The roadmap for the Marvel Cinematic Universe has always been complicated. When the origin films of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America premiered in the early stages of the MCU, several other Marvel works had already debuted. The Fantastic Four, The Punisher, Blade, Ghost Rider, and Elektra, among other various works, posed a difficult situation for Marvel. Should the film company include previous superheroes? If so, who? If so, how?

As the MCU grew in size, it became harder to induct older members into the elusive latticework. Where were the mutants when Loki attacked New York? Where were they when Ultron ravaged Sokovia in Avengers: Age of Ultron? These questions are gradually being answered in recent Marvel works. Some creative liberties have been taken, and some plots “retconned,” but overall, Marvel is pulling for an eventual mutant-MCU combination. So far, these are the confirmed mutants within the cinematic universe.

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Kamala Kahn Is a Mutant, Not Inhuman

     Marvel Studios

In a departure from the comics, Ms. Marvel season one established Kamala Khan as a mutant instead of an Inhuman. The series introduced a mysterious piece of heirloom jewelry from her grandmother (a bangle that bears a suspicious resemblance to Shang Chi’s seven rings). The bangle unlocked Kamala’s dormant powers.

With her fully realized powers, Ms. Marvel extends her limbs, heals, and alters her appearance. This plot opens the door for many other potential mutants – how many more have powers that require an artifact to be awakened?

Mr. Immortal Made a Hilarious Cameo in She-Hulk

She-Hulk introduced Mr. Immortal, a comedic client of the superhero law firm GLK & H. He is imbued with immortality – anything that would normally kill him fails to do so. Mr. Immortal approached Amelia (Renee Elise Goldberry) and Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga) for legal help with his very complicated marital past.

Rather than divorce his past partners, Mr. Immortal “died” and moved from relationship to relationship. Even though he might have been a minor character written in as fan service, his existence is proof of other mutants simply existing within the MCU.

Namor Is the MCU’s Oldest Mutant

Namor was introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the long-awaited sequel to Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther. Namor was rumored to be the villain of the recent premiere, which Marvel later confirmed while also confirming his mutant status. He is half Talokanil, half human, cementing him as a mutant. His mutant heritage imbues him with a slower aging process, superhuman speed and strength, and the power of flight, some of which are enhanced in water.

At this point in time, Namor remains the oldest mutant introduced. On top of that, his home of Talokan is a potential explanation for where the mutants have been all this time.

Wolverine and Deadpool Are Heading to the MCU

     20th Century Studios

Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) has endeavored to enter the MCU since the days of Avengers: Infinity War. His first origin film debuted in 2016, with a sequel to follow in 2018, sandwiching his origin story directly in the middle of MCU phase three. His movies made frequent mention of Professor X, Colossus, and many other non-MCU characters. That gave fans reason to believe that Deadpool would never be introduced in the MCU because to do so would be to introduce the mutants as well. That all changed with the announcement of Deadpool 3.

Not only is Deadpool coming to the MCU in his new movie, but he’s also bringing High Jackman’s Wolverine back to the big screen. Wade Wilson/Deadpool maintained a best-friends-but-maybe-enemies relationship throughout the comics (something that is mirrored in the real-life friendship between Ryan Reynolds and High Jackman).

In addition to their teasing rapport, the after-credit scene of Deadpool 2 showed Deadpool traveling back in time via Cable’s traveling device. There, he confronted Wolverine and teased their eventual, potential meeting at some point in the future.

At the time, that was a hilarious stunt, but now, the after-credit scene serves as the early comings of their on-screen reunion. Wolverine’s appearance in the MCU will predate the events of Logan; it is unclear whether that will remain canon.

Notable Potential Mutants

Whether fan service or an official introduction, She-Hulk presented El Aguila, a mutant in original comics. The show didn’t clarify how he gained his powers, so whether the writers retained his mutant status or created a new one is unclear. Additionally, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness featured Patrick Stewart as Professor X, a famous mutant from the X-Men franchise. Even though he is unquestionably a mutant, he is non-canon to the MCU because of his multiversal-variant status.

The mutant introductions so far show a marked effort from Marvel in their next phase of production. The writing proves that Marvel is seeking to introduce the characters in a way that preserves both the integrity of the characters and the overarching plot that Marvel’s phase four follows. With a stacked production calendar, mutants are sure to be the next big story in the MCU.