What the MCU’s X-Men Needs to Learn From Bryan Singer’s Series

by

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the anticipated transformation of the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), following Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. The speculation about this new era for mutants, villains, and their interwoven narratives has been brewing ever since the legal hurdles were set – from waiting to use certain characters, letting contracts expire, to wrapping up existing storylines before unveiling a fresh wave of tales. With more pieces falling into place, and rumors suggesting their introduction post-Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, I, like many fans, am eagerly awaiting the new form these iconic heroes will take when they finally step onto our screens.

The Fox’s X-Men films paved an impressive and impactful route, albeit with complexities and a tangled timeline. Now that Disney is taking over, they aim to put their unique spin on it, distancing themselves from Bryan Singer’s controversial past. Given this change, a new perspective seems fitting. It has been 25 years since the initial X-Men film graced our screens, but its legacy continues to offer valuable lessons for the upcoming generation of mutants.

What Disney needs to do to ensure a successful X-Men MCU debut

In various theories, it’s unclear how mutants will fit into the movie universe, but we’ve already seen hints of their presence, such as Namor and Kamala Khan. Characters like Beast and Professor X from alternate universes have also made appearances. However, there are still many more characters to introduce to this large cast. Many fans are hoping for a strategy similar to the Avengers, gradually introducing a few heroes and developing them before releasing a full film focused on these characters. Instead of focusing too heavily on just two or three individuals (or over-relying on Wolverine), it would be beneficial to have a more balanced group of characters that even those unfamiliar with comics can recognize to some extent, thereby allowing more time to focus on the plot.

In other words, the X-Men movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might learn from the success of X-Men ’97 by featuring a robust cast and handling character introductions and departures more organically, much like in comic book series. The X-Men animated series offers an excellent model for clear storytelling, showing how to condense complex plots into manageable movie events or arcs that still feel complete. The choice of their initial adventure will set the tone and guide their future direction. It should be grand but not overly dense or confusing.

To create a faithful adaptation that appeals to long-time fans, it’s crucial to maintain the essence of characters and events from the original source material while also finding talented actors who can bring our beloved mutants to life on screen. Although Wolverine is iconic, it’s important not to solely rely on him, as finding an actor to match Hugh Jackman’s performance may take some time. Additionally, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen lent a sense of gravity and prestige to the genre with their portrayal of Charles and Erik, which made their confrontations and camaraderie all the more compelling. While name recognition might not be essential, it’s crucial to cast actors who can effectively convey the significance and emotional weight of these relationships. Lastly, I hope they give Cyclops and Storm the justice they deserve in this adaptation.

What Bryan Singer’s take on the franchise can teach Disney

The initial X-Men film remains impactful and paved the way for the evolution of its genre. It skillfully tackled a complex subject matter by focusing on key aspects while maintaining numerous interconnected elements and intriguing subplots. I particularly enjoy the school scenes, which introduce various students, hint at the X-Men’s diverse activities, establish love triangles, and subtly foreshadow Wolverine’s past without delving too deeply right away. The film is accessible to those unfamiliar with the X-Men universe, as most details are explained and relationships are implied. Characters like Wolverine and Rogue serve as newcomers for whom crucial information can be easily conveyed, making exposition feel less awkward. Logan’s protection of Rogue becomes his primary reason for staying involved, establishing his motivation and eliminating the need to prolong his potential departure until the climax, when we are left eagerly anticipating future journeys.

I prefer the first movie as it develops the entire story at a steady pace without hurrying to present new or popular plot points. Instead, it delves deep into the central conflicts between the X-Men and Magneto. Magneto stands alone as a significant threat, even with his Brotherhood of Mutants, yet it’s apparent that he poses the real danger. Erik Lehnsherr isn’t merely causing trouble; he’s driven by a fear that history will repeat itself, with mutants being confined to concentration camps. This fear fuels his intense passion, and he believes his crusade is justified due to his past traumas. Brief scenes, like the powerful opening and the number on his arm, underscore this villain’s motivation. While understanding a villain’s motives is crucial, this approach also highlights the societal issues that our heroes must confront.

“Well, what would you prefer, yellow spandex?”

The film likewise sets a distinctive mood, as the X-Men series tends to be more somber with significant implications and severe repercussions, while maintaining a minimal amount of humor and preserving some of the quirky comic book elements that have endeared the original content to fans. Achieving this balance – striking it in a way similar to the MCU without being an exact duplicate – will enable the movie to forge its own unique persona and appear more authentic.

This final section may be controversial as some people believe it negatively portrays the property, but the saga of mutants has consistently tackled various social issues. Characters like the X-Men and mutants in general are compelling because they are inherently distinct from ordinary humans, either through physical differences or extraordinary abilities, which creates an automatic source of conflict. Members of this evolutionary step beyond humanity are frequently met with fear and persecution, thus mirroring the experiences of readers who identify with these characters as heroes.

In a simpler and more conversational style: The struggle of characters who identify with the X-Gene – whether representing LGBTQ+ individuals, specific races, people with disabilities, those with real-life genetic conditions like albinism, or just outcasts in general – makes their stories more relatable to a wide audience. It’s crucial for viewers to see themselves reflected in these characters’ struggles, no matter how big or small they may seem. This element is what made the original X-Men movie so impactful and compelling; it touched our hearts just enough that we rooted for their success and wanted more of their stories. This aspect could serve as a guide for Disney when creating their X-Men universe within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Read More

2025-07-14 19:47