It is official: theX-Menare on their way to theMCU, leading to speculation among fans about which mutants will make the cut. There are some who seem obvious, such as Wolverine, Storm or Cyclops. No doubt, the MCU will throw some curveballs at fans, bringing in obscure X-Men members.

The X-Men is one of the MCU’s latest additions, joining the fold after Marvel’s parent company, Disney, purchased the film division of 20th Century Fox, who held the team’s movie rights. 20th Century had been making X-Men films since 2000, and their series of movies spotlighted many mutants.

Fox’s X-Men movies featured many of the team’s most popular members, but they also realized the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe was large.

Fox’s X-Men movies featured many of the team’s most popular members, but they also realized the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe was large. The movies shined a light on lesser-known mutants, such as Iceman, Archangel and Psylocke. Yet even still, the movies did not do justice to the X-Men’s scope.

The creative minds behind the MCU clearly have plans for the X-Men, asThunderbolts*director Jake Schreier has been rumored to direct the film. He and others will be looking for mutants to add to the roster. Here are 10 X-Men that the MCU probably will not use, but totally should.

Len Wein

Giant-Size Fantastic Four#4

Jamie Madrox,also known as the Multiple Man,is a cult-favorite member of the X-Men with cool powers and a very small chance of appearing in the MCU. Madrox’s mutant ability allows him to create clones of himself every time someone touches him. Jamie can build an entire army in a matter of minutes.

In the comics, Madrox was a member of both the X-Men and X-Factor. His time with the latter is especially noteworthy, as he repurposed the team into a team of mutant detectives. This incarnation of the team, written by the late Peter David, was well-received by fans, and cemented Madrox’s status within the Marvel Universe.

The Multiple Man actually appeared on-screen during the Fox era of the X-Men, in 2006’sX-Men: The Last Stand.However, this version was not the hero fans know and love, but a lackey of Magneto. Fans also only got to see an underwhelming and fleeting glimpse of his awesome powers.

The MCU could be where the mainstream latches onto how cool the Multiple Man is, but he is not likely to appear anytime soon.

The MCU could be where the mainstream latches onto how cool the Multiple Man is, but he is not likely to appear anytime soon. There are simply way too many mutants, some with much higher profiles, the MCU can draw from, meaning Madrox’s shot at cinematic redemption is dead on arrival.

Ed Brubaker and Pete Woods

X-Men: Deadly Genesis#2

Darwin, a mutant whose body can quickly adapt to any situation or crisis he finds himself in, was a member of a “lost” team of X-Men, brought together by Professor X before he assembled the “New X-Men.” Darwin was seemingly killed on that mission, but his powers allowed him to survive.

Darwin would appear in the FoxX-Menmovies, in 2011’sX-Men: First Class.The film served as a “soft reboot” of the franchise, and showed how the team first came together.Magneto and Professor X recruitedDarwin to the X-Men, and his powers should have been a massive asset.

Yet Darwin, played by Edi Gathegi, was killed by Sebastian Shaw early in the movie, which angered fans. The fans (correctly) pointed out that Darwin’s adaptive powers should have allowed him to survive. Furthermore, his death was seen as a reinforcement of tropes about Black people in genre movies.

The fans (correctly) pointed out that Darwin’s adaptive powers should have allowed him to survive. Furthermore, his death was seen as a reinforcement of tropes about Black people in genre movies.

The MCU has a golden opportunity to right this wrong in a grand way.Darwin’s powers, if done correctly, would make him an immortal powerhouse. However, his powers would not be as interesting as others visually, which puts a damper on Darwin’s on-screen redemption.

Annie Nocenti and Art Adams

Longshot#1

Longshot, whose mutant ability allows him to tap into “probability fields,” has been a fan-favorite since his debut in 1985, but his luck might run out when it comes to joining the MCU.This is a shame, as his unique power set would come in handy during combat situations, essentially allowing him to always win.

Longshot’s powers are more nuanced than that, and the MCU could have a field day teasing out the implications of his abilities. Longshot’s luck does not always hold, and can even backfire on him. While Longshot’s powers would make for fascinating philosophical digressions, they are not the most interesting on a visual level.

This more than likely means it will be a long time, if ever, before Longshot joins the MCU. The character did not appear in any of Fox’sX-Menmovies, although he was inX-Men The Animated Series.Longshot is a blank slate for the MCU, but they will likely not use him.

Longshot was revealed to be a clone of Shatterstar.

