X-Men (film series)

X-Men
Produced by	Lauren Shuler Donner
Production companies	20th Century Fox Marvel Entertainment The Donners' Company
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.261 billion (9 films)
Box office	$4.3 billion (9 films)

The X-Men film series is an American series of superhero films based on the fictional superhero team of the same name, who originally appeared in a series of comic books created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and published by Marvel Comics. 20th Century Fox obtained the film rights to the characters in 1994, and after numerous drafts, Bryan Singer was hired to direct X-Men (2000) and its sequel, X2 (2003), while Brett Ratner directed X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

After each film earned higher box office grosses than its predecessor, several spin-off films were released, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011) and The Wolverine (2013). X-Men: Days of Future Past, a sequel to both X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: First Class, was released in 2014. Deadpool and X-Men: Apocalypse followed in 2016.

X-Men, X2, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past and the spin-offs The Wolverine and Deadpool were all met with positive reviews, with X-Men: Days of Future Past as the best received film in the series. In the cases of X-Men and X2, critics especially highlighted their dark, realistic tones and subtexts dealing with discrimination and intolerance, while Deadpool was highlighted for its "faithful" interpretation of the source material and for its R rating. X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men: Apocalypse were met with mixed reviews from critics.

With nine films released, the X-Men film series is the seventh-highest-grossing film franchise, having grossed over US$4.3 billion worldwide. It is set to continue with the release of Logan in 2017.

Films

X-Men (2000)

The film introduces Wolverine and Rogue into the conflict between Professor Xavier's X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto. Magneto intends to mutate world leaders at a United Nations summit with a machine he has built to bring about acceptance of mutantkind, but Xavier realizes this forced mutation will only result in their deaths.

In 1994, 20th Century Fox and producer Lauren Shuler Donner bought the film rights to the X-Men.^[1] Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write, and James Cameron expressed interest in producing.^[2] Eventually, Bryan Singer signed on to direct in July 1996. Although he was not a comic book fan, Singer was fascinated by the analogies of prejudice and discrimination that X-Men offered.^[1] John Logan, Joss Whedon, Ed Solomon, Christopher McQuarrie, and David Hayter wrote the script, with Hayter receiving sole credit.^[1][3] Principal photography began in September 1999 in Toronto, Canada, and ended in March 2000.^[4] The film was released on July 14, 2000.

X2 (2003)

In the film, Colonel William Stryker brainwashes and questions the imprisoned Magneto about Professor Xavier's mutant-locating machine, Cerebro. Stryker attacks the X-Mansion and brainwashes Xavier into locating every mutant on the planet to kill them. The X-Men must team up with the Brotherhood to prevent Stryker's worldwide genocide.

Hayter and Zak Penn were hired to write their own scripts for the sequel, which Singer would pick, with an aim to release the film in December 2002.^[5][6] Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris were hired to re-write the script in February 2002, writing around 26 drafts and 150 on set.^[7] Principal photography began in June 2002 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in November 2002. The film was released on May 2, 2003.^[5]

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

In the film, a pharmaceutical company has developed a suppressor of the mutant gene, provoking controversy in the mutant community. Magneto declares war on the humans and retrieves his own weapon: Phoenix, who is the resurrected former X-Man Jean Grey. A final battle between the X-Men (now led by Storm) and the Brotherhood ensues, and Wolverine must accept that in order to stop Grey, he will have to kill her.

Singer initially intended to shoot the film back-to-back with a fourth film, though he left in 2004 to direct Superman Returns.^[8][9] Penn and Simon Kinberg were hired the following month. Whedon's Astonishing X-Men story "Gifted", featuring a mutant cure, was suggested for the primary story. Matthew Vaughn came on board as director in February 2005^[10] but left due to the rushed production schedule.^[11] Brett Ratner was later hired as director in June.^[12] Principal photography began in August 2005 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in January 2006.^[13] The film was released on May 26, 2006.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

The film is a prequel and a spin-off focusing on the character Wolverine and his relationship with his half-brother Victor Creed, as well his time with Stryker's Team X, before and shortly after his skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal adamantium.

