Imagine a world where the quirky, fast-paced style of Shaun of the Dead collided with the mutant mayhem of the X-Men. Sounds wild, right? Well, it almost happened. Director Edgar Wright, known for his unique blend of humor and action, has a fascinating history with Marvel Studios—one that’s filled with missed opportunities and tantalizing ‘what ifs.’ But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: it turns out Wright wasn’t just linked to Ant-Man (a project he famously exited due to creative differences); he was also approached to direct an X-Men movie. Yes, you read that right.
During a recent red carpet event for his new film The Running Man, producer Simon Kinberg dropped a bombshell. In a candid conversation with the official Movies X account, Kinberg revealed his long-standing desire to collaborate with Wright. ‘I’ve been trying to make a movie with Edgar Wright for over 25 years,’ Kinberg confessed. ‘We met when we were young guys in Hollywood, just starting out, and I’ve been such a huge fan of his.’ Over the years, Kinberg pitched Wright numerous projects, including multiple X-Men films. ‘I’ve sent him things—many, many things—X-Men movies, all kinds of things, and he always said no,’ Kinberg added. That is, until The Running Man finally brought them together.
But here’s where it gets controversial: What if Wright had said yes to an X-Men film? Could his distinctive style have transformed franchises like X-Men: First Class or Deadpool into something even more groundbreaking? Or would his vision have clashed with the studio’s expectations, as it did with Ant-Man? Kinberg, who wrote or produced nearly every X-Men movie from 2006 to 2020, managed to attract top-tier directors like Matthew Vaughn and James Mangold. Yet, the idea of Wright’s take on these iconic mutants remains one of the most tantalizing ‘what ifs’ in comic book movie history.
While we may never know which specific X-Men films were offered to Wright or why he turned them down, it’s hard not to speculate. Was it the shadow of his Marvel past? Or perhaps a desire to carve his own path outside the superhero genre? Whatever the reason, the thought of an Edgar Wright X-Men movie is enough to send fans into a frenzy of imagination.
And this is the part most people miss: Wright’s collaboration with Kinberg on The Running Man proves that, despite past differences, these two powerhouses can create something extraordinary together. If you’re curious about their dynamic, check out our interview with Wright, where he dives into his experience working with Kinberg.
Now, here’s the question for you: Would an Edgar Wright X-Men movie have been a game-changer, or was it better left as a ‘what if’? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
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