To be really honest, a narrow range of subject matters affects the fanbase of X-Men way more than the question of who will be cast for the next movies. It doesn’t matter ifyou’ree an old Fox films fan, an MCU reboot follower, or simply waiting for Storm to be played by a decent actress — the characters are what keep the franchise vibrant. Here is a tour down memory lane (and also into the future) of ten casting decisions that nailed the X-Men characters on screen and could still determine the fate of movies about mutants.
10. Lana Condor as Jubilee — The Spark That Deserves More
Comparing different versions of the character, one can find out that, as for the animated series, Jubilee has always been a fan favorite, while in the live-action series, her participation was somewhat limited. For example, the performance of Lana Condor in X-Men: Apocalypse was almost optimal casting, although the script didn’t allow almost expressive movement from her. Fans still hope that Marvel will allow Condor to portray Jubilee once again, so that the character can finally free the fireworks she got in comics.
9. Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler — A Bamfing Good Fit
Kodi Smit-McPhee’s version of the teleporting mutant won over the crowd. At the same time, the personality of the actor and his semi-comic book accurate look were perfectly in line with the concept of Kurt Wagner. In short, the essence of the character was not lost, and it was still there in the later films of the Fox series, where, unfortunately, the character was given less to do. To be honest, with just a little more space to let his talent out, Kodi could turn out to be the ultimate Nightcrawler.
8. Anna Paquin as Rogue — The One Who Never Got to Go Full Power
It is clear that Anna Paquin did a great job rendering Rogue’s fragility and her Southern charm, but things went a bit differently in the Fox version, as they didn’t allow her to become the same power-hungry and downright tough character as in the comics. Sooner or later, the audience will get to watch Rogue in all her might — no doubt, she will be absorbing powers and fighting at the same level as the big guys. Paquin did a commendable job of bringing the character’s foundation, and there are still those who believe that she needs to be given another shot at igniting Rogue’s inner strength.
7. Halle Berry & Alexandra Shipp as Storm — Weather Queens
Storm is among the most famous characters of Marvel, and both Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp were able to let us catch a glimpse of her grandeur. With her star power, Berry made the character of Storm known to the public, while Shipps’s interpretation was that of a young and fresh Ororo. Without a doubt, the scripts seemed to have underestimated the level of skills the character had, yet both artists were able to capture the character’s royal nature. Now, the audience is eagerly waiting for Storm to be given her rightful place in the MCU.
6. James Marsden as Cyclops — The Leader Left in the Shadows
The first impression that James Marsden gives is of a comic-like Cyclops—he looks like a character with a strong jaw and striking eyes, ready to take charge. The problem was that the films often gave him the sidelines instead of the lead roles, usually to the detriment of Wolverine’s character. Nevertheless, fans summed up Marsden’s interpretation as the most beloved one, and if given the opportunity, he would be the one to step up and be the leader of the X-Men with the most tactical moves and inspiring speeches.
5. Michael Fassbender & Ian McKellen as Magneto — Two Legends, One Role
Magneto is among the most puzzling characters in the Marvel universe, and both Ian McKellen as well as Michael Fassbender did an indelible job in their respective roles. To compare, McKellen’s sober mood and Fassbender’s vehement fire were two contrasting yet equally convincing depictions of an autistic character – Erik Lehnsherr. The two, somewhat, along with the almost unachievable standard of who will be next to put on the mask, spread the impact of their performances.
4. Patrick Stewart & James McAvoy as Professor X — Two Faces of the Dreamer
Charles Xavier is a role that Patrick Stewart was tailor-made for, as he brought to the character sagacity and empathy. Stewart’s younger, more tormented Professor X, full of charm and still thinking about the idea of cohabiting with mutants, was James McAvoy’s version that he shared with Stewart. Without having their confrontation with Magneto as their strongest point, their dynamic would not have been one of the most consistent of the franchise.
3. Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool — The Perfect Match
Over the whole course of time, it’s been impossible to decouple Ryan Reynolds from Deadpool. He is the one who especially worked to get the character the way he wanted it. Later, he made it successful at the box office. So succinctly, everything about the Mercenary with a Mouth—sarcasm, mayhem, and an unexpected heart—appears to be housed in the one person: Reynolds. Because of his distinct performance, it is even difficult to envisage that someone else will not wear the red costume in the future.
2. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine — The Standard-Bearer
Hugh Jackman, although taller and slimmer compared to his comic counterpart, still managed to become Wolverine for fans of the whole new generation. From the initial X-Men feature film made in 2000 up to the moment when he emotionally bids farewell in Logan, we can say that Jackman was absolutely incredible at capturing Logan’s humorous, as well as his vulnerable side. Even today, after more than two decades, the audiences are still falling for him. In fact, his performance in Deadpool & Wolverine has confirmed his return to the role, as there he remains the most versatile one.
1. The Future of X-Men Casting — Big Shoes to Fill
As Marvel Studios plans to integrate mutants into the MCU, the guessing game about who will portray the next Magneto, Professor X, and Storm is heating up. Giancarlo Esposito, Adrien Brody, and endless fan casts are the names that keep appearing. No matter who will be the ones to join the lineup, the thing that is going to be certain is that the X-Men heritage has been the work of daring casting decisions, and the right choices could be the beginning of another brilliant era of mutant movies.
The X-Men saga has had its ups and downs with storytelling, but in terms of casting, it has been spot on, giving us some of the most memorable performances in superhero cinema. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to Patrick Stewart’s Professor X are the characters that people associate most with the actors, and those performances became the benchmark for what came next.