In a stunning turn of events, Disney and Marvel Studios are reportedly orchestrating a dramatic behind-the-scenes overhaul of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with plans to pivot toward a new, younger generation of X-Men to lead the franchise into its next era. The move comes as the MCU struggles to regain its pre-pandemic dominance, with 2025’s box office performance falling short of expectations and high-profile stars like Pedro Pascal, who plays Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, reportedly facing an uncertain future in the franchise. As Disney races to reboot the MCU, the focus on fresh faces and a revitalized X-Men roster signals a bold shift that could redefine the superhero landscape—or risk alienating fans loyal to the current roster.
A Franchise in Crisis
The MCU, once the gold standard of blockbuster filmmaking, has hit turbulent waters. After the record-breaking success of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, which grossed $2.8 billion globally, the franchise has struggled to maintain its momentum. Films like The Marvels (2023, $206 million worldwide) and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023, $476 million) underperformed relative to their budgets, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) opened to a promising $118 million domestically but saw a steep 66% drop in its second weekend, signaling audience fatigue. The domestic box office for 2025 is projected to barely surpass 2024’s lackluster $8.8 billion, a far cry from the $11.4 billion peak of 2018.
Behind the scenes, the MCU’s Phase 5 and 6 have been plagued by challenges. The 2023 Hollywood strikes delayed key releases like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, while creative missteps and an oversaturation of Disney+ series have diluted the brand’s appeal. The introduction of the multiverse, intended to expand the MCU’s narrative scope, has instead confused casual viewers, with films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022, $955 million) failing to deliver the emotional resonance of earlier entries. Adding to the turmoil, recent reports of on-set tensions, including a high-profile feud between Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Reynolds on Avengers: Doomsday, have raised questions about the franchise’s stability.
Disney’s response? A radical reboot that prioritizes the X-Men, a property acquired in the 2019 Fox deal, as the centerpiece of the MCU’s future. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has hinted at a “reset” following Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, with the X-Men poised to take over from the Avengers. But the decision to focus on a younger, less established cast—and potentially sideline veterans like Pedro Pascal—has sparked intense speculation and debate.
The X-Men Reboot: A New Generation
Disney’s plan to reboot the MCU centers on introducing a fresh X-Men roster, emphasizing young, diverse actors to appeal to Gen Z audiences and reinvigorate the franchise. The X-Men, long a fan-favorite property thanks to the Fox films (2000–2020) and the animated X-Men ’97 series, represent a golden opportunity for Marvel to tap into a rich mythology of mutants, social allegory, and team dynamics. Unlike the Avengers, whose roster has been dominated by legacy characters like Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the new X-Men are envisioned as underdogs—relatable heroes for a new era.
The reboot is reportedly targeting characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, and Iceman, with a focus on casting actors in their 20s to early 30s to ensure longevity in the franchise. Names like Elle Fanning, rumored for Jean Grey, and KiKi Layne, eyed for Storm, have surfaced as potential leads, signaling Marvel’s intent to build a diverse, youthful team. The studio is also prioritizing lesser-known mutants like Dazzler and Jubilee to differentiate the reboot from the Fox era, which leaned heavily on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Professor X (Patrick Stewart). Unlike the Fox films, which often cast older actors, this new iteration aims to capture the youthful energy of the original X-Men comics, where the mutants were teenagers navigating prejudice and power.
The reboot’s narrative will reportedly be set in the MCU’s Earth-616 timeline, post-Secret Wars, with Mr. Sinister as the primary antagonist. This choice reflects Disney’s desire to ground the X-Men in a fresh story unburdened by the multiverse’s complexity. The film, a high priority for the studio, is slated for release by late 2028, with directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah attached to helm the project. The emphasis on a younger cast also aligns with the introduction of Franklin Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, hinting at a future where young heroes like Franklin could bridge the Fantastic Four and X-Men narratives.
Pedro Pascal’s Uncertain Future
One of the most shocking aspects of Disney’s reboot plan is the potential sidelining of Pedro Pascal, whose casting as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps was met with both excitement and backlash. Pascal, a fan favorite for his roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, wrapped filming for Avengers: Doomsday unusually early in August 2025, sparking rumors that his role as Mister Fantastic may be reduced or eliminated. While Pascal is confirmed for Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), his early exit from Doomsday’s production has fueled speculation that Reed Richards could meet a tragic end, paving the way for the X-Men to take center stage.
