With the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the verge of releasing its own version of the X-Men, the hype is naturally off the scale. It is the first time that Marvel Studios will have the complete creative freedom to use the legendary mutant group.
The excitement is not surprising as the team introduces iconic characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, and Angel into the MCU, along with Professor Charles Xavier.
Marvel’s X-Men Can Finally Shine If Wolverine Doesn’t Lead The Story
There have even been rumors that Sadie Sink might portray Jean Grey in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. This would mark the first major mutant character to be developed directly in the MCU. Should that occur, it would be the beginning of a new direction for the X-Men on screen. One that is more about younger heroes discovering their place in the world.
Related: Marvel Might Be Setting Up A Perfect Trailer Moment For ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
And if that happens, Marvel may be tempted to withstand the urge to thrust another Wolverine into the limelight. The decision to cast Sadie Sink as Jean Grey implies that the MCU’s X-Men team may be young. That would be a reflection of numerous traditional comic and animated versions.
A younger cast would also assist the franchise in creating long-term narrative lines. Characters like Cyclops and Jean Grey tend to become leaders. But that development takes several movies and is extremely gratifying to viewers. However, this direction raises an interesting question: where would Wolverine fit into such a team?
Conventionally, Wolverine is depicted as being older than the other X-Men, and he appears like a rough man in his forties, even though he is much older because of his ability to heal. That contrast has always been one of the attractions of the character. However, it also makes him seem like a very different presence in a younger team.
MCU Could Benefit From Giving Chance To Other Mutants First
Hugh Jackman has played a key role in making Wolverine the face of the X-Men film franchise over the last 20 years. From the original X-Men to Logan, the character was frequently the emotional focus. Although those performances were popular, the excessive attention to Wolverine occasionally made other X-Men feel like they needed their time in the limelight.
In case you missed it: Timothée Chalamet Might Become Marvel’s Next Gambit After Channing Tatum
Characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm often featured in the story as supporting characters rather than being the main focus. This is why MCU may want to do things differently this time. Giving the core X-Men a chance to settle down initially would allow viewers to associate with the whole team and not just one iconic character.
Wolverine will inevitably become a part of the MCU’s mutant saga sooner or later; he is too significant to be left out forever. However, when Marvel waits and brings him out later, the X-Men would finally have a chance to feel like a real ensemble rather than a one-hero story.
You might like to read: 10 Marvel Movies That Failed To Capture The Magic Of Original Comics
