Is Jake Schreier the Right Choice To Direct MCU’s X-Men Reboot?
Published On: July 29th, 2025
Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier will helm the highly anticipated X-Men reboot, marking the mutants’ proper introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The announcement, made by Marvel president Kevin Feige during a press conference for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, positions Schreier as the creative force behind one of the most significant superhero properties in comic book history. But is he the right filmmaker for the job?
How Jake Schreier landed the X-Men gig
Schreier’s path to X-Men began with his work on Thunderbolts*, Marvel’s 2025 antihero team-up film. Despite a modest box office performance ($190.1 million domestic, $382.3 million worldwide), the film was praised for its emotional depth, character-driven storytelling, and Schreier’s ability to balance superhero spectacle with psychological complexity. Feige explicitly cited Schreier’s handling of “character interactions” and his “pulse on a younger demographic” as key reasons for his hiring, emphasizing that X-Men will be a “youth-focused reboot”.
Before Thunderbolts*, Schreier was best known for indie films like Robot & Frank (2012) and Paper Towns (2015), as well as directing episodes of Netflix’s Beef—which earned him an Emmy nomination—and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. His background in intimate character studies and tonal versatility seemingly made him an ideal candidate for X-Men, a franchise built on themes of identity, marginalization, and societal conflict.
Will Schreier succeed where others stumbled?
Schreier’s Thunderbolts* demonstrated his ability to weave mental health themes and internal conflict into a superhero narrative, a skill crucial for X-Men, where mutants’ struggles with acceptance mirror real-world issues. Feige has stressed that Schreier’s take will be “recognizably different” from Fox’s X-Men films, focusing on “youth and perspective” while embracing the comics’ scale and complexity.
Given Schreier’s work on Beef and Thunderbolts*, he appears well-suited to explore the interpersonal dynamics and ideological clashes that define the X-Men. His approach aligns with Feige’s vision of a fresh start, one that avoids retreading Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine-centric era.
However, Schreier’s filmography lacks a major commercial hit. Paper Towns was his highest-profit film ($85 million worldwide on a $12 million budget), yet it had a mixed critical response, while Thunderbolts*, despite strong reviews, underperformed financially. Some argue that Marvel’s declining box office momentum, post-Quantumania and The Marvels, played a role, but others question whether Schreier can deliver a global blockbuster.
Additionally, X-Men carries immense expectations. Unlike Thunderbolts*, which featured lesser-known characters, the mutants are a cultural phenomenon. If Schreier stumbles, it could further dent Marvel’s reputation. However, if he succeeds, like The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks like it has, the film could reignite the MCU’s dominance.
High risk, high reward
Schreier is an unconventional choice, but Marvel has a history of elevating indie directors (see: the Russo Brothers, Taika Waititi). His ability to merge emotional depth with superhero spectacle makes him a fascinating pick for X-Men, a franchise that thrives on nuance as much as action.
If Schreier can replicate Thunderbolts*’s critical success while delivering a box office win, X-Men could be his, and Marvel’s, next defining moment. But if the film falters, it may reinforce concerns about the MCU’s post-Endgame direction. One thing is certain: all eyes are now on Schreier to prove he can handle Marvel’s most challenging, and potentially rewarding, assignment yet.