Loki season 2 director shuts down Marvel fans' wild X-Men theory: ‘Just a coincidence’
Exclusive: ‘There was no intention… with that imagery’
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Lokiseason 2 isn’t teasing the X-Men’s arrival in theMarvelCinematic Universe (MCU), according to one of its directors.
Speaking to TechRadar, Kasra Farahani – who, alongside directing this season’s third episode, isLoki’s production designer – shut down a wild fan theory concerning the X-Men’sMCUdebut.
Lokiseason 2debuted onDisney Pluson October 6 and, while fans were delighted to be reunited with the trickster god and his TVA allies, one X-Men-related discussion has dominated the scene over the last three weeks. Fans believeLokiis setting up the X-Men’s first appearance in Marvel’s cinematic juggernaut, with many suggesting a specific episode 1 Easter egg all-but-confirmed their hypothesis. The reference in question? A door that gives TVA employees access to theTemporal Loom– by way of a harpoon device, anyway – which resembles the door leading to Cerebro (Professor X’s mutant detector) in Fox’s X-Men movies.
Did this scene in ‘LOKI’ remind you of something? 👀 #Loki pic.twitter.com/gSQayVRFdXOctober 6, 2023
Marvel fans pointed to further evidence inLokiseason 2 episode 2. When the god of mischief and Mobius apprehend AWOL TVA agent X-5, the latter is seen standing in front of a brick wall with graffiti reading “All M are brothers” daubed on it. Again, viewers seemingly put two and two together, suggesting that the ‘M’ stood for ‘mutants’.
As fun as this theorizing is, you’ll be disappointed to learn that there’s no connection to be made betweenLokiseason 2 and its apparentX-Menreferences. Indeed, I asked Farahani about the possibility of this fan theory holding any weight – and he was unequivocal in his response to the suggestion.
“That I can definitely answer,” he said. “No, that’s just a coincidence. There was no intention from a production design standpoint to connect to any of that [X-Men] imagery.
Farahani’s comments aren’t what Marvel fans will want to read, but we know that the X-Men are coming to the MCU in the near future.
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The iconic superhero group has already been referenced on multiple occasions in the MCU.WandaVisionincluded a clear reference to Evan Peters' Quicksilver from the X-Men prequel films, while Madripoor – a location synonymous with the X-Men in Marvel comics – was visited by Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes inFalcon and the Winter Soldier.
In the months and years that have followed those 2021 TV shows, more obvious references have been made, including Professor X’s appearance inDoctor Strange 2, Kamala Khan being revealed as a mutant inMs Marvel’s season 1 finale, and Namor – historically another mutant – being the primary antagonist inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Finally, after numerous teases, the X-Men will also make their official MCU debut inDeadpool 3, one of theMarvel Phase 5movies that’s currently set to launch in theaters in 2024.Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine for one final runout(or so we’ve been led to believe), while online rumors have suggested other mutants from Fox’s defunct X-Men universe will cameo. Heck, there’s even speculation thatLokiseason 2 will actually set upDeadpool 3’s plot, depending on how the show’s latest season ends.
So yes, it’s disappointing to see thatLokiseason 2 hasn’t been teasing the X-Men’s arrival in its early episodes. Nevertheless, though, it could still play a big role in bringing them into the MCU. Watch this space, everyone.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
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