X-Men Characters Marvel Should Hold Back For Later in the MCU

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As a dedicated fan, I firmly believe that the X-Men represent Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most promising future. While films like Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps are commendable post-Endgame efforts, they don’t hold the same cultural clout as the X-Men. For nearly three decades, the X-Men were the reigning kings of comic book superhero teams, only dethroned by the MCU itself.

With the MCU at an unprecedented crossroads—facing a series of underperforming films and a noticeable decline in critical acclaim from both critics and fans—Marvel Studios needs a game-changer. The X-Men could very well be that catalyst. The excitement generated by the appearances of Deadpool, Wolverine, and the arrival of X-Men actors from the Fox movies in Avengers: Doomsday is a testament to the fanbase’s longing for these iconic characters in the MCU.

As a seasoned movie critic, I find myself reflecting on the rich and expansive history of the X-Men, a Marvel sub-Universe that spans over six decades. Through the years, creators have woven an intricate tapestry of heroes, villains, allies, and antagonists. The X-Men themselves have undergone significant transformations, and it was evident when Giant-Size X-Men catapulted them into stardom. With Marvel revisiting the Giant-Size X-Men well with Ms. Marvel, it’s a shrewd move to examine the various generations of X-Men and consider whether they deserve their grand entrance in the MCU.

The last time the X-Men graced our movie screens, we were treated to a team of beloved X-Men characters. However, I believe Marvel Studios should approach their X-Men films with a more strategic hand. There are certain X-Men characters that they may want to hold back from immediate debuts. These seven X-Men, in my opinion, are indispensable for the MCU, but not necessarily ready for the spotlight just yet.

Jubilee

Ever since her initial appearance, I’ve been captivated by Jubilee, much like many other fans. She embodied the typical mall-going teen of the late ’80s and early ’90s, making her an ideal companion character. Back in the day, sidekicks were created to let readers imagine themselves in the comic world, and for ’90s X-Men enthusiasts like myself, Jubilee was the one we lived vicariously through. She was the kid every ’90s child aspired to hang out with the X-Men, and her enduring popularity in shows like “X-Men: The Animated Series” and “X-Men ’97” strongly suggests that she deserves a spot in the MCU’s X-Men team.

Initially placing her on the team immediately might not be strategic. It was the audience’s prior knowledge of the X-Men that made Jubilee fit so seamlessly. Introducing her at the outset with the X-Men might not have been wise, but it’s crucial for Jubilee to make an appearance later on.

Rogue

The charismatic Rogue, a beloved X-Men figure, deserves a spotlight on the silver screen as well. Her unique mutant abilities have always set her apart within the team, and her connections to antagonists like Mystique and Destiny significantly impact the X-Men’s past. Moreover, Rogue played a pivotal role in the 2000s X-Men series, making it essential to introduce her gradually into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s X-Men group instead of rushing things.

One issue with Marvel Studios incorporating characters from different film worlds revolves around their excessive use of nostalgia. Introducing Rogue as a team member straight away might seem too similar to the Fox films, which Marvel should avoid. Instead, fans are eager for the unique take on X-Men offered by the MCU. Instantly introducing Rogue could be seen as a nod to past movies, and at this point, such a reference may not be necessary yet in the MCU’s development.

Mystique

When it comes to Rogue, her foster mother Mystique is a pivotal figure in the X-Men storyline. In their comic book series during the ’80s, Mystique turned into one of the X-Men’s main adversaries as she led both the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and Freedom Force. Her influence was significant, using prophecies from her spouse Destiny to predict the future of mutantkind. In the Fox movies, Mystique has been a key character, often portrayed as a significant player in Magneto’s conflict with Professor X. The First Class film series delved into her past interactions with the X-Men.

Similar to Rogue, Mystique was significantly featured in the Fox movies and her absence from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s X-Men films for a while seems necessary. While it’s essential that Mystique makes an appearance given her potential as a formidable villain and connections to significant X-Men characters, introducing her too soon might stem from nostalgia, a pitfall that has negatively impacted the MCU and superhero narratives in general for some time now. Moreover, the money saved by avoiding blue body paint could be allocated more effectively elsewhere.

