For Marvel fans, when Disney and 20th Century complete their merger deal at the start of 2019, it opens some exciting possibilities for the MCU and X-Men franchises (including Deadpool). The idea of characters such as Professor X and Bruce Banner sharing the screen as one big happy Marvel family is many comic book followers' dream.
It's then no surprise that when upcoming X-Men film Dark Phoenix was pushed to be released this summer, right after Avengers: Endgame, many speculated the film could be setting up a beautiful friendship between the mutants and the Avengers.
During a panel for Dark Phoenix at Brazil Comic Con (CCXP), signs didn't point to the MCU playing a part in the film, but writer/director Simon Kinberg did confirm that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige did review the script and the tone of the film.
Details via ComicBook.com say Dark Phoenix will not be part of the MCU, which makes sense. There's a lot packed into the film, which could wrap up a seven film franchise. For 18 years, Fox has been exploring the X-Men, with some mistakes they hope to right the wrongs for (cough X-Men: The Last Stand) in the upcoming installment Dark Phoenix.
Kevin Feige reviewing the script could mean some note-taking on Marvel Studios' part to plan how they could potentially further the main X-Men property in the future. Dark Phoenix is sure to end with a bang that will not only affect the mutants in the film but also the expanded universe. So a little collaboration with the MCU boss could be the perfect first step for the potential partnership.
The film will follow the X-Men team in the '90s, as Jean Grey struggles with incredible powers forced onto her during a mission in space. Those powers start to corrupt her into the "Dark Phoenix." Professor X and his band of young mutant heroes must face their friend's monstrous power in what could be the epic conclusion to the franchise.
When Kevin Feige had last been approached about his plans for the X-Men in the MCU, he said he was focusing on the Marvel projects coming out in the near future -- including Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home, and the other MCU films already in development -- before moving on to anything else. However, the Russo Brothers -- who directed both Avengers: Infinity War and the upcoming Avengers: Endgame -- recently said that they have no doubt that the X-Men will soon join the MCU.
It could take some time before a genuine crossover between the two separate universes collide. Fox's side still has some spinoffs in the works, including X-Force, New Mutants, and Gambit. And who knows, one of them could spark the beginning of a larger MCU? Dark Phoenix comes to theaters on June 7, 2019.
