The Justice League. What should have been DC’s crowning cinematic achievement ended up being a cautionary tale. The 2017 Justice League film, with all its behind-the-scenes drama and controversial decisions, failed to live up to the hype.
But here’s a plot twist: that very misstep by Warner Bros. might actually work in Marvel’s favor as they gear up to introduce the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The DCEU’s Justice League Blunder
Let’s rewind a bit. One of the biggest issues with the DCEU’s approach to Justice League was that it was rushed. Warner Bros. fast-tracked a full team-up movie before most of the individual heroes had their time to shine in solo films. By the time Justice League hit theaters, only Superman had a solo movie with 2013’s Man of Steel, and Wonder Woman had just received her solo outing in 2017. Characters like Batman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg were barely introduced before being thrust into a team-up film. The result? A disjointed movie that struggled to connect with audiences.
This decision was a significant gamble that didn’t pay off. The DCEU tried to speed-run what Marvel had carefully built over years with the MCU, and it backfired. Characters lacked development, the story felt rushed, and the film’s mixed reception proved that you can’t rush greatness.
The MCU’s X-Men: A New Hope?
So, how does this failed strategy potentially benefit the MCU? Simple: by learning from it. Marvel Studios is currently in the middle of its Multiverse Saga, with X-Men and mutants already teased in other realities. However, the full reboot and integration of the X-Men into the main MCU timeline (Earth-616) are expected after the Multiverse Saga wraps up with Avengers: Secret Wars. When that time comes, Marvel might just do the unthinkable: start with a full X-Men team-up movie first.
Why Rushing Might Actually Work for the X-Men
Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, didn’t the DCEU fail because they rushed things?” Yes, but here’s the key difference: the X-Men have always been a team. From their inception in the comics, the X-Men were a group of mutant heroes, students of Charles Xavier, who fought together from day one.
Unlike the Justice League, which brought together individual heroes with their own backstories and motivations, the X-Men’s strength lies in their unity. They are a family, a team that’s more than the sum of its parts. Starting with a full team movie makes sense because that’s how the X-Men have always operated.
Building on What Works
Marvel Studios could kick things off by introducing a fully-formed X-Men team, showing them as an established group within the MCU. This approach would allow Marvel to integrate mutants into their universe without the pressure of having to give every character a solo movie right away. It’s a strategy that could work to Marvel’s advantage, especially given how interconnected the X-Men’s stories are.
After the initial team-up, Marvel can then decide which characters deserve their own solo features. Wolverine, Storm, and Gambit, for instance, are characters with enough depth and popularity to carry their own films. But not every X-Man needs a standalone movie, and that’s where Marvel has an edge over what the DCEU attempted. By gauging audience reactions and seeing which characters resonate the most, Marvel can make informed decisions about which mutants to spotlight next.
Why It’s Different for the MCU
The biggest difference between what Warner Bros. attempted with the DCEU and what Marvel could do with the X-Men is that Marvel isn’t desperate. The MCU is a well-oiled machine, with a vast array of characters and stories already in play. Introducing the X-Men doesn’t need to carry the same level of pressure that the DCEU faced with the Justice League.
Marvel can afford to take risks, knowing that the X-Men aren’t the only game in town. If a full team-up movie works, great! If it doesn’t, there’s still plenty more to explore in the MCU. This flexibility is something Warner Bros. didn’t have, as they placed all their bets on the Justice League delivering a major hit.
A Bold New Strategy
In the end, the Justice League’s missteps might just be the blueprint Marvel needs to make the X-Men a success in the MCU. By learning from what didn’t work for DC, Marvel can craft a fresh approach that honors the X-Men’s legacy while fitting them seamlessly into the ever-expanding MCU.
So, when the time comes for the X-Men to make their MCU debut, don’t be surprised if Marvel flips the script and goes for a full team-up right off the bat. It’s a bold move, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Marvel Studios. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to see Wolverine, Storm, and Cyclops kicking butt together from the get-go? Get ready, because the MCU’s mutant era is about to begin, and it might just change the superhero game forever.