The Biggest Mistake in X-Men Movies 14 Years Ago

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The initial Fox productions of the X-Men films quickly gained popularity from the get-go. In the early years of the new millennium, there was little competition in terms of superhero movies, making mutants extremely popular. The first two films were well-made and successfully brought intriguing characters like Nightcrawler and Cyclops to life. However, the positive momentum didn’t persist forever. X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine missed their marks, leading Fox to opt for a franchise reboot instead of making adjustments midstream. The revamped series took off with the release of X-Men: First Class in 2011, putting the series back on the right path.

The main strength of “First Class” was its captivating setting, which transported viewers back to the 1960s, a time when Professor X and Magneto were just starting out as young characters. Additionally, the movie introduced several fresh faces who made their mark. Regrettably, one of the most intriguing characters from “First Class” was poorly handled in the storyline.

X-Men: First Class Introduces a New Generation of Mutants

In the opening scenes of “First Class”, I find myself immersed in my doctoral studies at Oxford, delving deep into mutation research. This academic pursuit catches the attention of CIA agent Moira MacTaggert, who’s hot on the trail of a mysterious group called the Hellfire Club, comprised of individuals with extraordinary abilities. Eager to unravel the secrets of my fellow mutants, I align myself with Moira’s mission and cross paths with Erik Lehnsherr, a man capable of manipulating metal, who harbors a grudge against the leader of the Hellfire Club, Sebastian Shaw.

As Xavier and Magneto find themselves in over their heads, it’s evident we need reinforcements. I rally a team – Banshee, Angel, Mystique, Beast, Havok, and Darwin. We secretly whisk them away to a CIA black site for training, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. However, Shaw, sensing the growing threat, doesn’t stay idle. He swoops in, swiftly eliminates the base guards, and tracks down our mutant force. Shaw delivers a passionate speech about his quest to ignite a nuclear war, hoping to persuade us to join him.

Angel finds the proposition appealing, thus she consents to be part of Shaw’s team. Similarly, Darwin declares his readiness to abandon his companions, though his act of betrayal is a deception. In a twist, he seizes Angel and utilizes his mutation that allows him to modify himself for survival to safeguard her from an assault by Havok aimed at Shaw. Regrettably, Shaw anticipates this and absorbs the impact, which he subsequently deposits within Darwin’s mouth. Despite having the power to alter his body to suit any setting, Darwin’s ability ultimately fails him, resulting in his demise. This scene is one of the saddest moments in First Class, yet it seems unjustified.

Darwin Had So Much Potential in Fox’s X-Men Universe

From a thematic perspective, Darwin’s demise aligns with the narrative because it underscores Shaw’s formidable power. Given that he confronts characters like Magneto and Professor X, who are heavyweights in their own right, Shaw can’t afford to be weak. However, strength can be demonstrated through various means. For instance, Thanos, in “Avengers: Infinity War,” showcases his might by battling the Hulk, choosing not to kill the hero because he has more significant targets. Similarly, “First Class” could have opted for a different approach with Darwin, allowing Shaw to severely injure the mutant but spare his life. This would have paved the way for an impactful finale moment, where Darwin arrives to aid his allies.

The poignancy of Darwin’s demise is heightened by the fact that he sacrifices himself so that other mutants may survive. Regrettably, characters like Angel and Banshee don’t get to witness “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” as they perish during the interval between films due to Bolivar Trask’s experiments for the Sentinel project. Had Darwin’s sacrifice not held significant implications in the grand scheme, it would have been more fitting for the producers to allow him to live and join his comrades in battle in Cuba. Instead, Darwin is a mutant whose memory lingers only as a reminder of tragic deaths in the realm of superhero narratives.

X-Men: First Class is streaming on Disney+.

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2025-06-03 22:43