Longshot’s origin, however, would make for a trippy movie. He hails from another dimension called the “Mojoverse” where its inhabitants fight, live and die at the whims of the evil Mojo. It, too, has never appeared on film, giving the MCU a golden opportunity to incorporate it into their continuity. Alas, this does not seem likely to happen.

First Appearance

John Romita Sr, Rich Hoberg and Dennis Marks

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends,“Triumph of the Green Goblin”,Uncanny X-Men#193 (in-universe)

Of all the X-Men on this list, Firestar has the greatest chance of appearing in the MCU, thanks to a 1980s cartoon and ties to several teams in the Marvel Universe.Her fire-based powers would make for some epic scenes, but her chances of actually entering the MCU are slim.

Created because the rights to the Human Torch lay elsewhere, she became popular with fans, so much so that she eventually entered comic continuity a few years after the cartoon went off the air.

Yet Firestar enjoys a slightly higher profile than other X-Men members on this list. Firestar debuted in the classicSpider-Man and His Amazing Friendscartoon. Created because the rights to the Human Torch lay elsewhere, she became popular with fans, so much so that she eventually entered comic continuity a few years after the cartoon went off the air.

Firestar has connections all over the Marvel Universe. She was a member of the X-Men, but also had a memorable stint with the Avengers during the Kurt Busiek/George Perez era. The MCU could take advantage of this, introducing Firestar in either anAvengersorX-Menfilm. She could bridge the gap between the two teams.

Firestar was key in bringing down Orchis at the end of the Krakoan Era of the X-Men.

Despite all of this, Firestar probably will not make her MCU debut anytime soon. While her connections would give Marvel ample opportunities to establish her character, the fact is the MCU already has a flame-based hero, the same one she was created to replace: the Human Torch, who will be a part of the upcomingFantastic Four: First Steps.

Chris Claremont, John Byrne and John Romita Jr

Uncanny X-Men#141

Rachel Summers would make a powerful addition to the MCU’s X-Men, but there are several factors working to keep her out.She possesses telepathic powers of the highest caliber, and was even an avatar of the Phoenix Force. She would make for great on-screen visuals, so what is keeping her out?

First is her highly convoluted backstory. Rachel hailsfrom the “Days of Future’s Past” universe, and she is the daughter of that world’s Cyclops and Jean Grey. Bringing Rachel Summers into the MCU would require a great deal of explanation, as well as introducing an entirely new reality, one that might confuse fans.

Setting up Rachel Summers in the MCU could possibly take even a few films to accomplish, but there is something else that would put the brakes on her introduction: she is redundant.

Setting up Rachel Summers in the MCU could possibly take even a few films to accomplish, but there is something else that would put the brakes on her introduction: she is redundant. The MCU’s X-Men movies will most likely feature Jean Grey, who is more popular and more well known.

There is no need at this time in the MCU for Rachel Summers. However, the MCU is leaning into the idea of a multiverse, going as far as to structure Phases Four, Five and Six around the idea. This means that there is an “in” for Rachel Summers, but it might be a long time before anyone follows up on it.

Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira

Uncanny X-Men#345

Maggot was not a member of the X-Men for long, but he left an impression on fans. Maggot possessed one of the most unique mutations ever since in Marvel Comics: his body contained two slugs that he could expel. These slugs could digest anything and return to Maggot’s body, giving him a power up.

Introducing Maggot to the MCU could allow the franchise to explore new and untapped areas, namely that of body horror. This genre, popularized by directors like David Cronenberg, would be a natural fit for someone of Maggot’s abilities. However, this could work against Maggot in the end.

Maggot, and his digesting slugs, would make for gross scenes, which could push any film with him in it into “R” territory.

A key component of body horror is gore, which the MCU has largely stayed away from. The MCU is a “family-friendly” franchise, with only one R-rated movie among the 30+ films comprising it. Maggot, and his digesting slugs, would make for gross scenes, which could push any film with him in it into “R” territory.

Furthermore, Maggot was never really a popular member of the X-Men, nor was he a member for long. Maggot still appears sporadically in theX-Mencomics, but he never achieved a high profile.This lack of interest, combined with the gross elements inherent in his character, will keep him out of the MCU.

Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli

Secret Warriors#4

There are more than a few X-Men who can teleport, but few can equal the power and scope of Manifold. Whereas a teleporter like Nightcrawler can only travel over limited distances, Manifold can potentially go anywhere in the universe, which he achieves by controlling the very fabric of space-time itself.

Manifold’s powers are not limited to teleportation. Since he can manipulate space-time, Manifold is capable of bending light around him, making him invisible to the naked eye. The MCU does not have teleporters, nor do they have people who can “cloak” themselves, which should make Manifold a shoo-in for the MCU.

