Director Edgar Wright occupies a fascinating place in the ever-evolving history of Marvel Studios — a legacy that is brief in duration but rich in intrigue and speculation. Renowned for his distinctive style and cinematic flair, best exemplified in his cult-favorite film *Shaun of the Dead*, Wright has long captivated audiences with his rhythmic editing, sharp wit, and visual inventiveness. His latest release, *The Running Man*, once again brings his creative talents to the forefront. Yet, his relationship with Marvel dates back to its earliest phases, particularly to the period known as Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). During that formative time, Wright was famously attached to direct *Ant-Man*, a project that many believed would have been a perfect extension of his kinetic storytelling style. However, the collaboration ultimately fell apart due to well-documented creative differences, and the film proceeded without him. Despite the separation, fans have continued to indulge in endless hypotheticals, wondering what an Edgar Wright version of *Ant-Man* might have looked like — a tantalizing “what if” scenario that still fuels discussion among film enthusiasts. Surprisingly, it appears there was an even grander Marvel-related “what if” connected to Wright’s career — one that potentially involved the legendary *X-Men* franchise.
This revelation surfaced recently when producer and screenwriter Simon Kinberg, a key figure associated with the *X-Men* cinematic legacy, shared insights during a red carpet interview for *The Running Man*. In conversation with the official Movies X account, Kinberg disclosed that his longstanding admiration for Wright had led him to present the director with numerous opportunities over the years, including several projects starring Marvel’s iconic mutants. “I’ve been trying to make a movie with Edgar Wright for over twenty-five years,” Kinberg explained, reflecting on a professional courtship that began when both were young and ambitious creatives just finding their footing in Hollywood. Over the decades, Kinberg, whose career has encompassed an impressive array of productions, reportedly sent Wright countless scripts and proposals — among them, different *X-Men* films — only to be met with polite refusals. Wright’s consistent choice to decline, while surprising given the high-profile nature of the franchises involved, underscores his commitment to pursuing only projects that align with his artistic sensibilities. It wasn’t until *The Running Man* that the two finally managed to collaborate successfully, bringing to fruition a creative partnership that had been in the making for nearly a generation.
Kinberg himself is no stranger to the superhero universe. As the creative force behind many of the *X-Men* films produced between 2006 and 2020, he either penned or oversaw nearly every installment from the Fox era. His tenure spanned from the days of *X-Men: The Last Stand* through to *The New Mutants*, encompassing fourteen years of cinematic storytelling that helped define modern superhero cinema. Along the way, he worked with some of the industry’s most talented directors, including Matthew Vaughn, James Mangold, Tim Miller, and David Leitch, each bringing their distinct vision to the mutant saga. One can only imagine what an *X-Men* movie might have looked like under Edgar Wright’s direction — perhaps an *X-Men: First Class* imbued with his trademark energy and humor, or even a wildly unconventional take on *Deadpool*. Although the idea of Wright steering *The New Mutants* may seem remote, the thought of his creative hand shaping any branch of the *X-Men* storyline is a captivating notion for both fans and industry watchers alike.
While Kinberg never specified which particular projects he had offered Wright, his comments suggested that multiple proposals were indeed considered over the years. The reasons behind Wright’s rejections remain unconfirmed, though speculation naturally gravitates toward his prior experience with Marvel Studios and the challenges he faced during the *Ant-Man* development process. It’s plausible that his previous clash over creative control influenced his hesitance to step once more into a world overseen by vast corporate machinery. In a cinematic landscape filled with aborted concepts, alternate visions, and the perennial allure of the “almost,” the specter of an Edgar Wright–directed *X-Men* film stands as one of the most intriguing might-have-beens in modern comic book movie history.
Ultimately, fate ensured that Wright and Kinberg did find common ground at last through *The Running Man*, a film that reconnected their shared ambition after decades of near-collaboration. Audiences can now witness the result of this long-anticipated partnership in theaters. For those interested in delving deeper into Wright’s creative process and his reflections on working with Kinberg, a full interview with the director is available, offering more perspective on their professional journey.
For readers seeking additional coverage, io9 continues to track the expanding universe of pop culture franchises — from updates on the next wave of *Marvel*, *Star Wars*, and *Star Trek* releases to the evolving landscape of the DC Universe in both film and television, as well as the ever-continuing adventures tied to *Doctor Who*. In the ever-shifting narrative of modern cinema, stories like Wright’s remind us that sometimes the most compelling creative decisions are defined not by the projects an artist undertakes, but by the ones he chooses to leave behind.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/edgar-wright-x-men-movie-marvel-2000685623