David Benioff was hired to write the screenplay for the spin-off film Wolverine in October 2004.^[14] Hugh Jackman became producer as well as star and worked with Benioff on the script.^[15] Ratner was negotiated by the studio to take the helm of Wolverine after directing X-Men: The Last Stand, but no agreement was made.^[16] In July 2007, Gavin Hood was hired as director. Principal photography began in January 2008 in Queenstown, New Zealand, and ended in May.^[17] The film was released on May 1, 2009.

X-Men: First Class (2011)

The film is a prequel set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and focuses on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr and the origin of their groups — the X-Men and the Brotherhood, respectively.^[18]

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner first thought of a prequel based on the young X-Men during the production of X2, and later producer Kinberg suggested to 20th Century Fox an adaptation of the comic-book series X-Men: First Class.^[19][20] Singer signed on to direct the film in December 2009; however, in March 2010 it was announced that Singer would be producing instead of directing.^[21] Vaughn, who was previously attached to direct X-Men: The Last Stand, became the director and co-wrote the final script with his writing partner, Jane Goldman.^[20] The film superseded a planned X-Men Origins: Magneto, and the Writer's Guild of America arbitration still credited Magneto writer Sheldon Turner for the film's story.^[22] Principal photography began in August 2010 in London, England, and ended in December. The film was released on June 3, 2011.

The Wolverine (2013)

Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the film features Wolverine heading to Japan for a reunion with a soldier named Ichirō Yashida whose life he saved years before. Wolverine must defend the man's granddaughter Mariko Yashida from all manner of ninja and Yakuza assassins.^[23][24]

Christopher McQuarrie, who went uncredited for his work on X-Men, was hired to write the screenplay for the second Wolverine film in August 2009.^[25] Darren Aronofsky was chosen to direct the film, though bowed out, stating the project would keep him out of the country for too long.^[26] James Mangold was later chosen to direct the film.^[27] Mark Bomback was then hired to rewrite McQuarrie's script.^[28] Principal photography began in August 2012 in Sydney, Australia, and ended in November.^[29] The film was released on July 26, 2013.^[30]

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Set years after the events of The Wolverine, the film features the cast of the original X-Men trilogy and X-Men: First Class.^[31] The story, inspired by Chris Claremont and John Byrne's X-Men comic book storyline "Days of Future Past", features Wolverine going back in time to 1973 to prevent an assassination that, if carried out, will lead to the creation of a new weapons system called the Sentinels that threatens the existence of mutants — and potentially, all of humanity.^[32]

Matthew Vaughn was attached to direct the film but left in October 2012 to focus on the film Kingsman: The Secret Service.^[33] Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films and produced X-Men: First Class, replaced Vaughn as the director of the film.^[34] The screenplay was written by Kinberg.^[35] Principal photography began in April 2013 in Montreal, Canada, and ended in August.^[36] The film was released on May 23, 2014.^[37]

Deadpool (2016)

In the film, former Special Forces operative Wade Wilson is subjected to an experiment that leaves him with new abilities. He adopts the alter ego Deadpool to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.^[38]

In May 2000, Marvel Studios attempted to produce a Deadpool film as part of a distribution deal with Artisan Entertainment.^[39] However, by 2004, Marvel was developing the film with New Line Cinema. David S. Goyer was set to write and direct and courted actor Ryan Reynolds for the lead role, but lost interest within months in favor of other projects.^[40][41][42] 20th Century Fox acquired Deadpool the following year after New Line placed it in turnaround and was considering the spin-off in the development of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with Reynolds being cast for the role.^[40] After the opening weekend success of X-Men Origins: Wolverine in May 2009, Fox lent Deadpool out to writers with Donner acting as a producer.^[43] Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were hired to write the script in January 2010.^[44] Robert Rodriguez was sent a draft of the screenplay the following June but did not pursue it, and Adam Berg emerged as a top contender to direct.^[45][46] In April 2011, visual effects specialist Tim Miller was hired to direct.^[47] Principal photography began in March 2015 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in May.^[48][49] The film was released on February 12, 2016, to both critical and commercial success.^[50]

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

In the film, En Sabah Nur, the first and most powerful mutant, awakens after thousands of years. He is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven, with the help of Professor X, must lead the X-Men to stop their nemesis and save mankind from destruction.^[51]

