Two Live-Action X-Men Shows Released Within Months Of Each Other, But Are Now Ignored

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Recently, Disney’s integration of the X-Men universe (originally from Fox) into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a huge success, largely thanks to the concept of the multiverse. What used to be a separate series of films is now officially connected to the MCU through exciting crossovers, like the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine and the appearance of Patrick Stewart as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This has been a welcome sign to fans that the stories and characters from Fox’s X-Men films are still important.

While Marvel is now incorporating many of Fox’s former X-Men properties, not everything from that franchise has been included. Before Marvel’s success with Disney+ shows, Fox tried a similar approach with the X-Men, creating live-action TV series like Legion and The Gifted.

As a fan, I really loved both Legion and The Gifted when they came out in 2017. They were so different from each other, and from anything else out there, really pushing the boundaries of what superhero shows could be. It’s a shame they haven’t gotten the same level of attention as other X-Men adaptations, especially now that Disney and Marvel own the characters and are expanding the mutant universe. They both deserved more recognition for being so creative and well-received by critics.

Legion & The Gifted Have Both Been Forgotten In Marvel’s Multiverse Madness

When Disney bought Fox in 2019, it seemed like the end for the X-Men movie series. For a while, fans worried they wouldn’t see those characters on screen again. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s use of the multiverse has allowed the X-Men to make a comeback. With movies like Deadpool & Wolverine and the next Avengers film bringing back actors from the original X-Men movies, Marvel and Disney are now recognizing just how popular that franchise was.

It’s disappointing that Legion and The Gifted haven’t been mentioned at all in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as if they never happened. Both shows were really bold and unique. Legion, starring Dan Stevens as the complex and powerful David Haller (son of Charles Xavier), was one of the most visually inventive superhero series ever created. The Gifted, with Stephen Moyer and Amy Acker as parents protecting their mutant children, offered a realistic and thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by mutants in a prejudiced world.

As a critic, I find it baffling that these X-Men shows are largely ignored. They represent a really interesting turning point for the franchise, a move away from standard superhero blockbusters. A quick appearance by David Haller – Legion – in something like Avengers: Doomsday would instantly show how important these shows were, and connect Fox’s ambitious TV work to the current, Disney+-focused MCU. Right now, though, it feels like they simply don’t exist within that larger universe, which is a real shame.

Legion & The Gifted Are Both Overlooked As Live-Action X-Men Shows

The X-Men have a long and well-loved history on TV, but it’s mostly been through animated series. Shows like X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men ’97, and X-Men: Evolution are what most fans remember and consider the best versions of these characters. Even shows that didn’t last as long, such as Wolverine and the X-Men, are more talked about than the live-action X-Men shows.

It’s surprising that these shows haven’t had a bigger impact, considering how different they were from the main X-Men films. Instead of centering on Charles Xavier’s well-known team, both Legion and The Gifted looked at the broader world of mutants. Legion was a mind-bending, psychological story focused on one troubled mutant, while The Gifted explored family relationships and social issues. By showing how regular people dealt with extraordinary events, The Gifted emphasized themes often overlooked in the films.

Beyond their ties to the X-Men, both Legion and The Gifted are strong shows in their own right. Legion is often celebrated as one of the most original comic book adaptations ever created, thanks to its striking visuals and bold storytelling. However, despite these qualities, they’re often overlooked when discussing the X-Men’s impact on screen or the best superhero TV shows. Considering how common superhero shows are now, it’s important to remember that Legion and The Gifted were innovative for their time and deserve more attention than they get.

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2026-04-26 23:18