Marvel Studios' Opportunity to Do Justice to the X-Men
Marvel Studios has the opportunity to revitalize the X-Men characters in a way that 20th Century Fox never quite achieved. The X-Men franchise under Fox spanned 13 feature films over two decades, introducing iconic mutant heroes and villains into live-action. However, the latter projects of the Fox franchise received criticism for their neglect of certain characters and loose adaptations of Marvel Comics' mutant storylines. With the MCU's X-Men reboot in the works, Marvel Studios has the chance to finally do justice to these exciting superheroes and villains.
Rebecca Romijn's Mystique being interrogated in Fox's X-Men Universe
Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 reverted the film rights of mutants and the X-Men to Marvel Studios, allowing for the integration of new characters into the ever-expanding MCU. This sets the stage for a promising future for the X-Men in the MCU, with the potential for more accurate character designs and superhero costumes that stay true to the source material.
Mystique in white costume with gun in Marvel Comics
Revamping Character Designs and Costumes
One of the key areas where Marvel Studios can excel in the MCU's X-Men reboot is in revamping character designs and superhero costumes. The previous adaptations by 20th Century Fox had notable shortcomings in this regard, which the MCU can address.
Mystique in red costume in Marvel Comics
Mystique, portrayed by both Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence, was subject to questionable decisions in the Fox universe, particularly regarding her costume. In Marvel Comics, Mystique regularly wears a white outfit, a stark contrast to her nude, blue form in the Fox franchise. The MCU's Mystique should sport a costume of some sort, a change that would align with her comic book depiction and add depth to the character's on-screen presence.
Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique in white costume in X-Men Apocalypse
Another character in need of a revamp is Apocalypse, whose appearance in Fox's X-Men Universe fell short of his comic-accurate portrayal. Oscar Isaac's depiction in X-Men: Apocalypse failed to capture the character's terrifying presence. With the Celestials already established in the MCU, there is potential for a more accurate adaptation of Apocalypse's backstory and design, aligning closely with the source material.
Oscar Isaac's Apocalypse yelling in X-Men Apocalypse
The MCU's treatment of characters like Darwin, Emma Frost, Storm, Rogue, Iceman, Jean Grey, and Wolverine provides an opportunity to showcase more faithful character designs and costumes, drawing inspiration from the rich history of these characters in Marvel Comics.
Iceman using full ability in X-Men The Last Stand
Exploring the Potential for MCU's X-Men
The MCU's integration of the X-Men opens up a world of possibilities for exploring the rich history and potential storylines of these characters. Storm, with her roots in Kenya and Wakanda, offers a chance for the MCU to delve into her African heritage, drawing inspiration from her comic book backstory. Additionally, characters like Rogue and Iceman, who were not fully realized in Fox's X-Men Universe, can now be given the spotlight they deserve, with the potential for more accurate depictions of their abilities and storylines.
Halle Berry's Storm in basic costume in Fox's X-Men Universe
The MCU's treatment of Jean Grey, a key member of the X-Men, presents an opportunity to showcase her powerful Phoenix abilities in a more compelling and stylish manner than Fox's previous attempts. Furthermore, the highly anticipated appearance of Wolverine in Deadpool 3 promises a comic-accurate costume for the iconic character, signaling a new era for the portrayal of mutants in the MCU.
Sophie Turner's Jean Grey with Phoenix Force in X-Men Dark Phoenix