Nightcrawler

In the memorable opening sequence of X2: X-Men United, Nightcrawler is depicted battling through the White House with an aim to assassinate the U.S. President – a fight scene that longtime comic enthusiasts had envisioned for this character. Fans instantly took a liking to Nightcrawler, who has been associated with the X-Men team since 1974 and continues to be one of their most beloved members. With his charming, lighthearted demeanor, he brings an element of humor that contrasts the frequently grim storylines involving the X-Men.

Nightcrawler seems perfectly suited for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), yet introducing him too soon might not align well. Professor X handpicked visually appealing mutants for his first X-team to avoid public fear, and Nightcrawler’s frightening appearance doesn’t match this early X-Men image. However, while Nightcrawler is crucial to the X-Men storyline, he doesn’t have to be an original team member.

Dazzler

Among the cherished X-Men characters, Dazzler stands out as one who made her debut in 1980, capitalizing on the disco craze. Marvel initially planned to make this character a multimedia sensation, even envisioning a Dazzler disco album; however, the demise of that music trend put a halt to these plans. Dazzler had her own series for 42 issues from 1981 to 1986, which could have been less if she debuted in today’s era. She joined the X-Men during their Outback period and developed feelings for Longshot. This marked the pinnacle of Dazzler’s Marvel career, but her years since the late ’80s, up until now, have been spent in varying degrees of obscurity. Despite this, fans continue to adore Dazzler, who has shown more endurance than the disco music that led to her creation. The modern Marvel comics continue to employ her as a pop-star influenced by superhero mythology, and she even gained attention when it was speculated Taylor Swift might portray Dazzler in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Introducing Dazzler into the MCU as a popular mutant musician sounds fantastic, but introducing her in the initial X-Men movie might not be the best approach. It’s crucial to establish the complex relationship between mutants and humans more thoroughly before Dazzler arrives on the scene. By waiting a bit longer for her debut, she can truly live up to the multimedia potential of her character creation that fans have long anticipated.

The Sentinels

The Sentinels are a crucial aspect of the X-Men lore, symbolizing human fear and loathing towards mutants. Forged from metal and equipped with humanity’s deadliest technology, they represent a significant threat to mutantkind. Throughout X-Men history, particularly in the future timelines, the Sentinels have played a pivotal role, often leading to the near extinction of mutants. As the Fox X-Men films unfolded, fans eagerly anticipated the appearance of the Sentinels. They made their big screen debut in X3: The Last Stand, though some found the brief Danger Room fight between the X-Men and a Sentinel to be somewhat anticlimactic.

In the movie “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, viewers were finally treated to the active Sentinels, displaying both their future adaptive forms as well as those created in the 1970s. Since the X-Men series revolves around the complex bond between humans and mutants, it’s crucial for the Sentinels to make an appearance at some point. However, it’s essential to establish this relationship first before introducing the Sentinels. The Sentinels shouldn’t be introduced in the initial Marvel Cinematic Universe X-Men film. Instead, the events of that movie should set the stage for humans to develop them, providing a compelling way to introduce the Sentinels and ultimately fulfilling fans’ desire for epic mutant versus robot battles on the big screen.

Wolverine

Fans adore Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and his comeback in the film Deadpool/Wolverine was a resounding success. However, speculation abounds about Jackman’s role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) going forward, leading to questions about how Marvel will handle the character. Many fans yearn for more of Jackman as Wolverine, but making him a permanent fixture of the MCU could be seen as Marvel Studios overindulging in nostalgia. This concern is amplified when considering introducing Wolverine, whether it’s Jackman or a new actor, in the initial MCU movie.

In a nutshell, Wolverine was a significant character in the Fox X-Men films due to his popularity, but this popularity could be problematic when it comes to introducing him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) X-Men team right away. The reason being is that his presence might overshadow other characters and make the movies centered more around him rather than the entire team. The X-Men have a rich roster of intriguing characters who deserve their own limelight, so it’s wise to delay Wolverine’s appearance initially.

Moreover, based on some recent Marvel comics, there’s a possibility that Logan could be introduced as an antagonist in his “Weapon X” persona first, before eventually becoming part of the team. This approach would allow for a more intriguing character development and prevent Wolverine from immediately grabbing all the attention.

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2025-04-16 01:10