While the X-Men's entrance into the MCU is far away, when the time comes, using X-Men: Evolution as a guide for the adaptation is the best bet.

The X-Men joining the MCU may be in the distant future but is still highly anticipated and will remain so until the day comes. With no clues as to how the X-Men will be introduced or integrated into the MCU, fans are left to speculate when and how.

While the live-action X-Men adaptations by Fox were movies, perhaps the best course of action for a X-Men adaptation in the MCU would be a TV show, especially now that Disney+ is being used to expand the MCU episodically with shows like WandaVision. If the MCU does in fact make their X-Men a TV show, a great model to follow would be the animated X-Men: Evolution.

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A TV show in general would benefit the property because of how the X-Men function as a group. While the Avengers are a superhero group, its members are also stand-alone characters. However, the X-Men are a package deal, which calls for an ensemble approach. A TV show would allow all X-Men to be developed and seen equally, which the films struggled to do. Some of the most beloved and important mutants, for instance, got pushed aside or wereunderutilized.

The X-Men comics also have very involved and engaging storylines that arehindered if rushed and condensed. A prime example of this happening is both attempts at "The Phoenix Saga" inX-Men: The Last StandandDark Phoenix. A TV format would allow for a much more fleshed out and satisfying take on treasured comic storylines.

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Since MCU characterscurrently in the movies are getting their own TV shows on Disney+, this means the X-Men can still make appearances in movies as well as the shows. This would grant more in depth explorations of relationships with established MCU characters and the mutants, like Captain Marvel and Rogue, Kitty Pryde and the Guardians of the Galaxy and Storm and Black Panther, to name a few.

If a TV format is utilized, while many of the animated X-Men shows were great, X-Men: Evolution might be the best formula to follow for the MCU in particular, withX-Men: Evolutionutilizing the TV format perfectly. Its storylineshad origins in the comicsbut also allowed for breathing room and developed at a good pace. Meanwhile, the side stories in each episodeadded to the entertainment. It also had original takes on established characters, so the show wasnt a carbon copy of the comics, making it a great balancenew and classic. The show also wasnt hyper-focused on only a few characters, like Scott,Jean or Wolverine.

Furthermore, X-Men: Evolution introduced new characters,allowing for each to get their appropriate spotlight. Starting with a core group, more mutants joined as the show went on, allowing for them to be properly developed from the get-go and changing the team dynamic over time by adding allies and foes. The staggering of additions also allowed for a true ensemble feel and for the audience to form an opinionof each mutant as they settled into the show.

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Another key appeal of a live-action show with a X-Men: Evolution influence is the age range and subsequent tiers of mutant roles. The classic cartoon had layers to it because mutants of different maturity and expertise levels were explored. This also allowed for several kinds of relationships to develop, like romances, mentorships, friendships and rivalries.

Also, X-Men: Evolution benefited from having the younger mutants in high school and dealing with humans because they were faced with rejection as well as learning to move above this. Navigating normal teenage problems as well as superhuman problems created fascinating inner-conflicts; meanwhile, watching the mutants attempt to be part of society while also hiding who they really were was poignant. Lastly, with adversaries attending the same school as them, constant conflict was imminent and entertaining.

With differing age groups, excellently executed storylines and situations thatfeaturedconflicts with enemiesas well asinteractions with the general society, an X-Men: Evolution inspired take would be a great path for the MCU to follow, even if the X-Men aren't introduced in a serialized show.However, the episodic structure of television would serve an ensemble cast better than a film could.

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Gillian Madans is a freelance writer based in New York, NY. She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College. You can find her on Twitter at @GillianMadans.

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X-Men: Evolution Is the Perfect Model for the MCU's Mutant Future - CBR - Comic Book Resources