10 X-Men Stories That Need To Be In The MCU

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The X-Men are among the most popular and recognizable superhero teams ever created. While the Avengers have recently dominated the big screen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the X-Men are poised to have their moment. Now that Marvel Studios can again use these iconic mutant characters, fans are excited to see beloved comic book stories brought to life on screen.

Now that the original Avengers team is largely stepping back from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the franchise is searching for its next big story, it feels natural to shift the focus to the X-Men. There’s a wealth of exciting storylines and events from the comics that Marvel could adapt into future movies and shows.

The Brood Saga Could Bring Cosmic Horror To The MCU

Chris Claremont is widely considered one of the best writers to ever work on X-Men. One of his most notable contributions was introducing a terrifying new alien race to the Marvel Universe, pitting the X-Men against a deadly, insect-like species from another galaxy.

Like the aliens in Ridley Scott’s Alien, the Brood are among the scariest creatures ever featured in Marvel comics. Their terrifying method of implanting eggs inside hosts makes them a formidable enemy for even the powerful X-Men. A movie adaptation would be a great way to introduce a complex and frightening sci-fi element to the MCU’s X-Men stories.

House of M Could Tie The X-Men Into The Wider MCU

Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, is a powerful figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and her importance to future stories will likely increase. A great way to bring Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda into the world of mutants would be to adapt the famous “House of M” storyline, where the Scarlet Witch alters reality so that mutants become the most powerful group on Earth.

This storyline unites all of Marvel’s heroes as they try to fix the reality Wanda has altered. It ends with Wanda famously declaring, “No more mutants,” which could dramatically change things for mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have been hoping to see this happen with a live-action Wanda Maximoff for a long time.

Psi-War Could Be The Perfect Early-Days Xavier Tale

The story arc Psi-War in Uncanny X-Men #117 introduced fans to the wider world of mutant telepaths and featured the debut of the frightening villain, Shadow King. Considered one of the most terrifying foes the X-Men have ever faced, the original conflict between a young Charles Xavier and the Shadow King would make a great storyline for a live-action movie or series.

The Psi-War storyline is tailor-made for a live-action movie or series. It’s a visually stunning and incredibly imaginative science fiction story that would be perfect for the big screen. Adapting it would also allow a new X-Men series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feel distinct from the more realistic films that came before, and embrace the often wilder side of the comics.

Schism Would Be The X-Men’s Version of Civil War

Cyclops and Wolverine have clashed many times, but their conflict in Schism was their most intense yet – a defining moment for the mutant community, similar to the Civil War event. Schism marked the first time they fought each other physically, stemming from deep disagreements, and it permanently altered the landscape of mutantkind.

The event known as Schism divided the X-Men and marked a turning point for two key characters: Wolverine began a journey of personal growth and deeper thinking, while Cyclops became more rebellious and willing to take extreme measures. This led directly into the excellent, but often overlooked, Wolverine and the X-Men series. It would make a great way to end a phase of the X-Men’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire Would Be A Space-Based Epic

As a huge X-Men fan, I’m constantly recommending Ed Brubaker’s The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire, and it really frustrates me that it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Especially now that the X-Men are joining the MCU, this story feels more relevant than ever! What I loved most about it was seeing some of the lesser-known heroes, like Havok, Warpath, and Polaris, really get their moment to shine.

The Shi’ar are a hugely significant alien race in Marvel lore. It would be amazing to see their vast power and reach explored in upcoming X-Men movies or shows before telling the story of their eventual decline in a live-action adaptation of The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire. This could create a truly epic, large-scale story for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, similar in scope to Avengers: Endgame.

Uncanny X-Force Could Be An R-Rated Character-Focused Masterpiece

Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-Force is a strong contender for the best X-Men series of the last two decades. It focuses on a team of mutants who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, handling missions the regular X-Men wouldn’t. The series powerfully explores difficult themes like trauma, violence, and what’s right and wrong, all with surprising sensitivity.

This series truly showcases Wolverine’s potential, and surprisingly gives Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson, real emotional depth beyond just being funny. Uncanny X-Force is a brilliant example of superhero storytelling, and it would be an ideal source material if Marvel wants to fully explore the world of mutants in future movies or shows.

Cyclops’s Renegade Uncanny X-Men Would Be A Perfect Shake-Up After Schism

As a huge Marvel fan, I really think they could make Cyclops a total legend if they did his story right in the MCU. The previous attempt just didn’t capture who he is! I honestly believe he should be the leader and face of the X-Men in the movies. If they gave him the time to develop, I’d love to see them adapt the story Brian Michael Bendis wrote in Uncanny X-Men – it’s a perfect arc for him and would really make him shine.

With talk of a possible adaptation of the Schism storyline, Brian Michael Bendis’s run with Cyclops feels like a great fit. His controversial ideas about the future of mutants, and his status as a fugitive from the government, would be really compelling to see on screen. Plus, it would help establish the new X-Men films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as something distinct from previous versions.

New X-Men Could Be A Perfect Starting Point For The MCU’s Mutants

Grant Morrison revitalized the X-Men, making them Marvel’s most captivating team with the groundbreaking New X-Men series. Stories like E is for Extinction dramatically reshaped the landscape for mutants.

What makes New X-Men so memorable is its compelling team interactions, imaginative science fiction, and the way its characters grow and change. It would be an ideal source material for a new direction in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Considering the success of X-Men ’97 as an adaptation of Morrison’s work, it’s crucial that the live-action MCU handles New X-Men with care and accuracy.

House of X / Powers of X Could Be A Fantastic Late-Stage MCU X-Men Tale

Jonathan Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X wouldn’t have fit into the early stages of the X-Men’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it would be a great fit for their future. This storyline is one of the most ambitious and highly praised eras for the X-Men team.

When the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe start to feel predictable, adapting the House of X and Powers of X storylines would be a great way to revitalize them. These stories introduce complex themes of isolation, international politics, and moral gray areas, offering a fresh direction. A live-action adaptation could also learn from any issues that arose when these storylines were first introduced in the comics, creating a more polished and impactful experience.

Messiah Complex Is A Must For A Live-Action MCU X-Men Adaptation

Considered one of the greatest X-Men storylines, Messiah Complex unites the major groups from the X-Men comics in an all-out fight for the future of mutants. After the events of House of M, the mutant population has drastically decreased, bringing the species to the brink of extinction. Just when things seem hopeless, a baby named Hope is born, offering a glimmer of possibility.

The first baby born after ‘M-Day’ is seen as a symbol of hope for mutants, proving they won’t disappear because of Wanda Maximoff. ‘Messiah Complex’ is a thrilling fight for survival that could bring a satisfying conclusion to the story of mutant heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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2026-02-12 21:40