Official: "Thunderbolts" Director to Direct the New X-Men Film
Marvel also announced four new films for 2028
After much speculation, everything is now settled! Following his acclaimed work on "Thunderbolts", director Jake Schreier is set to direct the first "X-Men" film in the MCU!
This was announced by Marvel and confirmed to several industry magazines such as Variety. After concluding the "Multiverse Saga", Marvel is apparently planning a fresh start in terms of content – with the X-Men at the center. A few months ago, it was already confirmed that a number of classic X-Men actors, such as Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, will return for "Avengers: Doomsday".
Marvel further announced that four new movies in the superhero franchise will be released in 2028. In addition to the as yet untitled "X-Men" project, possible candidates include "Blade", "Black Panther 3" and a sequel to the upcoming "The Fantastic Four".
The announcement comes at a time when Marvel's future is being reassessed. Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted at an investor call in May 2025 that Marvel had "lost a little focus" in recent years. The reason: excessive production density, particularly for the Disney+ streaming service.
"We all know that in our zeal to flood our streaming platform with more content, that we turned to all of our creative engines, including Marvel, and had them produce a lot more. We've also learned over time that quantity does not necessarily beget quality. By consolidating a bit and having Marvel focus much more on their films, we believe that will result in better quality."
Whether Marvel will actually release four movies in 2028 remains uncertain – especially if they intend to take the fans' criticism to heart.
Jake Schreier: The Quiet Visionary Behind Marvel's New Projects
Jake Schreier may not be the most high-profile name in Hollywood, but his cinematic instinct and sense for emotional depth make him one of the most exciting directors of his generation. Since being hired by Marvel Studios, Schreier has become a hot topic – especially in connection with the upcoming mutant film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is expected to kick off a new era for the franchise. But before Schreier entered the world of superheroes, he had already established himself in the industry with a small but impressive body of work.
Early Career: Indie Roots with Feeling
Jake Schreier was born in Berkeley, California, in 1981 and began his career in the independent sector. After graduating from the Tisch School of the Arts in New York, he founded the production company "The Directors Bureau" and initially made a name for himself with music videos. In 2012, he made his feature film debut with "Robot & Frank" – a touching sci-fi comedy about an ageing thief (played by Frank Langella) who forms an unusual friendship with a care robot.
The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was praised by critics for its calm mise-en-scène and intelligent use of technology and age. Schreier already showed here that he is able to combine emotional stories with futuristic ideas – a talent that would later prove decisive for his career in blockbuster cinema.
"Paper Towns" and the Leap Into Mainstream Cinema
In 2015, Schreier made "Paper Towns", an adaptation of the young adult novel of the same name by bestselling author John Green. The movie combined coming-of-age elements with a slightly mysterious love story and was a moderate success with teenagers. Although "Paper Towns" fell short of the box office results of Green's previous film adaptation "The Fault in Our Stars", Schreier once again proved to have a fine feel for characters and emotional nuances.
Series Success with "Beef": An Outburst of Rage Becomes Cult
Schreier reached a real career milestone in 2023 when he directed the acclaimed Netflix series "Beef". The dramedy starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong tells the story of two people whose lives descend into a chaotic spiral of revenge, anger and existential crises after a trivial traffic dispute.
Schreier directed several episodes and played a decisive role in shaping the dark yet comic tone of the series. "Beef" was critically acclaimed, won several Emmy Awards and proved that Schreier is a true storyteller not only in cinema but also in a series format – one who masterfully combines depth and timing. In the series sector, he also worked on the "Star Wars" series "Skeleton Crew".
Marvel's "Thunderbolts*": A Risky Venture
Jake Schreier made his biggest career leap to date in 2022 when Marvel Studios hired him to direct the film "Thunderbolts*". The project was to be part of the fifth phase of the MCU and focus on an antihero group – consisting of characters such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, John Walker and Red Guardian.
"Thunderbolts*" was an unusual project right from the start: instead of classic superheroes, it focused on flawed characters and moral gray areas. This perfectly suited Schreier's previous work, which consistently explored the human side within darkness. Although the blockbuster was generally well received by fans and critics, it wasn't particularly successful at the box office.
Conclusion: The Right Man at the Right Time
Jake Schreier exemplifies a new generation of directors who see blockbusters not just as show pieces, but as a stage for human stories. With his work on "Thunderbolts*" and the upcoming "X-Men" film, he has the chance to give the MCU a new emotional core – especially now, as the franchise seeks to find itself again after years of expansion. Schreier is not a director of loud statements, but perhaps that's exactly why Marvel needs him right now.