The decision to move away from Pascal reflects broader concerns about audience reception. Some fans criticized his casting, citing his age (50 in 2025) as a mismatch for the traditionally younger Reed Richards, with complaints like “He’s too old” and “He needs to shave” circulating online. Despite Pascal’s star power and his chemistry with co-stars Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Fantastic Four’s $217 million global box office fell short of expectations for a $200 million production. Social media posts have also pointed to “Pascal fatigue,” with some audiences growing weary of his ubiquitous presence across franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and HBO.
Disney’s shift toward younger talent suggests that Pascal’s Reed Richards may not be the linchpin of the MCU’s future as initially expected. Instead, the studio appears to be prioritizing characters like Franklin Richards, who could serve as a narrative bridge to the X-Men, and a new generation of mutants who can carry the franchise for the next decade. This move has raised concerns among fans who see Pascal as a vital asset, with some arguing that his departure could alienate viewers who rallied behind his casting.
Why the Rush to Reboot?
Disney’s urgency to reboot the MCU stems from a combination of market pressures and creative challenges. The studio’s 2025 box office struggles, including the underperformance of Snow White ($43 million domestic debut) and The Fantastic Four, have intensified the need for a bold new direction. The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon has shifted audience habits, with many opting for home viewing over theater visits, especially as ticket prices in major cities climb to $25. The success of family-friendly films like A Minecraft Movie ($163 million domestic debut) underscores the importance of broad appeal, which the X-Men’s themes of inclusion and diversity are well-positioned to deliver.
Internally, Marvel is grappling with a bloated roster and narrative fatigue. Avengers: Doomsday, set for May 2026, features a sprawling cast of 27 characters, including the Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men like Gambit (Channing Tatum). The complexity of juggling these characters, combined with reported script issues and on-set tensions, has prompted Disney to streamline its vision. The X-Men reboot offers a clean slate, allowing Marvel to focus on a cohesive team dynamic rather than the multiverse’s convoluted web.
The reboot also reflects Disney’s response to fan feedback. Social media campaigns, including hashtags like #MakeMarvelMaleAgain, have highlighted dissatisfaction among some demographics, particularly Gen Z men, who feel the MCU has leaned too heavily into female-led stories. While films like Captain Marvel and Black Widow were critical successes, their box office returns ($1.1 billion and $379 million, respectively) pale compared to Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.9 billion). By introducing a diverse, youthful X-Men team, Disney aims to balance its appeal across genders and age groups while capitalizing on the mutants’ underdog narrative.
Risks and Rewards
The decision to reboot the MCU with a focus on young X-Men is a high-stakes gamble. On one hand, the X-Men’s rich mythology and built-in fanbase offer a chance to recapture the cultural zeitgeist, much like The Avengers did in 2012. The success of X-Men ’97 on Disney+ has proven that mutants remain a draw, with the series’ blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling earning widespread acclaim. A well-executed X-Men reboot could dominate the box office, especially if it taps into the social relevance of mutant metaphors for prejudice and identity.
On the other hand, sidelining established stars like Pedro Pascal risks alienating fans who have invested in the current MCU. Pascal’s early exit from Doomsday has already sparked speculation about Reed Richards’ fate, with some fearing a repeat of the controversial deaths in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The shift to younger, lesser-known actors also carries financial risks, as untested talent may struggle to match the draw of veterans like Robert Downey Jr., whose return as Doctor Doom has generated significant buzz.
The Road to 2028
As Disney races to execute its reboot, the next few years will be critical. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will serve as a bridge to the X-Men era, with the latter expected to reset the MCU’s timeline and introduce the new mutant team. The Fantastic Four’s Baxter Building, highlighted by Kevin Feige as a key element in Doomsday, could play a pivotal role in connecting the two franchises, potentially setting the stage for Franklin Richards to join the X-Men.
For now, Disney’s focus is on assembling a cast and creative team that can deliver a fresh yet authentic X-Men experience. The studio’s commitment to diversity and youth suggests a willingness to take risks, but the success of the reboot will hinge on its ability to balance innovation with respect for the X-Men’s legacy. As the MCU prepares to close out Phase 6, all eyes are on Disney to see whether its bold gamble will usher in a new golden age or become another cautionary tale in Hollywood’s ever-evolving superhero saga.
