Marvel’s X-Men Movie Picks Up Speed with New Writer
Michael Lesslie, known for The Little Drummer Girl and The Hunger Games prequel, is set to pen the script
Marvel Studios’ X-Men movie is making strides as it secures a writer. Michael Lesslie, recognized for his work on the series *The Little Drummer Girl* and the recent prequel feature *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes*, is in talks to write the new film centered on Marvel Comics’ iconic mutant team, *The Hollywood Reporter* has confirmed. As of now, the film does not have a set release date or a director attached.
X-Men remains a beloved property for Disney, especially following the recent success of the well-reviewed Disney+ animated series *X-Men ’97*. This show is a reboot of the cherished *X-Men: The Animated Series*, which first aired in 1992.
The X-Men team first appeared in comics in 1963, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Their first feature film debuted in 2000 with 20th Century Fox’s *X-Men*, directed by Bryan Singer. This was followed by two sequels, and a reboot in 2011 with the prequel film *X-Men: First Class*, directed by Matthew Vaughn. The rebooted series saw three more sequels, the latest being 2019’s *Dark Phoenix*.
The X-Men are among the characters now available to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to Disney’s acquisition of Fox. This list also includes the Marvel team *Fantastic Four*, with a new movie scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Hugh Jackman, who originated the role of Wolverine in the 2000 film, will return as the gruff mutant alongside Ryan Reynolds in *Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine*, set to hit theaters on July 26. Jackman has also portrayed Wolverine in a trio of stand-alone films, concluding with the highly acclaimed *Logan* in 2017, directed by James Mangold.
*Deadline* was the first to report on Lesslie’s involvement in the new X-Men project.
