Highlights
- Deadpool & Wolverine
is set to usher in the X-Men era of the MCU and that means managing the nostalgia carefully. - Fox’s X-Universe was undeniably influential and had phenomenal longevity, but it had more lows than highs.
- The Merc with a Mouth has the chance to give the 20-year run of the Fox X-Universe an incredible send-off while the MCU looks to the future.
As a long-time fan of the X-Men comics, I’ve watched with both excitement and disappointment as Fox Studios brought the mutant superteam to life on the big screen. Having grown up reading the classic stories of Claremont and Byrne, I was thrilled when Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class breathed new life into the franchise in 2011. The period setting, stylish direction, and faithful tribute to the original source material were a perfect homage to the 1960s roots of the X-Men.
In 2024, the movie scene is expected to be ruled by the classic X-Men era that some believed had come to an end. It’s quite intriguing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which has achieved tremendous success, is planning its major comeback next year with the Fox version of Marvel stories. The unexpected twist is that Deadpool, known for its unconventional humor, will be spearheading this transition. Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool isn’t just joining the MCU storyline, but he’s bringing essential components of the Fox era along, most notably Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
In this version, I’d suggest:
Beginnings Of X
During the 1990s, Marvel experienced tough times with declining sales and a shrinking reader base. However, this decade was also marked by the remarkable success of the X-Men. Chris Claremont and Jim Lee’s X-Men #1 from 1991 remains the highest-selling comic book issue ever published. Fox recognized the potential in this trend and secured the film rights in 1993, eventually releasing the first X-Men movie in 2000.
As a gamer, I’d say: The 2000 version of X-Men was an okay film for its time, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. With just a few X-Men and a small group of Evil Mutants from the Brotherhood, we reached a tense standoff at the Statue of Liberty – this was all happening 20 years before the MCU made their mark on the landmark. The first X-Men movie had some areas for improvement, like a few missing set pieces. But they nailed the casting! Twenty-five years later, I still picture Hugh Jackman whenever I think of Wolverine – the iconic Canadian mutant in my mind’s eye.
Some Of The Greatest Comic Book Movies Ever Made
The X-Universe series by Fox boasts some of the finest comic book adaptations. For instance, “X2: X-Men United” surpassed its predecessor in multiple aspects, offering a captivating narrative, visually appealing action sequences, and an exhilarating cliffhanger that left every comic book enthusiast on the edge of their seats.
Following the finish of the initial three films in 2011, “X-Men: First Class” by Matthew Vaughn stood out as a trailblazer. He subtly restarted the series by going back in time and skillfully employed a vintage atmosphere to revitalize the X-Men. Despite controversy over its villain, it stayed true to the 1960s origins of the team. Bryan Singer, who initiated the franchise, came back to align the storylines and enhance the conclusion of the original trilogy’s ending. The timing was ideal for bringing Claremont’s iconic narrative, “Days of Future Past,” to life on screen. Using various time periods – a bleak future and gritty 1970s – it delivered the thrilling X-Men action that fans had been eagerly anticipating.
By 2013, Jackman’s Wolverine had branched out from the main X-Men films with “The Wolverine.” This installment revitalized the character before the groundbreaking R-rated “Logan” (2017) raised the bar for gritty comic book movies.
As I delved deeper into gaming with Fox X-franchise’s expansion, the studio got bolder with their choices. The Deadpool movies brilliantly followed suit, learning from their fourth-wall-breaking muse. This game-like experience proved impossible to resist for moviegoers, and now Disney is putting its faith in it.
Fox effectively transitioned the franchise to television with generally favorable outcomes, largely due to the distinction kept between the TV and film realms. Notably, the two seasons of “The Gifted” represented a valiant effort to adapt the mutant tale for the small screen. However, it was FX’s “Legion,” led by Noah Hawley as showrunner and featuring Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza, that truly shone. Spanning three series, this thought-provoking program maintained its autonomy within the larger X-Men universe.
The Lows Of The Fox X-Men Universe
Regrettably, the remarkable peaks of the Fox X-Universe were equaled by some less-than-impressive valleys.
The harsh reality set in as the final installment of the X-Men trilogy, so artfully established by X2, was mishandled. Brett Ratner stepped in as director from Bryan Singer for the underwhelming X-Men: The Last Stand. The film featured questionable dialogue, clumsy special effects, and an unusually tame Phoenix, leaving many fearing the end of the franchise until the prequel series rescued it.
I was excitedly looking forward to the next installment of the “First Class” X-Men series, expecting it to build upon the success of “Days of Future Past.” However, much like what happened with the original trilogy after its peak with “The Two Towers,” “Apocalypse” turned out to be a disappointment. The hype surrounding this comic book disaster movie set in the ’80s failed to deliver when it came to bringing the iconic and powerful villain, Apocalypse, to life on screen.
In a surprising turn of events, the revamped timeline surpassed the original X-Men series by ending with “Dark Phoenix,” leaving fans feeling that the franchise, which once boasted an impressive roster, had lost its charm, flair, and connection to the comic books. The final installment underperformed at the box office, earning the lowest global revenue for any X-Men film up until then. This disappointing record was eventually broken, but it’s best not to dwell on “The New Mutants,” which, despite a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is a topic best avoided (although its score does surpass “Dark Phoenix”‘ abysmal 22%).
In other parts, the enthusiasm for the moving portrayal of “Logan” in the well-known comic tale “Old Man Logan” by fans continues. However, they were fortunate that this version of the mutant was brought to life on screen. The initial attempt to create the “X-Men” origin films encountered a significant setback with “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” This uninspired and bland origin story for the wild antihero poorly handled fan favorites like Deadpool, leaving a disappointing taste. Fox learned from its errors, leading to the successful redemption of both Wolverine and Deadpool. Marvel Studios holds great expectations for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” but they must avoid repeating past mistakes.
The Future Of X
Disney has shown a willingness to explore the rich history of the X-Men, as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of X-Men 97. The X-Men possess limitless potential, and Marvel Studios would be wise to delve into the comics for inspiration. The Krakoan Age, spearheaded by Jonathan Hickman, is already regarded as a contemporary classic. Looking further back, Cullen Bunn’s X-Men Blue storyline and Grant Morrison’s New X-Men era offer intriguing possibilities. Even before these eras, there are many untapped aspects from Chris Claremont’s groundbreaking run that go beyond Days of Future Past.
X-Men stands out among other popular comic book franchises for its rich source material, thanks to Fox’s dedication over the past two decades. Unlike Sony’s Spider-Man and WB’s Batman, the X-Universe has remained consistent, providing a solid foundation for storytelling. However, this consistency means that audiences have only experienced one particular vision of this universe on screen. While the Fox era significantly contributed to the success of comic book movies, generating over $6 billion in revenue, Deadpool’s upcoming encounters with the Time Variance Authority offer an opportunity to surpass and innovate beyond the past.
As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that in Deadpool & Wolverine, we’ll be treated to numerous cameos and nods to beloved characters from the past X-Men films. With the witty Quicksilver references of Wandavision, Professor X’s poignant departure in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Beast making a recent appearance in the mid-credit scene of The Marvels, it feels like we’re on the brink of giving that iconic era the grand farewell it truly deserves within the expanding MCU multiverse.
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2024-07-17 01:05