In December 2013, Singer announced the upcoming X-Men film, titled X-Men: Apocalypse, a sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past. Directed by Singer from a script by Simon Kinberg, Dan Harris, and Michael Dougherty, the film is said to focus on the origin of the mutants.^[52][53] Kinberg said that it will take place in 1983 and will complete a trilogy that began with X-Men: First Class.^[54][55] Principal photography began in April 2015 in Montreal, Canada, and ended in August.^[56][57] The film was released on May 27, 2016, in North America.^[58]

Logan (2017)

In the film, Logan and Professor Charles Xavier must protect a young girl named Laura Kinney, a female clone of Wolverine, who is being hunted by sinister forces.^[59][60]

By November 2013, 20th Century Fox had begun negotiations for the treatment for another solo film starring Wolverine with director James Mangold while Donner is attached to produce.^[61] Mangold has said that it will be inspired by other Wolverine stories from the comic books and it will be made after X-Men: Apocalypse.^[62][63] In March 2014, David James Kelly was hired to write the script. In April 2015, Michael Green was hired to work on the film's script.^[64][65] The film will mark as Hugh Jackman's final performance as Wolverine.^[66] Principal photography commenced in May 2016 for a March 3, 2017 release.^[67]

In development

• In October 2014, Josh Zetumer was hired to write the screenplay for a film about the character Remy LeBeau / Gambit based on the treatment by comic-book writer Chris Claremont. In June 2015, Rupert Wyatt was hired to direct but left in September due to schedule conflicts.^[68] In November, Doug Liman was in final negotiations to direct the film.^[69] The film will star Channing Tatum in the lead role. Donner, Kinberg, Tatum and Reid Carolin are attached as producers.^[70] Kinberg said that he hopes to start filming in spring 2016.^[71] Principal photography is scheduled to commence in late 2016, while filming is reported to start at the beginning of Spring 2017.^[72][73][74] In August 2016, Liman left the project to direct Dark Universe.^[75] It was announced that filming will start with a new filmmaker.^[76]

• In May 2015, Josh Boone was hired to direct and write a film adaptation of The New Mutants comic-book series. Acting as a spin-off to the X-Men films, the film will be written by Boone and Knate Gwaltney, while Donner and Kinberg are attached to produce.^[77] In May 2016, Boone confirmed characters that will appear in the film such as Illyana Rasputin / Magik, Rahne Sinclair / Wolfsbane, Danielle "Dani" Moonstar / Mirage, Samuel "Sam" Guthrie / Cannonball, Roberto da Costa / Sunspot, and Warlock. Kinberg has stated that the film will be very loyal to the comics.^[78] Professor X is confirmed to make an appearance in the film, while filming potentially begins in early 2017.^[73][79] In August 2016, Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber were hired to write the script.^[80] It was announced that filming will start the following spring.^[76] In November of 2016, it was confirmed via official storyboard animatic that Demon Bear will be the main villain of the film. In the same report it was confirmed that Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nat Wolff are in negotiations to portray Rahne Sinclair / Wolfsbane, Illyana Rasputin / Magik, and Samuel "Sam" Guthrie / Cannonball, respectively. Lockheed will appear in the film as a companion to Magik. The film is currently targeting a Spring 2018 release.^[81]

• In September 2015, Kinberg said that a sequel for Deadpool was in development.^[82] By the release of Deadpool, 20th Century Fox had already greenlit the sequel, with Rheese and Wernick returning to write, and Miller being looked at to return as director, as he was working on the script at the time.^[83] According to the after-credits scene of the first film, the character Nathan Summers / Cable will appear in the film.^[84] In October 2016, Miller left production of the film due to creative differences with Reynolds and was replaced by David Leitch in November as the director.^[85][76][86]

• In May 2016, Kinberg said the next X-Men film will be set in the 1990s.^[87] He also acknowledged the possibility of re-adapting "The Dark Phoenix Saga" for the new timeline, which had originally been a part of the first X-Men trilogy films.^{[88][89][76][90]}

