Rumor: Julia Butters as Kitty Pryde in the X-Men Reboot
Filming is scheduled to begin as soon as next year
As we all know, Marvel's multiverse saga will culminate in the blockbusters "Avengers 5: Doomsday" and "Avengers 6: Secret Wars". After that, we can look forward to the beginning of the so-called mutant saga with the "X-Men" reboot. Initial rumors now point to the casting of "The Fabelmans" actress Julia Butters as Kitty Pryde.
She is a mutant with the ability to move through solid matter. In the previous "X-Men" films, she was portrayed by Elliot Page. According to Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, "Stranger Things" star Sadie Sink as Jean Grey and Harris Dickinson as Cyclops are also on Marvel's shortlist.
Filming on the as yet untitled new "X-Men" movie is apparently set to begin next year, with potential release dates of July 23, 2027 and November 5, 2027. This would mean that the film would be released shortly after "Avengers 6: Secret Wars" and thus kick off a new MCU era. It remains to be seen if and when Marvel will make the first official confirmations regarding the cast and production.
The Previous "X-Men" Movies at a Glance
The "X-Men" film series, based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, has significantly shaped the superhero genre since its debut in 2000. Until 2020, the films were produced by 20th Century Fox before the rights were transferred to Disney. We have put together a short overview for you here:
The Origins of the Film Series
The first movie, "X-Men" (2000), directed by Bryan Singer, introduced audiences to a world in which mutants with supernatural abilities exist and are often subject to discrimination. At the center are two opposing characters: Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who advocates peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants, and Magneto (Ian McKellen), who takes a more radical approach. The film was a commercial success and paved the way for numerous sequels.
The Original Trilogy
The success of the first movie was followed by "X2" (2003), also directed by Bryan Singer. In this part, the X-Men have to take on Colonel William Stryker, who is planning an attack on the mutants. The film deepened the characters' backstories and was praised for its complex plot.
"X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006), directed by Brett Ratner, concluded the original trilogy. The plot revolves around the discovery of a "cure" for mutations and the resulting ethical dilemmas. The movie received mixed reviews but was commercially successful.
Spin-Offs and Prequels
2009 saw the release of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", which sheds light on the back story of Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Although the movie was financially successful, it was criticized for its plot and the portrayal of certain characters.
"X-Men: First Class" (2011), directed by Matthew Vaughn, served as a prequel and was set in the 1960s. The movie depicts the young versions of Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr/Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and their initial friendship. The movie was praised for its fresh approach and acting performances.
Time Travel and Alternate Timelines
"X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014) combined the casts of the original trilogy and the prequel. Through time travel, Wolverine tries to prevent a dystopian future scenario. The film was praised for its ambitious plot and the successful linking of the different timelines.
"X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016) introduced the ancient mutant Apocalypse as an antagonist. Although the movie was visually impressive, it received mixed reviews regarding its plot and character development.
Individual Stories and Conclusions
"Logan" (2017), directed by James Mangold, presented an aged Wolverine in a bleak future. The film was highly praised for its profound plot and the acting performances of Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart and is considered a worthy conclusion to the Wolverine saga.
"X-Men: Dark Phoenix" (2019) attempted to reinterpret the famous "Dark Phoenix" saga from the comics. However, the film received predominantly negative reviews and was less successful commercially.
The "Deadpool" Films and Other Spin-Offs
The "Deadpool" films (2016 and 2018), starring Ryan Reynolds, brought a humorous and self-referential touch to the franchise. Both movies were both critically and commercially successful and were praised for their unconventional approach.
"The New Mutants" (2020) attempted to expand the genre with horror elements, but failed to win over critics or audiences.
