Imagine if Edgar Wright had directed an X-Men film—how wildly different would it have been? The beloved director behind Shaun of the Dead and the newly released The Running Man has a surprisingly long, if complicated, history with Marvel Studios. Most people know that Wright was originally set to helm Ant-Man during Marvel's Phase One. Creative disagreements eventually led to him stepping away, leaving the film to be made without his vision. Fans have long speculated about the alternate universe where Wright did make that movie. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: Wright almost had the chance to tackle an X-Men project too.
During a red carpet event for The Running Man, producer Simon Kinberg revealed just how persistent he has been in trying to collaborate with Wright over the years. Kinberg, who played a key role in the Fox-era X-Men films, shared that he has been pitching Wright all sorts of projects—including X-Men films—since they were young, aspiring filmmakers in Hollywood. "I've been trying to make a movie with Edgar Wright for over 25 years," Kinberg told the official Movies X account. "We met when we were just starting out, and I’ve been a huge fan of his work. Over the years, I've sent him many projects, including numerous X-Men ideas, but he always said no—until now, with The Running Man."
The full quote and moment were captured during the event:
Producer Simon Kinberg talks getting Edgar Wright involved with THE RUNNING MAN, in theaters TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/vNsL6O1X1L
— @Movies is ready for The Running Man (@Movies) November 13, 2025
Kinberg’s track record with the X-Men franchise is extensive. Between 2006 and 2020, he either wrote or produced nearly every film in the series, guiding the Fox-era movies. He worked with acclaimed directors such as Matthew Vaughn, James Mangold, Tim Miller, and David Leitch, helping bring some of the most memorable mutants to life. But now, imagine Wright’s unique style applied to films like X-Men: First Class or Deadpool—the possibilities are mind-bending. (New Mutants, maybe not so much.)
The specifics of which X-Men projects Kinberg offered Wright remain a mystery, as does the reasoning behind Wright’s refusals. His previous experiences with Marvel, particularly the Ant-Man situation, could have influenced his decisions. Nevertheless, in a cinematic world full of near-misses and "almosts," the idea of an Edgar Wright X-Men film is undeniably fascinating.
Eventually, Kinberg did succeed in collaborating with Wright on The Running Man, now playing in theaters. You can read our in-depth interview with Wright, where he discusses his experience working with Kinberg, right here.
For fans hungry for more, check out the latest news on upcoming Marvel releases, the future of Star Wars and Star Trek franchises, the DC Universe on film and TV, and what’s next for Doctor Who to stay ahead of the entertainment curve.