• In 2013, 20th Century Fox hired Jeff Wadlow to write a film adaptation of the X-Men spin-off comic-book series X-Force, with Donner attached to produce.^[91] Mark Millar, the creative consultant for 20th Century Fox's Marvel Comics based films, stated that the film will feature five characters as protagonists.^[92] After the release of Deadpool, Reynolds felt that Deadpool would soon be in an X-Force film, while Kinberg stated that there was potential for X-Force to be R-rated like Deadpool.^[93][94] Kinberg has since reportedly been working on another draft of the script.^{[95][96][97][76]} In November 2016, Fox announced that a third Deadpool film is in early development stages and will feature the X-Force team assembling.^[76]

Recurring characters

List indicator(s)

• This table only shows characters that have appeared in three or more films in the series.
• A dark grey cell indicates that the character was not in the film or that the character's presence in the film has yet to be announced.
• A ^Y indicates a role as a younger version of the character.
• An ^O indicates a role as an older version of the character.
• A ^U indicates an uncredited role.
• A ^C indicates a cameo role.
• A ^V indicates a voice-only role.
• An ^A indicates an appearance through archival footage or stills.

Character	Film
	X-Men	X2	X-Men: The Last Stand	X-Men Origins: Wolverine	X-Men: First Class	The Wolverine	X-Men: Days of Future Past	Deadpool	X-Men: Apocalypse	Logan	Untitled Deadpool sequel
James "Logan" Howlett Wolverine Weapon X	Hugh Jackman			Hugh Jackman, Troye SivanY	Hugh JackmanUC	Hugh Jackman			Hugh JackmanUC	Hugh Jackman
Charles Xavier Professor X	Patrick Stewart			Patrick StewartC	James McAvoy, Laurence BelcherY	Patrick StewartUC	Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Laurence BelcherYA		James McAvoy	Patrick Stewart
Erik Lehnsherr Magneto	Ian McKellen, Brett MorrisY	Ian McKellen			Michael Fassbender, Bill MilnerY	Ian McKellenUC	Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender		Michael Fassbender, Bill MilnerYA
Scott Summers Cyclops	James Marsden			Tim Pocock			James MarsdenC		Tye Sheridan
Jean Grey Phoenix	Famke Janssen		Famke Janssen, Haley RammY			Famke Janssen	Famke JanssenC		Sophie Turner
Ororo Munroe Storm	Halle Berry					Halle BerryA	Halle Berry		Alexandra Shipp
Raven Darkhölme Mystique	Rebecca Romijn				Jennifer Lawrence, Morgan LilyY, Rebecca RomijnO		Jennifer Lawrence, Morgan LilyYA		Jennifer Lawrence
Bobby Drake Iceman	Shawn Ashmore						Shawn Ashmore
Marie Rogue	Anna Paquin						Anna Paquin
Piotr "Peter" Rasputin Colossus	Donald MackinnonC	Daniel Cudmore					Daniel Cudmore	Stefan KapičićV
Kitty Pryde Shadowcat	Sumela KayC	Katie StuartC	Ellen Page				Ellen Page
John Allerdyce Pyro	Alexander BurtonC	Aaron Stanford
Jubilation Lee Jubilee	Katrina FlorenceC	Kea WongC							Lana Condor
Henry "Hank" McCoy Beast		Steve BacicC	Kelsey Grammer		Nicholas Hoult		Nicholas Hoult, Kelsey GrammerOUC		Nicholas Hoult
William Stryker		Brian Cox		Danny Huston			Josh Helman, Brian CoxAO		Josh Helman
Moira MacTaggert			Olivia Williams		Rose Byrne				Rose Byrne
Wade Wilson Deadpool Weapon XI				Ryan Reynolds, Scott Adkins (Weapon XI)				Ryan Reynolds			Ryan Reynolds
Alexander "Alex" Summers Havok					Lucas Till		Lucas Till		Lucas Till

