Official: "Thunderbolts" director to direct the new X-Men film
Marvel also announced four new films for 2028
After some speculation, everything is now in the bag! After his acclaimed "Thunderbolts", director Jake Schreier is now set to direct the new "X-Men" film!
This was announced by Marvel itself and confirmed to several industry magazines such as Variety. Following the conclusion of the "Multiverse Saga", Marvel is apparently planning a new start in terms of content – with the X-Men at the center. A few months ago, it was confirmed that a number of classic X-Men actors such as Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart would be returning for "Avengers: Doomsday".
Marvel also announced that four new films in the superhero franchise will be released in 2028. In addition to the as yet untitled "X-Men" project, the possible candidates include "Blade", "Black Panther 3" and a sequel to the upcoming "Fantastic Four".
The announcement comes at a time when Marvel's future is being reassessed. Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted at an investor conference in May 2025 that Marvel had "lost a bit of focus" in recent years. The reason: an excessive production density, particularly for the Disney+ streaming service.
"We all know that in our zeal to flood our streaming platform with more content, that we turned to all of our creative engines, including Marvel, and had them produce a lot more. We've also learned over time that quantity does not necessarily beget quality."
Whether Marvel will actually release four films in 2028 remains questionable – especially if the criticism from fans is to be taken to heart.
Jake Schreier: The quiet visionary behind Marvel's new projects
Jake Schreier may not be the loudest name in Hollywood, but his cinematic flair and sense of emotional depth make him one of the most exciting directors of his generation. Schreier has been the talk of the town ever since he was hired by Marvel Studios – especially in connection with the upcoming mutant film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) , which is expected to kick off a new era in the franchise. But before Schreier entered the world of superheroes, he had already established himself in the industry with a small but impressive catalog of work.
Early career: Indie roots with feeling
Jake Schreier was born in Berkeley, California, in 1981 and began his career in the independent sector. After graduating from the Tisch School of the Arts in New York, he founded the production company "The Directors Bureau" and initially made a name for himself with music videos. In 2012, he made his feature film debut with "Robot & Frank" – a touching sci-fi comedy about an ageing thief (played by Frank Langella) who forms an unusual friendship with a care robot.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was praised by critics for its calm mise-en-scène and intelligent use of technology and age. Schreier already showed here that he is able to combine emotional stories with futuristic ideas – a talent that would later prove decisive for his career in blockbuster cinema.
"Paper Towns" and the leap into mainstream cinema
In 2015, Schreier made "Paper Towns", an adaptation of the young adult novel of the same name by bestselling author John Green. The film combined coming-of-age elements with a slightly mysterious love story and was a moderate success with teenagers. Although "Paper Towns" fell short of the box office results of Green's previous film adaptation "The Fault in Our Stars", Schreier once again proved to have a fine feel for characters and emotional nuances.
Series success with "Beef": an outburst of anger becomes cult
Schreier reached a real career milestone in 2023 when he directed the acclaimed Netflix series "Beef". The dramedy starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong tells the story of two people whose lives descend into a chaotic spiral of revenge, anger and existential crises after a trivial traffic dispute.
Schreier directed several episodes and played a decisive role in shaping the dark yet comic tone of the series. "Beef" was critically acclaimed, won several Emmy Awards and proved that Schreier is a true storyteller not only in cinema but also in series format – one who masterfully combines depth and timing. In the series sector, he also worked on the "Star Wars" series "Skeleton Crew".
Marvel's "Thunderbolts*": a risky venture
Jake Schreier made his biggest career leap to date in 2022 when Marvel Studios hired him to direct the film "Thunderbolts". The project was to be part of the fifth phase of the MCU and focus on an antihero group – consisting of characters such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, John Walker and Red Guardian.
Thunderbolts was an unusual project right from the start: instead of classic superheroes, the focus was on broken characters and moral gray areas. This fitted in perfectly with Schreier's previous work, in which he always sought the human in the abysmal. Although the blockbuster was largely well received by fans and critics, it was not a huge success at the box office.
Conclusion: The right man at the right time
Jake Schreier is exemplary of a new generation of directors who see blockbusters not just as showpieces, but as a stage for human stories. With his work on "Thunderbolts" and the upcoming "X-Men" film, he has the chance to give the MCU a new emotional core – especially now that the franchise is trying to find itself again after years of expansion. Schreier is not a director of loud tones – but perhaps that is precisely why he is the one Marvel needs right now.
