With an upcoming X-Men movie marking the team's debut in the MCU, Marvel has the opportunity to reintroduce a character who has been absent for 28 years: Jubilee. Despite making brief appearances in recent X-Men projects, Jubilee's role has often been reduced or completely removed from the movies. In some instances, she only made cameo appearances without even being named. This lack of visibility is surprising, considering Jubilee was a prominent character in the popular X-Men: The Animated Series.
It is worth noting that Jubilee played a significant role in the Generation X TV movie, which Fox had hoped would serve as a pilot for a series back in 1996, predating the film series. Unfortunately, the movie performed poorly and received negative reviews, leading Fox to cancel the planned series. However, it is interesting to think that if things had gone differently, Jubilee might have been a central figure in the franchise's on-screen adaptation. This further emphasizes the character's diminishing presence in subsequent releases.
Jubilee Has Been Cut & Sidelined In 2 X-Men Movies
Lana Condor as Jubilee in X-Men Apocalypse looking offscreen - Jubilee Has Been Cut & Sidelined In 2 X-Men Movies
In the original X-Men movies, Jubilee only appeared in brief cameos. She wasn't even named in the first X-Men movie because her scene was cut. In X2, Jubilee had another quick appearance, this time with a different actor named Kea Wong, who also appeared briefly in X-Men: The Last Stand. Jubilee was finally set to have a proper role in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Despite having concept art for Jubilee in Days of Future Past, she was ultimately removed from the movie. It wasn't until X-Men: Apocalypse that Jubilee finally had a more significant role, portrayed by Lana Condor. However, many of her scenes were still cut. Since her original appearance in Generation X, Jubilee has not been given the opportunity to play a major role in an X-Men movie. Hopefully, the MCU will correct this when the X-Men join the franchise.
Why The MCU Needs To Focus On Its Less Central Heroes
Wolverine reading an X-Men comic in Logan - Why The MCU Needs To Focus On Its Less Central Heroes
Audiences are already familiar with popular X-Men characters like Wolverine and Professor Xavier. However, the MCU timeline will introduce its own versions of these characters. It would be wise for Marvel to also focus on characters like Jubilee, who didn't receive as much attention from Fox. This would help Marvel's version stand out and show that mutants come in a variety of forms, not just the same few heroes and villains.
Marvel has found success by highlighting lesser-known characters in the past. Rocket Raccoon, for example, went from being a niche figure to a well-known household name. The MCU X-Men projects could do the same for characters like Jubilee, giving them a chance to shine and become fan favorites. This approach would make the MCU's X-Men feel fresh and distinct from previous iterations by Fox, making up for the lack of attention given to Jubilee in the past.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the unfortunate neglect of Jubilee in the X-Men movie franchise, despite her significant prominence in the animated series. Her absence or reduced role in the movies has been a glaring oversight, especially considering her potential as a compelling character. The MCU's upcoming X-Men introduction presents an opportunity to rectify this and showcase Jubilee's unique abilities and personality.
By focusing on lesser-known characters like Jubilee, the MCU can diversify its X-Men roster and distinguish itself from previous iterations. It would demonstrate the breadth and inclusivity of the mutant world, highlighting the variety of experiences and perspectives within the team. Giving Jubilee a more prominent role would not only be a satisfying nod to her dedicated fans but also enrich the overall narrative and make the MCU's X-Men truly stand out.
