie has its writer.
No director or cast members are attached and the movie remains undated.
Before getting too caught up in what Lesslie's involvement means for X-Men, one need only look at how many writers have worked on The Fantastic Four. That alone suggests others may eventually contribute to the final draft of the screenplay (as is so often the Marvel Studios way).
X-Men became an immediate priority for Kevin Feige after last year’s writers strike, but he and other executives have taken their time and met with numerous candidates. The decision to go with Lesslie was reportedly made late last week. Next, Marvel Studios will begin searching for a director. Black Panther's Ryan Coogler remains the rumoured frontrunner.
Lesslie’s other credits include the original, reportedly much better, Assassin’s Creed script, Macbeth, and The Little Drummer Girl. He’s also attached to the next instalment in the Now You See Me franchise.
While we don’t want to make too many assumptions, the fact Lesslie did such a great job writing a young, diverse cast in The Hunger Games prequel seems to suggest the X-Men reboot will focus on the mutants as teens.
"The X-Men are as solid and as rich and as a great a concept in characters as exist," Feige said in his latest update about plans for the team last November. "There's the return of the animated series next year, which we're very excited about. I saw some new final episodes today, which really bring you back to that core of who the X-Men are and that soap opera that those characters represent."
"And then in live-action, people will see," he continued. "Perhaps soon."
Stay tuned for updates on X-Men as we have them.