During a recent event, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared new insights into the future of the MCU, also known as Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige revealed that following the release of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, the MCU will undergo a significant structural shift, a reset that will redefine its timeline and characters.
This new era will begin with the upcoming X-Men film, directed by Jake Schreier, known for his work on the fan-favorite Thunderbolts (New Avengers). Set for a 2026 release, Avengers: Doomsday will see the return of legendary actors from the original X-Men franchise, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Kelsey Grammer. However, after Secret Wars, these characters will be recast as part of the broader reset.
Kevin Feige likened the transition to the Secret Wars comic series published between 2015 and 2016, where intersecting timelines collapse into one unified continuity. Still, he was clear that this shift should not be labeled a “reboot.”
“We’re utilizing that [story] not just to round out the stories we’ve been telling post-‘Endgame,’ just as importantly — and you can look at the at the ‘Secret Wars’ comics for where that takes you — it very, very much sets us up for the future,” said Feige. “‘Endgame,’ literally, was about endings. ‘Secret Wars’ is about beginnings.”
Feige went on to say that the X-Men will play a crucial role in shaping the MCU’s future, which will define where the franchise will go next. Just like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, the characters will eventually be reimagined with new actors and actresses.
Kevin Feige also compared the MCU’s evolution to other long-running franchises:
“Amy Pascal and David Heyman are now searching for a new James Bond,” Feige commented on Amazon MGM’s upcoming Bond film. “David [Corenswet], the new Superman — he was awesome. That will always be the case.”
In addition, Feige confirmed exciting news for fans of Deadpool & Wolverine, one of 2024’s biggest box office hits. He revealed that a sequel is already in development, with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman set to return for another round of action and fun.
