After nearly 20 years of waiting, the X-Men are finally bringing a new team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It's natural to assume that this new team will include a Wolverine, but here's why the X-Men should debut in the MCU without the face of their franchise.
The original Foxmen are making a comeback in 'Avengers Doomsday'. Expect to see legacy characters like Kelsey Grammar as Beast, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Jimmy Marsden as Cyclops, Channing Tatum as Gambit, and of course, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen returning as Professor X and Magneto, respectively. These characters are expected to appear in 'Doomsday' and probably also in 'Secret Wars'. Meanwhile, the animated series 'X-Men 97' is releasing annually on Disney Plus.
Beyond these projects, Jake Shrier, the director of 'Thunderbolts', has signed on to create a new X-Men movie in the MCU, marking the beginning of a new foundation for the mutant team.
On Wolverine's side, Hugh Jackman, who has played Wolverine for 25 years, returned in 'Deadpool'. Although not confirmed, there's a high chance of him appearing in 'Avengers Doomsday' and 'Secret Wars'. Insomniac is also releasing a Wolverine game for PS5, similar to their Spider-Man games, expanding Wolverine's reach beyond film.
Wolverine’s continuous presence could overshadow new developments. Hugh Jackman's portrayal is iconic, much like Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man or Heath Ledger’s Joker. Introducing a new Wolverine immediately might not allow space for the character to breathe and establish new dynamics.
Instead, this period should focus on other X-Men members who haven't been fully explored in live-action films, particularly Cyclops and Storm. Comics fans appreciate many mutants who deserve the spotlight before Wolverine, like Kitty Pryde or Kamala Khan. Wolverine wasn’t an original team member in the comics, joining later alongside others like Storm and Colossus.
Disney Plus and 'X-Men 97' portray Wolverine as one of many team members, which could be a refreshing approach for the MCU. Delaying Wolverine's introduction creates anticipation and might enrich his eventual emergence, allowing a dramatic, impactful arrival akin to Spider-Man in 'Civil War'.
The MCU has succeeded with patience and payoff, reviving its strengths from its golden days. Wolverine's story can stand alone, allowing X-Men stories to thrive independently initially. Once both are developed, their union can be an epic crossover, appealing to audiences and creating synergy in the MCU’s narrative universe.