Manifold was mentored by another teleporting mutant: Gateway.

Manifold also has ties to other Marvel teams as well. Introduced as part of Nick Fury’s Secret Warriors, Manifold would also go on to join the Avengers. During the X-Men’s Krakoan era, Manifold joined SWORD, working under Abigail Brand. Manifold gets around, and he does not necessarily need to be a member of the X-Men.

Yet despite his awesome powers, Manifold will most likely never be seen in the MCU.Given that Nightcrawler is much more high-profilethan Manifold, the MCU will most likely use him if they want a teleporter for their X-Men movies. However, he could debut in a futureAvengersfilm, giving the team a serious boost.

Roy Thomas and Don Heck

X-Men#64

Sunfire has been a part of X-Men lore for 50+ years, and was even a member of the “New X-Men” team at one point, but his chances of ever appearing in the MCU are slim.Sunfire’s mother was exposed to radiation when the United States deployed a nuclear weapon at Hiroshima, which gave her son mutant powers.

Sunfire, as the name implies, can control solar radiation, using it to fly and generate fiery plasma bursts. Sunfire was recruited into the X-Men by Professor X after the original team was taken prisoner by an early version of Krakoa. Sunfire did not stay long, and has not rejoined the team since.

Given his minor ties to the X-Men franchise, Sunfire appearing in the MCU is a longshot. As noted in Starfire’s entry, the MCU will soon have the Human Torch, who has similar powers. Just as the Torch might keep Starfire out of the MCU, he can also ensure Sunfire never debuts.

Yet what might truly keep Sunfire out of the MCU’sX-Menmovie is his arrogant and haughty attitude.

Yet what might truly keep Sunfire out of the MCU’sX-Menmovie is his arrogant and haughty attitude. In his original appearances, Sunfire hated the United States for bombing his country. While understandable, it gave Sunfire a massive chip on his shoulder. While the MCU could change his origin, the attitude has become a trademark of his character.

Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly

New X-Men Annual 2001

Convoluted backstories are nothing new to comics, nor the X-Men franchise, but Xorn takes it to a whole other level, which will most likely doom his chances of joining the MCU. Xorn was a highlight of Morrison and Quietly’sNew X-Men, but it is what happened next that hampers his chances of appearing in a movie.

In 2003’sNew X-Men#146, Xorn was revealed to be Magneto in disguise. He created the Xorn identity as a way of infiltrating the X-Men. Fans were not happy with this development. Some had grown fond of Xorn, while others believed that the whole plan was too silly for someone like Magneto.

Yet shortly after this, and through a series of increasingly convoluted retcons, Xorn was revealed to actually be a real person. According to legend, Marvel editors had grown to like Xorn, and wanted another version in the universe, leading to writer Chuck Austen making Xorn his own person.

Plus, given that Xorn’s backstory is next to impossible to decipher, the MCU might just want to pass him over.

Xorn’s powers and otherworldly appearance would, visually, be stunning. Xorn has a miniature star for a brain, which, while sounding cool, might be a bit much for mainstream audiences. Plus, given that Xorn’s backstory is next to impossible to decipher, the MCU might just want to pass him over.

1Is Vulcan Too Powerful For the MCU’s X-Men?

The MCU Will Go With Cyclops or Even Havok Before Vulcan

Created by: Ed Brubaker and Trevor Hairsine First Appearance:X-Men: Deadly Genesis#1

For years, Marvel teased a “third” Summers brotherafter Cyclops and Havok, eventually delivering the character of Vulcan. Vulcan was originally part of a “lost’ team of X-Men that Professor X brought together, but failed in their mission. He has been both friend and foe to the X-Men ever since.

When the X-Men arrive in the MCU, Cyclops will most likely be a member, and it is even possible that Havok might appear, which jeopardizes Vulcan’s chances of ever being in a movie. Cyclops and Havok are simply more bankable, recognizable characters, thanks to their appearances in Fox’sX-Menmovies.

Excluding Vulcan from the MCU’sX-Menmakes sense, but it deprives the franchise of a cool character. Vulcan not only has ties to the X-Men, but the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe as well, having been the leader of the Shi’Ar Empire at one point. The MCU has a big cosmic corner and Vulcan would fit right in.

Introducing Vulcan to the MCU would not only add personal drama to Cyclops (and maybe even Havok) but would also be a great way to work the Shi’Ar into the franchise as well. The Shi’Ar have a long history with theX-Men, and now that the mutants are part of theMCU, it is only a matter of time before the Shi’Ar appear as well.