A Reel 20: X-MEN

“Mutation. It is the key to our evolution.”

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of Bryan Singer’s X-MEN. 

Based upon Marvel Comics’ famed property of super-powered mutants, and often regarded as the film that launched our current era of superhero films, X-MEN began its mutation to cinema as far back as 1984, when Orion Pictures held an option on the rights. Development stalled when Orion hit financial problems, and by 1989 creator Stan Lee was in talks with director James Cameron (TERMINATOR), to get the project going again. The project went through several versions and personnel, and a 1996 script was close to going before cameras; a version that focused on the heroes with no plans for the villains until the second film. 

Over the next few years, directors such as Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR), Robert Rodriguez (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN), and Paul W.S. Anderson (MORTAL KOMBAT), were considered. The job would eventually go to Bryan Singer, who had just turned in a hit with the action mystery film THE USUAL SUSPECTS. Singer brought in new writers, and a final script which added villains and added layers of depth with civil rights issues, was green-lighted. 

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe (GLADIATOR), was first considered for the role of the self-healing, clawed hero Wolverine. Crowe turned it down, and recommended the role to his friend, then-unknown Hugh Jackman. The rest of the cast, which could be considered to be an ensemble by today’s standards, included Patrick Stewart as Prof. Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen as Dr. Jean Grey, James Marsden as Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Msytique, Tyler Maine as Sabertooth, Ray Park of THE PHANTOM MENACE fame as Toad, and Anna Paquin as Rogue. Filming began in September 1999 and wrapped in March of 2000. Michael Kamen would provide the score. 

X-MEN would have its premier on Ellis Island on July 12, 2000 (which was also the site of the climactic battle in the film), prior to its wide release a couple of days later. Reviews were positive, and a healthy box office take would make it the eighth-highest grossing film of the year. It would be nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, and would win several at the Saturn Awards, including Best Science Fiction Film. 

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With so many superhero offerings from Marvel and DC Comics these days, it’s hard to remember a time when cinemas avoided costumed heroes like the plague. In the 1990’s, the industry was reeling after two consecutive disastrous BATMAN films, and no one wanted anything to do with comic book properties. All that changed in 2000 with X-MEN, which not only provided solid entertainment, but by introducing civil rights issues into the mix, gave the film an important, adult-layer which makes it very relevant today. It wasn’t just about good-guys vs. bad-guys, but society vs. those who are different. It paved the way for what Marvel would do with their massive Cinematic Universe years later, and even DC took a page out that book with their attempt at connected films. The true legacy of X-MEN is that it reignited an interest in superhero films, an interest that continues to this day. It also brought instant fame to Hugh Jackman, who, along with Patrick Stewart…would reprise their characters over the next 17 years. Prior to 2000, fans had been waiting a long time to see their favorite superheroes on the big screen done right, and with X-MEN their prayers were answered. 

“Let’s just say God works too slowly.”