Simon Kinberg Wouldn’t say ‘No’ To Directing another X-Men film for the MCU

The last X-Men film in the connected 20th Century Fox universe was written and directed by Simon Kinberg. The prolific writer and producer dealt with a number of the films, including Logan and Deadpool. Yet, the film where he was behind the camera, X-Men: Dark Phoenix was one of the most poorly-received X-Men films because X-Men Origins: Wolverine. (Though, in this fan’s estimation, the hate was undeserved.) Kinberg revealed his desire to continue working with Marvel’s mutants if allowed during a question-and-answer session with IGN. The film they were revisiting was another Kinberg story, the widely-praised X-Men: Days of Future past that united the two iterations of Fox X-Men films into one, albeit confusing, timeline. during this rewatch, Simon Kinberg revealed that he would like to direct an X-Men film when they appear in the MCU.

Once Disney purchased the studio, the rights to the X-Men and other mutant characters reverted to marvel Studios. So, this implies that Kevin Feige has to figure out how to bring the X-Men into the MCU. As Kinberg has had his hands in the best and worst of the past X-Men universe, it may make sense to at least speak with with him about how to do that. Still, it implies that

So, Does Simon Kinberg really want another shot at Directing an X-Men film for the MCU?

image by Doane Gregory through 20th Century Fox

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When asked the question about returning to tell mutant stories for marvel Studios, Kinberg reacted as any filmmaker and fan would. because he’s very well-versed in the universe, he seems eager to still dive in and tell stories if given the opportunity. Though, it’s not as if he’s actively seeking the job or even under consideration from marvel Studios. If anything, the powers-that-be would likely look to other talent in purchase to bring “fresh eyes” to the project. and it doesn’t sound like Kinberg objects to that idea either.

Kinberg said:

“I love the X-Men. They were my favorite comic growing up…for a lot of reasons, wanting to fit in growing up and being a bit of an outcast as a young teen, X-Men really talked to me. It’s something I’ve always loved…. one of the things the MCU does so well, and I have such a profound respect as a fellow filmmaker and then as just a fan, is that they’re really faithful to the comics. They also are very unafraid of a much more supernatural or science fiction tonality to their movies. They don’t feel like they need to ground them so much in a sort of physics-based reality….

“I think the X-Men could be very cool if you brought in science fiction elements and even the beyond earth elements of the X-Men. That’s something as a fan I would love to see, because I don’t know that we’ve ever fully done that in a fully committed way in the Fox X-Men canon.”

This answer actually tracks with what we know about how Kinberg approached Dark Phoenix. The film originally featured a huge space battle where Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey let loose with the power cosmic. However, because it ultimately was too similar to the space battle at the end of Captain Marvel, they had to change course.

So, it seems that Simon Kinberg would take another shot at directing an X-Men film in the MCU if offered. However, he also seems keen to delight in where they take the franchise as a fan and not just a storyteller.

How would you bring the X-Men into the MCU? give us your elevator pitch in the comments below.

Featured image through 20th Century Fox