Crew

Film	Director	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Executive producer(s)	Composer	Director of photography	Editor(s)
X-Men	Bryan Singer	Screenplay by: David Hayter Story by: Tom DeSanto, Bryan Singer	Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter	Avi Arad, Stan Lee, Richard Donner, Tom DeSanto	Michael Kamen	Newton Thomas Sigel	Steven Rosenblum, Kevin Stitt, John Wright
X2		Screenplay by: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, David Hayter Story by: Bryan Singer, Zak Penn, David Hayter		Avi Arad, Stan Lee, Bryan Singer, Tom DeSanto	John Ottman		John Ottman
X-Men: The Last Stand	Brett Ratner	Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn	Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Avi Arad	Kevin Feige, Stan Lee, John Palermo	John Powell	Dante Spinotti	Mark Goldblatt, Mark Helfrich, Julia Wong
X-Men Origins: Wolverine	Gavin Hood	David Benioff, Skip Woods	Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, John Palermo	Richard Donner, Stan Lee	Harry Gregson-Williams	Donald M. McAlpine	Nicholas De Toth, Megan Gill
X-Men: First Class	Matthew Vaughn	Screenplay by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn Story by Sheldon Turner, Bryan Singer	Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Gregory Goodman	Stan Lee, Josh McLaglen, Tarquin Pack	Henry Jackman	John Mathieson	Eddie Hamilton, Lee Smith
The Wolverine	James Mangold	Mark Bomback, Scott Frank	Lauren Shuler Donner, Hutch Parker	Stan Lee, Joe Caracciolo, Jr.	Marco Beltrami	Ross Emery	Michael McCusker
X-Men: Days of Future Past	Bryan Singer	Screenplay by Simon Kinberg Story by Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman	Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker	Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell, Josh McLaglen	John Ottman	Newton Thomas Sigel	John Ottman
Deadpool	Tim Miller	Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick	Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Ryan Reynolds	Stan Lee, Jonathon Komack Martin, Rhett Reese, Aditya Sood, Paul Wernick	Junkie XL	Ken Seng	Julian Clarke
X-Men: Apocalypse	Bryan Singer	Screenplay by Simon Kinberg Story by Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris	Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker	Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell, Josh McLaglen	John Ottman	Newton Thomas Sigel	John Ottman, Michael Louis Hil
Logan	James Mangold	Screenplay by Michael Green Scott Frank James Mangold Story by David James Kelly James Mangold	Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker	Stan Lee	Cliff Martinez	John Mathieson	Michael McCusker
Untitled Deadpool sequel	David Leitch	Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick

Reception

Box office performance

Film	Release date		Box office gross			All time ranking		Production budget	Ref.
	United States	Other territories	North America	Other territories	Worldwide	North America	Worldwide
X-Men	July 14, 2000	July 13, 2000	$157,299,717	$139,039,810	$296,339,527	276	381	$75 million	[98]
X2	May 2, 2003	April 30, 2003	$214,949,694	$192,761,855	$407,711,549	147	224	$110 million	[99]
X-Men: The Last Stand	May 26, 2006	May 24, 2006	$234,362,462	$224,997,093	$459,359,555	118	185	$210 million	[100]
X-Men Origins: Wolverine	May 1, 2009	April 29, 2009	$179,883,157	$193,179,707	$373,062,864	214	255	$150 million	[101]
X-Men: First Class	June 3, 2011	June 1, 2011	$146,408,305	$207,215,819	$353,624,124	315	289	$160 million	[102]
The Wolverine	July 26, 2013	July 24, 2013	$132,556,852	$282,271,394	$414,828,246	384	216	$120 million	[103]
X-Men: Days of Future Past	May 23, 2014	May 21, 2014	$233,921,534	$513,941,241	$747,862,775	120	72	$200 million	[104]
Deadpool	February 12, 2016	February 10, 2016	$363,070,709	$419,541,446	$782,612,155	32	63	$58 million	[105]
X-Men: Apocalypse	May 27, 2016	May 18, 2016	$155,442,489	$388,443,405	$543,885,894	284	139	$178 million	[106]
Total			$7009181789491900000♠1,817,894,919	$7009256087390000000♠2,560,873,900	$7009437876881900000♠4,378,768,819			$1.261 billion	[107]

The first three X-Men films and Deadpool set opening records in North America: X-Men had the highest July opening yet,^[108] while X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand earned the fourth-highest opening weekends yet and Deadpool got the largest opening weekend in February.^{[109][110][111]} The records for the first three films have since been surpassed. The next three X-Men films after X-Men: The Last Stand opened lower than their predecessor and didn't set opening records.^[112] In North America, Deadpool is the highest-grossing film in the series, and it also has the highest opening weekend.^[107][111] Outside North America, X-Men: Days of Future Past has the highest opening weekend and is the highest-grossing film in the series.^[107] Worldwide, Deadpool is the highest-grossing film in the series.^[107]

