Spider-Man: Brand New Day is dominating the box office, and if that wasn't evidence enough that the Marvel Cinematic Universe still has what it takes to keep chugging along, I think what it set the stage for does. The X-Men get set up for the future in a big way at the end of this movie, and while not everyone is a fan of that, the audience I saw the movie with was hype.
I guess not everyone was hip to the rumors that Sadie Sink's mysterious villain was actually one of the founding mutants, and people in my theater were audibly shook by the revelation on opening weekend. It has me positive that the MCU is back on track, and after Avengers: Doomsday, we're only going to see more bangers from Marvel Studios as the years drag on.
Jean Grey Getting A Gasp-Worthy Reaction From A Full Theater Has Me Positive The MCU Is Back
Back when Famke Janssen was playing Jean Grey, I was a kid with my dad explaining to me who she was in the comics and why she was so important. 26 years later, the collective gasp in my packed theater for Spider-Man: Brand New Day told me that you no longer need to be a comic book fan to recognize one of the X-Men's most powerful psychics, especially considering there wasn't any other reference to mutants or other iconic imagery from the franchise.
Based on Jean's role and how the movie ends, it feels clear the X-Men are not an established team in the MCU. It stands to reason we're going to meet some more mutants in the coming years, and if people are that psyched for Jean Grey, imagine how they'll be when they meet the new Cyclops, Storm, or Wolverine.
Marvel Studios Rebooting The X-Men Can Definitely Carry The MCU For Another Decade
If Marvel Studios has plans to slowly introduce the X-Men and make them a team, then I think we have a good while before Marvel fatigue strikes a mainstream audience again. Kevin Feige confirmed plans were in place for Marvel to reboot the superhero team for the MCU, and I think the studio is going about it in the best way possible.
Starting at the very origin of X-Men is the right call and allows us to be reintroduced to a new cast to invest in and bring a new generation into the story of the Mutants. Whether we'll get a more traditional comic book origin story, a new twist, or one of the alternate tellings has me excited.
As comic book readers know, there are so many mutants beyond Wolverine that could have their own standalone film series. There's so much potential with that, especially at a time where it feels like the verdict is still out on how much we all like the new Avengers lineup. If the Mutants end up being the torchbearers of the next era of the MCU, I won't be mad.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently in theaters and continuing to make wheelbarrows of cash. It has me wondering just how long we'll have to wait for another movie, and when we can expect to see Sadie Sink's Jean Grey again.
