12 Most Important X-Men For The MCU To Introduce, Ranked

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Summary

Marvel Studios is moving ahead with an X-Men reboot, introducing some of the most crucial and powerful heroes into the MCU.
Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, Gambit, Rogue, Iceman, Storm, Mystique, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X are all key characters that could be included in the MCU's X-Men team.
The MCU has the opportunity to do justice to these characters, exploring their unique abilities, backstories, and relationships, and connecting them with other established MCU heroes and storylines.

Marvel Studios will surely introduce some of the most important X-Men characters from Marvel Comics into the MCU. Following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige teased the introduction of mutants into the MCU, yet this process has, so far, been incredibly slow. Phase 4 debuted Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel and Namor as mutants, as well as featuring a variant of Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but there has been no sign of the MCU's official X-Men team. This is soon set to change, however, as recent developments prove Marvel Studios is moving ahead with an MCU X-Men reboot.
While it's unclear which mutant characters from Marvel Comics will be comprising the MCU's first X-Men team, Marvel Studios will surely introduce some of the most crucial and powerful heroes into their live-action franchise. Fox's X-Men franchise showcased several notable mutants but often neglected some of its most prominent characters. While 2024's Deadpool 3 is expected to briefly revisit Fox's X-Men franchise, Marvel Studios has the opportunity to start over in the MCU, breathing new life into heroes who had previously been ignored. Since Marvel Studios will reportedly start vetting writers for an X-Men movie soon, it won't be too long before the MCU is inhabited by powerful mutant superheroes.
12 Kitty Pryde, A.K.A. Shadowcat Last Seen In X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Kitty Pryde might not seem like one of the most important X-Men characters that Marvel Studios could introduce to the MCU, but her connection to other heroes who have already had adventures in the MCU make her key to establishing mutants. Kitty was portrayed by Elliot Page in Fox's X-Men franchise but wasn't given much to do aside from her ability to thrust Wolverine's consciousness back in time in Days of Future Past. Marvel Studios can flesh out Kitty Pryde much further, potentially even bringing her together with her Marvel Comics husband, Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, particularly since he is now on Earth after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
11 Emma Frost Last Seen In X-Men: First Class