The X-Men film series is the second-highest-grossing film series based on Marvel Comics characters after Marvel Cinematic Universe.^[113] In North America, it is the seventh-highest-grossing film franchise, having earned over $1.8 billion.^[114] Worldwide, it is the seventh-highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed over $4.3 billion.^[107]

Critical and public response

Film	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic	CinemaScore
X-Men	81% (166 reviews)[115]	64 (33 reviews)[116]	A−[117]
X2	86% (235 reviews)[118]	68 (37 reviews)[119]	A[117]
X-Men: The Last Stand	58% (232 reviews)[120]	58 (38 reviews)[121]	A−[117]
X-Men Origins: Wolverine	38% (253 reviews)[122]	40 (39 reviews)[123]	B+[117]
X-Men: First Class	86% (272 reviews)[124]	65 (38 reviews)[125]	B+[117]
The Wolverine	69% (238 reviews)[126]	60 (43 reviews)[127]	A−[117]
X-Men: Days of Future Past	91% (286 reviews)[128]	74 (43 reviews)[129]	A[117]
Deadpool	84% (274 reviews)[130]	65 (49 reviews)[131]	A[117]
X-Men: Apocalypse	48% (274 reviews)[132]	52 (48 reviews)[133]	A−[134]

Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe praised the first three X-Men films as "more than a cash-guzzling wham-bang Hollywood franchise... these three movies sport philosophy, ideas, a telethon-load of causes, and a highly elastic us-versus-them allegory." Morris praised X-Men: The Last Stand for "put[ting] the heroes of a mighty summer blockbuster in a rare mortal position. Realism at this time of year? How unorthodox!"^[135] Roger Ebert gave the films mostly positive reviews, but criticized them for the amount of mutants, stating "their powers are so various and ill-matched that it's hard to keep them all on the same canvas."^[136]

The first two films were highly praised due to their cerebral tone. However, when director Bryan Singer left the series, many criticized his successor, Brett Ratner. Colin Colvert of the Star Tribune felt "Singer's sensitivity to [the discrimination themes] made the first two X-Men films surprisingly resonant and soulful for comic-based summer extravaganzas... Singer is adept at juggling large casts of three-dimensional characters, Ratner makes shallow, unimaginative bang-ups."^[137] James Berardinelli felt, "X-Men: The Last Stand isn't as taut or satisfying as X-Men 2, but it's better constructed and better paced than the original X-Men. The differences in quality between the three are minor, however; despite the change in directors, there seems to be a single vision."^[138] David Denby of The New Yorker praised "the liquid beauty and the poetic fantasy of Singer's work", but called Ratner's film "a crude synthesizer of comedy and action tropes."^[139] Singer's third film in the series, X-Men: Days of Future Past was also highly praised. Alonso Duralde of The Wrap felt that "Singer keeps things moving along briskly enough that you can just go along with the ride of Superhero Stuff without getting bogged down".^[140]

The X-Men films were well received by fans of the comic books, but there was criticism of the large cast, and the limited screentime for all of them. Richard George of IGN praised the depictions of Wolverine, Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, Storm, William Stryker, Mystique, Beast and Nightcrawler; however, George thought many of the younger X-Men characters, such as Rogue, Iceman, Pyro and Kitty Pryde were "adjectiveless teenager[s]", and was disappointed by Cyclops' characterization. He observed the filmmakers were "big fans of silent henchmen", due to the small roles of the various villainous mutants; such as Lady Deathstrike.^[141] Spider-Man director Sam Raimi said he was a fan of the series, particularly Singer's films.^[142] Film historian Kim Newman also tonally compared Batman Begins to Singer's films.^[143]

Impact

Richard George of IGN stated that the success of the first X-Men film paved the way for comic-book film adaptations such as the Spider-Man series, Fantastic Four, V for Vendetta and Singer's Superman Returns.^[141] Chris Hewitt of Empire magazine called the first X-Men film as the "catalyst" for films based on Marvel Comics characters stating "Singer’s 2000 movie is the catalyst for everything that’s come since, good and bad. Without it, there’s no Marvel Studios."^[144] Comic-book writer Mark Millar said that Singer's X-Men "revolutionized" superhero films.^[145]

