A new report hints at Marvel Studios developing anX-Menseries for Disney+, and its possible storyline gives me hope that one powerful mutant that 20th Century Fox sidelined will finally be done justice in theMCU. Kevin Feige first teased the introduction of mutants into the MCU in 2019, and while this has been slow - only two mutants have been seen in the MCU’s main continuity - recent news has me very excited about the future. While theMCU’sX-Menrebootmovie continues development, Marvel’s greater mutant plans are coming to light.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakeswriterMichael Lesslie is penning the script for the MCU’sX-Menreboot, but a new report by insiderJeff Sneidersuggests that Marvel is also putting amutant-centric Disney+ series into development. Sneider suggests this will be an"X Academy series that will focus on young mutants,“which makes me think Marvel will be adapting stories from 2005’sNew X-Men: Academy Xrun from Marvel Comics.These stories put Cyclops and Emma Frost in the spotlight, which gives me hope that the MCU will do the same.
Emma Frost Trains Young Mutants In Marvel Comics’ Academy X
Emma Frost & Cyclops Became Headmasters In Marvel Comics' New X-Men: Academy X
New X-Men: Academy Xpicked up where Grant Morrison’sNew X-Menseries (2001-2004) left off.New X-Men’sclimax saw Magneto destroy the X-Mansion, prompting Professor X to leave to help the recovery of Genosha following Cassandra Nova’s mutant genocide.This allowed Scott Summers' Cyclops and Emma Frost to become co-headmasters of the newly-rebuilt X-Mansion, with the student body being divided into training squads, each mentored by a member of the X-Men. I would love to see this format for the X-Men get explored in the MCU.
10 X-Men Stories That Are Perfect For The MCU Phase 7
Marvel Studios could focus on mutants and the X-Men after the Multiverse Saga, and many stories from Marvel Comics would be perfect for the MCU.
New X-Men: Academy Xfocused primarily on two core teams, the New Mutants led by Danielle Moonstar and the Hellions led by Emma Frost. Rogue, Northstar, Gambit, Cyclops, Shadowcat, Iceman, Beast, Storm and Wolfsbane also mentor young mutant squads. This regimental format is an interesting one, and former villainEmma Frost was perhaps the best choice to lead the X-Menin this new direction. Emma Frost was at the forefront of this storyline, so the prospect ofAcademy Xbeing adapted for the MCU has me hoping Emma Frost will be redeemed in live-action.
Marvel’s Academy X Series Could Finally Do Emma Frost Justice In Live-Action
Emma Frost’s Live-Action History Is Disappointing
Emma Frost was first seen in Marvel Comics during the Dark Phoenix Saga in 1980’sThe Uncanny X-Men #129, where she was originally depicted as a villainous member of the menacing Hellfire Club. Over the years, however,Frost has gone on to become a steadfast hero and even a leader of the X-Men and headmaster at Xavier’s School. Her live-action adaptations in 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfranchise completely ignored this brilliant evolution, but Marvel Studios has the opportunity to finally doEmma Frost justice in the MCU.
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Marvel Studios hasn’t yet confirmed whether a Disney+ series based onAcademy Xis being developed, butI reckon this would present the perfect opportunity for Emma Frost to become a main character in the MCU. Frost led the students at Xavier’s School during this time, so Marvel Studios could debut her in the MCU as a mentor, while alluding to her past as a villain or showing it in flashbacks. This would instantlydifferentiate the MCU’sX-Menstories from Fox’s, centering them on a previously-underdeveloped mutant hero. I think Emma Frost deserves redemption more than most.
Why Fox Struggled To Get Emma Frost Right (& What Marvel Can Do Better)
Emma Frost Was Completely Insignificant In Fox’s X-Men Franchise
20th Century Fox made many changes to the X-Men team when bringing them into live-action in 2000’sX-Men, most notably to appease to mass audiences, many of whom had no interest in superhero media at the time. The X-Men’s colorful costumes were replaced by black leather uniforms, they routinely faced the human-appearing, not-very-weird villain Magneto, and more popular characters such as Wolverine and Professor X were put in the spotlight. This continued throughout the two-decade-long franchise, meaning other formidablemutant heroes were ignored, neglected and wasted.
I was always disappointed thatEmma Frost didn’t get more attention in Fox’sX-Menfranchise. Emma Frost is one of Marvel’s most powerful and well-known female heroes, and her complex backstory as a villain and evolution into an X-Man had great cinematic potential.Marvel Studios needs to transform Emma Frost into a hero on-screen, and adaptingNew X-Men: Academy Xwould be an inspired way to make this happen. The full range of her abilities, her relationships (sometimes romantic) with other heroes and her complex backstory can all be explored in anX-Menseries, which makes me very excited.