Emma Frost was one of the most neglected mutant characters in Fox's X-Men franchise, despite being one of Marvel Comics' most powerful femme fatales. Previously portrayed by Tahyna Tozzi in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and January Jones in X-Men: First Class, Emma Frost was sidelined for more notable characters, but Marvel Studios has the opportunity to show off her strength in the MCU. Her telepathic ability that rivals Professor X's, and her backstory as a member of the Hellfire Club sets her up to a powerful villain in the MCU. She has evolved over the years from supervillain to superhero, and this transformation would be great to explore in live-action.
10 Remy LeBeau, A.K.A. Gambit Last Seen In X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Aside from a brief stint in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch, Gambit was never brought into Fox's X-Men franchise. Remy LaBeau is a crucial member of the X-Men team and is involved in some of the team's more emotional stories, such as uncovering his connection to supervillain Mister Sinister, and examining his on-again, off-again relationship with Rogue. Hailing from New Orleans, Gambit's Cajun heritage would be great to explore in the MCU, as he could open the door for an entirely new culture to be introduced into Marvel Studios' franchise.
Channing Tatum was long-attached to a Gambit solo movie, but the film never made it to production.
9 Anne Marie, A.K.A. Rogue Last Seen In X-Men: Days Of Future Past Close Anna Paquin's Rogue in Fox's X-Men franchise was key to the initial trilogy, yet not much of her story was explored aside from her hatred of her ability. Fox also neglected to develop Rogue from villain to hero, as she was recruited into the Brotherhood of Mutants in Marvel Comics before joining the X-Men. Not only could her tumultuous romance with Gambit be adapted for the MCU, but Rogue's debut could also connect to Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, a.k.a. Captain Marvel, as she absorbs Danvers' psyche and powers in Marvel Comics. This gives Rogue a solid foot in the door of the MCU, so her introduction could happen soon.
8 Bobby Drake, A.K.A. Iceman Last Seen In X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Similarly to Rogue, Shawn Ashmore's Bobby Drake, a.k.a. Iceman, didn't have much to do in Fox's X-Men franchise aside from showing off his ice-based abilities. In Marvel Comics, Iceman was revealed to be a member of the LGBT+ community in a 2015 storyline, so his debut in the MCU could make for some brilliant representation on the big screen. As well as being a core member of the X-Men, Bobby Drake has also been featured in many Spider-Man storylines in Marvel Comics, and this unorthodox partnership would be great to explore in the MCU, particularly since Peter Parker's future in the MCU is unclear after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
7 Ororo Monroe, A.K.A. Storm Last Seen In X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Storm was perhaps one of the most wasted heroes in Fox's X-Men franchise, despite Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp's best efforts, as she was severely limited compared to her Marvel Comics counterpart, who is practically a goddess. Storm was the first major female superhero of African descent in any American comic book, and is one of Marvel Comics' most significant and powerful characters. Her marriage to T'Challa's Black Panther and life in Wakanda in Marvel Comics gives her a strong connection to the MCU already, and her experience as a leader among the X-Men makes Storm's debut in the MCU inevitable - and hopefully, she will finally be done justice.
6 Raven Darkhölme, A.K.A. Mystique Last Seen In X-Men: Dark Phoenix Close Mystique is perhaps one of the most complex mutant characters in Marvel Comics, being depicted both as a supervillain and antihero and also as the mother of other characters, including the teleporter Nightcrawler, the villain Graydon Creed, and Rogue through adoption. Despite being a huge part of most of the stories in Fox's X-Men franchise, where she was portrayed by Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence, Mystique never got the chance to delve into her more emotional and impactful storylines, such as her breakdown following Graydon's death. The MCU would be the perfect place for Mystique's more touching and relatable moments to be investigated in much more detail.
5 Jean Grey Last Seen In X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Jean Grey was the subject of two failed attempts to adapt Marvel Comics' epic Dark Phoenix Saga into live-action in Fox's X-Men franchise, first with Famke Janssen in the role, and later with Sophie Turner. Although it will likely be several years before Marvel Studios attempts to revisit her biggest storyline, Jean Grey must still be introduced to the MCU, as she needs redemption more than most other mutants. Jean Grey is regarded as one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, and is at the heart of some of the most emotional moments in the X-Men's history, so she deserves a place on the MCU's X-Men team.
4 Scott Summers, A.K.A. Cyclops Last Seen In X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Despite being depicted as the leader of the X-Men and the archetypal American hero in Marvel Comics, Scott Summers' Cyclops was completely fumbled in Fox's X-Men franchise. Marvel Studios needs to debut Cyclops in the MCU to redeem the character and finally give him the strength and presence he displays on the page. X-Men: The Last Stand killed off James Marsden's Cyclops far too early, and Tye Sheridan's iteration never really grabbed audiences, so the MCU's version can finally do the character justice. Marvel Studios can explore Cyclops' romantic history, familial backstory, and high-level role in the mutant nation of Krakoa, giving him much more action than his Fox counterpart.
3 James "Logan" Howlett, A.K.A. Wolverine Last Seen In Logan
Close Wolverine was one of the most developed characters in Fox's X-Men franchise, with Hugh Jackman portraying him in nine projects spanning 17 years before making his return in 2024's Deadpool 3. Wolverine is one of Marvel Comics' most pivotal mutants, depicted as an antihero with connections to many superhero teams prior to joining the X-Men, as his healing ability means he ages very slowly. This rich backstory links him to MCU heroes including the Hulk, Captain America, and Nick Fury, among others, which can be established in the MCU. Though Jackman is returning for Deadpool 3, a new actor will become the MCU's official Wolverine in an undisclosed future project.
2 Erik Lehnsherr, A.K.A. Magneto Last Seen In X-Men: Dark Phoenix Close Originally introduced as a villain for the X-Men, Magneto's powerful backstory and character development over the years has seen him become more relatable and understandable. Magneto is one of the most layered characters in Marvel Comics, and his important backstory with ties to real historical events, including the Holocaust, make him crucial to developing the world of the MCU and introducing some strong representation. Although Magneto fights for mutant civil rights, he does so aggressively, which constantly brings him to odds with Professor X, and this relationship would be brilliant to explore in the MCU, after Fox did a relatively good job with both Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender's iterations.
1 Charles Xavier, A.K.A. Professor X Last Seen In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Close It will be difficult for Marvel Studios to tell any X-Men story without introducing the founder of the team himself, Charles Xavier's Professor X. Xavier is a scientific genius, a leading figure in the field of genetics, and one of the world's most powerful telepaths. In a way, Professor X has already been introduced to the MCU, as Patrick Stewart appeared as a variant of his Fox character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but it's unclear who will portray the MCU's official Professor X. Nevertheless, Xavier must be included in the MCU, as his debut will allow every subsequent X-Men storyline to unfold.
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