There have been rumors circulating about how the MCU will formally introduce mutants. One of the biggest theories is that the mutant known as Rogue will appear in the Captain Marvel sequel. Many fans think that this would be a great way to bring mutants into the MCU while paying homage to the comics.
Other fans think it's too soon and it wouldn't make sense to bring in mutants after the last formal X-Men movie under the Fox umbrella premiered just two years ago (three and a half by the time this film releases). Whether or not Rogue will be first, the eventual mutant introduction will likely catch MCU fans off guard.
10 Tie-In Rogue: She Has Ties To Carol In The Comics
While the MCU is known for adapting comic storylines in their own way, they still typically pay homage to the source material. A great way to do this would be to introduce the mutant Rogue in the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel. Rogue and Captain Marvel have an existing relationship in the comics that fans are begging to see on the silver screen.
While the two of them eventually put their differences aside, they do start as foes in the comics and Rogue even permanently absorbs some of Carol's powers, which would fit with the theme of introducing new "Marvels" in the sequel. Adapting this story would honor the source material and introduce mutants in a limited capacity, teasing the future of the species.
9 Go Another Way: Let The Fox Franchise Breathe
Now that 20th Century Fox has been acquired by Disney, the X-Men from the Fox umbrella are finally being laid to rest, with the exception of Deadpool of course. Many fans enjoyed the reboot with the younger versions of Magneto, Professor X, Mystique, and Cyclops, but the quality seemed to lessen as each new movie passed.
With Dark Phoenix receiving such negative reviews from fans and critiques alike, it might be best to let the bad taste leave fans' mouths before spoon-feeding them a new X-Men story. Additionally, with so much still going on after Endgame, there is no need for the MCU to force mutants so soon.
8 Tie-In Rogue: Bring Mutants Into The MCU
Now that the mutants are back home with Marvel, fans have been speculating about how soon they can expect to see them in the MCU. Kevin Feige suggested that if The New Mutants performed well, it could potentially be retconned into the MCU because there were elements he liked about it.
There is no word on whether or not Wolfsbane and the rest are MCU canon at this point, so fans are still looking for the formal introduction of mutants. Even one mutant would make fans go nuts and who better than a mutant with ties to an existing character who's releasing another film soon? Rogue certainly makes logical sense from that perspective, though some fans are expecting a mutant to show up before then in the Dr. Strange sequel, or even in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
7 Go Another Way: Bring In Some Fan Favorites With Deadpool
It's no secret that the Merc with a Mouth is coming to the MCU and will also retain his R-rated brand of comedy. However, how he enters the fray remains to be seen, at least with respect to how he's going to successfully jump universes with no backlash or in-universe repercussions.
Many theorize this jump could occur during Dr. Strange 2 as the multiverse will be on full display, giving Deadpool a legitimate means of hopping universes. Over the course of two movies, fans have come to love the new version of Colossus as well as the newcomer, Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Having them, among others, make the jump into the MCU with Deadpool could be an interesting way to establish mutants.
6 Tie-In Rogue: Give Rogue An Interesting Character Arc
During Rogue's tenure with Fox's X-Men, she has always been portrayed as one of the good guys. However, she does have villainous origins in the comics and has a history with Captain Marvel (Ms. Marvel at the time). Having Rogue start as a villain and come full circle to join the heroes could be incredibly rewarding for Rogue's character, as well as her fans.
Fans are used to seeing this arc for Magneto and have seen it recently with Loki, but a fresh take on an old trope with a female villain could be exciting yet familiar for fans. It would also allow Rogue to grow and develop in ways that she was never given the chance to in the Fox franchise.
5 Go Another Way: Already Too Much Going On In The Marvels
After the first Captain Marvel film, fans are certainly hoping to see the conclusion of the fight between Captain Marvel and the Supreme Intelligence (and Yon-Rogg to a lesser degree). The first film left it wide open for Carol to settle the score back on Hala.
However, the recent announcement of an adult Monica Rambeau and Miss Marvel being big parts of this movie suggests it takes place in modern times, roughly 28 years after the first film. With the time jump and the addition of new heroes, fans may not get a chance to revisit the previous conflict. However, if Miss Marvel and Photon are supposed to help Danvers on her mission to Hala, adding Rogue to the mix really wouldn't make sense.
4 Tie-In Rogue: She Could Be A Formidable Villain
Rogue has the ability to absorb the powers of anyone she touches, not just mutants. Since she would be able to instantaneously copy and replicate the powers of Miss Marvel, Photon, and Captain Marvel, Rogue could prove to be quite a formidable opponent indeed.
If Rogue could manage all three power sets at one time, she would truly be a monstrous foe that might warrant an additional superhero cameo to stop her. Perhaps fans will get to see an A-Force-style moment that doesn't feel forced.
3 Go Another Way: Start With Mutants That Haven't Been Seen Before
Fox introduced dozens of X-Men characters over the years, but even when they rebooted the franchise, the same key characters (Magneto, Xavier, Jean, Wolverine, etc.) were front and center. Other important characters from the comics were sequestered to the background or killed off in an unceremonious fashion such as Bishop, Jubilee, or Colossus.
There are a plethora of mutants that have never seen the silver screen and given the MCU's ability to turn B and C-level heroes into superstars, going this route might be better. Let the classic heroes take a step back and give the background mutants a chance to shine.
2 Tie-In Rogue: She Can Easily Lead To The Rest Of The X-Men
Given Rogue's history with the X-Men in the comics, she could easily be the linchpin to tie the two worlds together. Starting small with one member of the team, and then slowly expanding that team with other cameos along the way would be a great way to introduce another large team ensemble without providing too much explanation in the team-up movie. Basically the opposite approach to what The Eternals is doing.
Rogue has enough ties to the X-Men and the current MCU roster to be a logical connection point. She could also be introduced as a hero or a villain, and either option could set the stage for something big down the line.
1 Go Another Way: Potential To Ret-Con The MCU's History
With the recent introduction of the country of Madripoor, fans can't help but wonder if mutants have been hiding in the MCU all along. If Rogue doesn't show up in The Marvels, the creative team at Marvel Studios could use Madripoor —as well as other potential X-Men set pieces— to explain the history of mutants within the MCU rather than chalk their existence up to the Snap.
If Marvel Studios could successfully reveal that mutants have been around this entire time (with no glaring plot holes), it would be nothing short of miraculous. With Pietro's origin still widely unexplored, this could be the angle Marvel uses to tie a whole new superpowered people into the MCU.