‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Kicks Off the Mutant Era in the MCU: When Will We See the X-Men Next?”

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is the latest release in the MCU, marking the debut of both characters within the franchise. This film is also the first to officially recognize the X-Men as a legitimate team in the MCU.

While the MCU has hinted at mutants and included various references and Easter eggs related to the X-Men, it has never addressed the team as directly as it does in this installment.

Several mutants have already appeared in the mainline MCU, including Kamala Khan and Namor, who are expected to feature in future projects. There were also notable cameos by Professor X and Beast in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ and ‘The Marvels.’

Kevin Feige has emphasized that ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ plays a crucial role in ushering in the mutant era within the MCU. He remarked that this film marks the beginning of a new chapter for mutants and rated its impact on the future of the MCU as an 8 out of 10.

It’s just the beginning. I’ve said that mutants are coming, and it all starts with this movie. I can’t wait for people to see what [Deadpool & Wolverine] has in store and know that this is the beginning of mutants finally, finally arriving into the MCU.

When can we expect to see a surge of mutants in the MCU? Unfortunately, a standalone X-Men movie isn’t on the horizon just yet. The most likely scenario for seeing a major influx of mutants is through ‘Secret Wars.’ Recent rumors suggest that ‘Secret Wars’ will serve as a reset for the MCU, aligning with the comic storyline that inspired the name.

Post-reset, it seems that only mutants and the Fantastic Four will remain in the main MCU continuity. While we may not see much in the way of X-Men or mutants in upcoming projects, keep an eye out for references to incursions. Each mention brings mutants one step closer to joining the MCU.

Incursions are likely the key to introducing established mutant characters, as they would come from alternate universes—much like the Fantastic Four. This also helps explain why the X-Men haven’t appeared in battles against Thanos and other threats. Additionally, Kamala Khan is being positioned as a major player in the MCU, given her status as the most significant native mutant.

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