Marvel Have Already Shown How X-Men Could Enter The MCU

3. What Is The Terrigen Mist?

Back when the Disney-Fox rivalry was at its peak, an edict arrived at the offices of Marvel Comics requesting that both the X-Men and the Fantastic Four (whose onscreen rights belonged to Fox) be phased out of the Marvel Universe. The Four were the first to go, only mounting a proper comeback (coincidentally) this year, and then it came the X-Men's turn, with Marvel attempting to replace them with the infinitely less compelling (and inherently problematic) Inhumans.

Though the Inhumans are interesting in a great many respects, they're no mutants. They lack all the themes that make the X-Men so relatable to begin with, and though that's a conversation for another time, it's one worth repeating - irrespective of the fact their on-page resurgence could yet provide Disney with the perfect explanation as to why mutants have never been mentioned in the MCU.

In the comics, the Terrigen Mist acts as the catalyst for those of Inhuman blood to develop their powers. During Jonathan Hickman's Infinity Arc, Black Bolt detonates a Terrigen Bomb to ward off the forces of Thanos, which spreads throughout Earth's atmosphere. Every descendant of the Inhumans then gains powers of their own, the most famous of all being Kamala Khan, the new Ms. Marvel.

It's bad news for Marvel's Mutants though, as prolonged exposure leaves many de-powered, weakened, or even dead. Change one or two things about it, though, and you actually have the perfect way of introducing them into the MCU.