Tie-in material

Books

In June 2000, Marvel Comics published a comic book prequel to the first film, titled X-Men: Beginnings, featuring the back-stories of Magneto, Rogue and Wolverine.^[146] A novel adaptation for the film was also released.^[147] In 2003, Marvel released a comic-book for X2, which contained prequels detailing Nightcrawler's backstory and Wolverine's time searching for Alkali Lake.^[148] Del Rey Books also published novelizations for the first three films; the latter two were written by Chris Claremont.^{[149][150][151]}

Video games

In July 2000, X-Men: Mutant Academy was released for PlayStation and Game Boy Color. It shared the title fonts and costumes from the first film. The game also contains behind-the-scenes material from the first film.^[152] In April 2003, X2: Wolverine's Revenge which served as a tie-in to X2 was released for GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox.^[153] Patrick Stewart served as the voice actor for Professor X. In May 2006, X-Men: The Official Game was released for GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360. The story was set between X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand and also explained Nightcrawler's departure from the X-Men. In May 2009, the video game X-Men Origins: Wolverine based on the film of the same name was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii and Xbox 360.^[154] In September 2011 X-Men: Destiny was released for consoles to coincide with the X-Men: First Class's home-media release, containing costumes from the latter as unlockable content.^[155] All video games were released by Activision.

Television series

In October 2015, Marvel Television announced that two television series based on X-Men characters, Legion and Hellfire were in development.^[156] Legion, based on the character David Haller, was ordered by FX for a pilot with Noah Hawley attached as writer. It is set to air in 2017 for an eight-episode season.^[157] Hellfire was in development with Fox Broadcasting Company and was to be produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television. Set in the late 1960s, the show was supposed to follow an agent who learns that a power-hungry woman with "extraordinary" abilities is working with a clandestine society of millionaires, known as the Hellfire Club to take over the world. Evan Katz, Manny Coto, Patrick McKay and JD Payne were to be credited as the co-creators of the show while McKay and Payne were hired to write the pilot, based on a story by Katz, Coto, McKay and Payne. Katz and Coto were also hired to act as showrunners but left along with McKay and Payne in January 2016 to focus on 24: Legacy. Singer, Donner, Kinberg, Loeb and Chory were also attached as executive producers for the show.^[158] It was scrapped in July 2016.^[159]

The same day that Hellfire was dropped, an untitled X-Men television series was announced. The show will follow a couple on the run from the government due to their mutant child. X-Men characters are set to appear in the show. Singer, Donner, Kinberg, Loeb and Chory will serve as producers.^[160][161]

Home media release

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released the first nine films on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.^{[162][163][164]} The first two films were also released on VHS.^[165] While X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Deadpool were also released on 4K Ultra HD.^[162][164] The films were also released on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray box sets:

Title	Format	Release date	Films	Reference
X-Men Double Pack	VHS	November 10, 2003	X-Men, X2	[165]
X-Men Collection	DVD	November 25, 2003	"X-Men 1.5", X2	[166]
X-Men Trilogy		October 3, 2006	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand	[167]
The Ultimate Heroes Collection		October 16, 2007	Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, X-Men	[168]
Marvel Heroes		May 13, 2008	Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand	[169]
X-Men Trilogy	Blu-ray	April 29, 2009	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand	[170]
X-Men Quadrilogy	DVD, Blu-ray	October 19, 2009	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine	[171]
X-Men: The Ultimate Collection		October 31, 2011	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class	[172]
X-Men and the Wolverine - Adamantium Collection		December 3, 2013	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine	[173]
X-Men: The Adamantium Collection				[174]
X-Men: Experience Collection	Blu-ray	May 6, 2014	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class	[175]
Wolverine Double Feature		October 7, 2014	X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine	[176]
X-Men: The Cerebro Collection		November 10, 2014	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past	[177]
X-Men: 2-Film Collection		April 19, 2016	X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past	[178]
X-Men: Beginnings Trilogy		October 4, 2016	X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse	[179]
X-Men Collection		November 1, 2016	X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse	[180]
X-Men Universe 9-Film Bundle			X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse	[181]

As of May 2014, the DVD and Blu-ray sales of the first six films in the United States earned more than $620 million.^[182]

References

External links

• X-Men film series at AllMovie