Marvel Studios recently updated its MCU film slate through 2028, once again becoming a hot topic among fans and netizens.
While the long-troubled "Blade" reboot was unexpectedly (yet not entirely surprisingly) removed from the official schedule, replaced by 20th Century Studios' "Predator: Badlands", which certainly disappointed some fans, the inclusion of the long-rumored "X-Men" in the 2028 lineup has reignited excitement. 
As previously reported, Marvel Studios added three new film slots: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. Although "X-Men" has not yet been assigned a specific date, its release within 2028 is essentially confirmed, given the already planned Phase Five and Phase Six schedules.
Will the MCU Undergo a "Soft Reboot"?
Regarding the development of "The Multiverse Saga" and a potential Phase Seven, Comicbook.com offered this analysis:
Since the conclusion of "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has struggled to deliver consistently standout performances. Considering that "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars" are slated for release in 2026 and 2027, respectively, as the Multiverse Saga's grand finale, this could pave the way for Phase Seven in 2028, potentially even leading to the creation of an entirely new Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
Especially after Marvel Studios confirmed "Avengers: Secret Wars," some fans expressed hope that the MCU could use this event for a "soft reboot," aiming to "correct" the Multiverse Saga, which has not received widespread critical acclaim. This would allow Phase Seven to center around a rebooted "X-Men," establishing a new MCU built around an "X-Men Universe."
Is 2028 the Best Time for "X-Men" to Arrive?
While at least one or more sequel films, such as "Doctor Strange 3" or "Shang-Chi 2," are expected during 2028, based on the analysis above, "X-Men" and "Young Avengers" could fundamentally serve as the two major starting points for Phase Seven, each developing along distinct series pathways.
This approach offers a significant advantage: even if the "Avengers" series doesn't meet high fan expectations, an alternative path centered on "X-Men" still holds the potential to re-energize audience interest in the MCU's future. Therefore, this scheduling and release timing is undoubtedly an optimal strategy to boost audience anticipation.
Of course, all of this hinges on the fact that Marvel Studios has multiple ways to introduce the "X-Men Universe" into the MCU, not just by directly launching an "X-Men" film. They could gradually integrate the X-Men through other characters and storylines. For instance, they could allude to the existence of the X-Men and mutants via the mutant nation of Krakoa, or introduce X-Men characters through cameos in other films or series, paving the way for their subsequent standalone projects.
via： Comicbook.com