by Olivia Grey
X-Men has always been something that really grabbed my attention since the first film, X-Men, came out in 2000. Since then, I have watched every film and plan on seeing the newest instalment of X-Men: Days of Future Past on its opening night this Thursday 22nd May. I have also delved into reading the comics from time to time, although admittedly I don’t read them anywhere near enough as I’d actually like to. To celebrate this new film, for which we have seen a LOT of promotional material in the form of trailers, live events and photographs over the past few weeks, I have put together a list of my top five mutants.
X-Men has always been something that really grabbed my attention since the first film, X-Men, came out in 2000. Since then, I have watched every film and plan on seeing the newest instalment of X-Men: Days of Future Past on its opening night this Thursday 22nd May. I have also delved into reading the comics from time to time, although admittedly I don’t read them anywhere near enough as I’d actually like to. To celebrate this new film, for which we have seen a LOT of promotional material in the form of trailers, live events and photographs over the past few weeks, I have put together a list of my top five mutants.
Jean Grey/Phoenix
Jean Grey has been present in four out of the six X-Men films that have been released, and will also be included in X-Men: Days of Future Past. She, along with Wolverine and Professor X, are known to be amongst those who founded the X-Men initiative. In the films, she is a doctor who is part of Professor X’s cause, and speaks out for Mutant rights at the senate in X-Men (2000), although this argument is not met with agreement. She is incredibly intelligent and appears to be Professor X’s ‘second in command’, as Mystique is with Magneto. Her powers revolve around telepathy and telekinesis, which are very strong and very useful for many scenes in the movies, notably in X-Men: The Last Stand. However, like most mutant powers, Jean Grey’s equally have a downside; when emotionally unstable, she can lose control of her powers and will turn into her darker persona known as the Phoenix (shown in X-Men: The Last Stand).
Jean Grey has been present in four out of the six X-Men films that have been released, and will also be included in X-Men: Days of Future Past. She, along with Wolverine and Professor X, are known to be amongst those who founded the X-Men initiative. In the films, she is a doctor who is part of Professor X’s cause, and speaks out for Mutant rights at the senate in X-Men (2000), although this argument is not met with agreement. She is incredibly intelligent and appears to be Professor X’s ‘second in command’, as Mystique is with Magneto. Her powers revolve around telepathy and telekinesis, which are very strong and very useful for many scenes in the movies, notably in X-Men: The Last Stand. However, like most mutant powers, Jean Grey’s equally have a downside; when emotionally unstable, she can lose control of her powers and will turn into her darker persona known as the Phoenix (shown in X-Men: The Last Stand).
Emma Frost/The White Queen
First making an appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) with a portrayal by Tahyna Tozzi, Emma Frost is a mutant capable of shape-shifting into a solid diamond form which grants her superhuman strength and durability. In X-Men: First Class, Emma Frost is played by January Jones, and along with her diamond form, here Frost is a highly skilled telepathist and is even able to hide herself and Magneto from Professor X’s abilities. This is much more in tune to what she is described as in the comics, and by her creator’s writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne.
First making an appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) with a portrayal by Tahyna Tozzi, Emma Frost is a mutant capable of shape-shifting into a solid diamond form which grants her superhuman strength and durability. In X-Men: First Class, Emma Frost is played by January Jones, and along with her diamond form, here Frost is a highly skilled telepathist and is even able to hide herself and Magneto from Professor X’s abilities. This is much more in tune to what she is described as in the comics, and by her creator’s writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne.
Rogue/Marie D'Ancanto
Anna Paquin first portrayed Rogue in the very first X-Men film in 2000, and has continued to play the adult version of her in both the second and third films, including being cast again for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Rogue has an extraordinary but deadly power, which involves being able to absorb psyche and abilities of another human being through skin-to-skin contact. In X2 Rogue was able to stop Pyro from killing policemen through touching his leg and making him powerless, and also was a staple character for the ending of the film, due largely to her absorbtion power which Magneto takes advantage of in his plan to exterminate all humans to suit the ideals of the Brotherhood of Mutants.
Anna Paquin first portrayed Rogue in the very first X-Men film in 2000, and has continued to play the adult version of her in both the second and third films, including being cast again for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Rogue has an extraordinary but deadly power, which involves being able to absorb psyche and abilities of another human being through skin-to-skin contact. In X2 Rogue was able to stop Pyro from killing policemen through touching his leg and making him powerless, and also was a staple character for the ending of the film, due largely to her absorbtion power which Magneto takes advantage of in his plan to exterminate all humans to suit the ideals of the Brotherhood of Mutants.
Wolverine/Logan/James Howlett
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is a close second to Mystique. Obviously the most famous X-Men there is, Wolverine also has a very eventful life, and a painful reasoning for being a mutant in the first place. A creation of William Stryker, Wolverine was once known as Logan (and previously by his birth name of James Howlett) and his past is a very dark one. His powers include a super healing factor, which although brilliant in the fact that he is hard to seriously injure, this does not take away the pain he feels when hurt. Too bad for Wolverine! Along with his superhuman agility, stamina, and reflexes, the mutation he is most famous for is his virtually indestructible metal adamantium claws, which he can retract and protract at will. Jackman’s dedication to this role has seen him pile muscle on like nobody’s business countless times over, and he (in my opinion) plays the perfect Wolverine. In both appearance and attitude!
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is a close second to Mystique. Obviously the most famous X-Men there is, Wolverine also has a very eventful life, and a painful reasoning for being a mutant in the first place. A creation of William Stryker, Wolverine was once known as Logan (and previously by his birth name of James Howlett) and his past is a very dark one. His powers include a super healing factor, which although brilliant in the fact that he is hard to seriously injure, this does not take away the pain he feels when hurt. Too bad for Wolverine! Along with his superhuman agility, stamina, and reflexes, the mutation he is most famous for is his virtually indestructible metal adamantium claws, which he can retract and protract at will. Jackman’s dedication to this role has seen him pile muscle on like nobody’s business countless times over, and he (in my opinion) plays the perfect Wolverine. In both appearance and attitude!
Mystique/Raven Darkholme
My most favourite mutant has to be Mystique, no question about it. And no, not because of Jennifer Lawrence (although I do think she plays her very well in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class). Mystique is a very special mutant, and has the ability to change her appearance into the form of other humans or animals, and is a known and very skilled Shapeshifter. In the films, her true appearance is her famous blue scaly skin and yellow eyes combo, complete with a shock of orange hair. Rebecca Romijn portrayed Mystique in the three earlier X-Men Films before Lawrence took the role in 2011, and Lawrence will return for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Created by artist David Cockrum, Mystique’s real age is unknown, only adding to her character and personality, although it is thought that she is over 100 years old. With her cell rejuvenation which occurs after shape-shifting is reportedly the key to maintaining her youthful appearance. Mystique’s siding with the Brotherhood of Mutants became apparent in X-Men: First Class, despite being close friends with Charles Xavier (Professor X) whilst at University. I have to say it; Mystique lives up to her name very well. She is indeed a very interesting character.
Which mutants are among your favourites? Whether they be good guys or bad guys, they’re all incredible!
My most favourite mutant has to be Mystique, no question about it. And no, not because of Jennifer Lawrence (although I do think she plays her very well in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class). Mystique is a very special mutant, and has the ability to change her appearance into the form of other humans or animals, and is a known and very skilled Shapeshifter. In the films, her true appearance is her famous blue scaly skin and yellow eyes combo, complete with a shock of orange hair. Rebecca Romijn portrayed Mystique in the three earlier X-Men Films before Lawrence took the role in 2011, and Lawrence will return for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Created by artist David Cockrum, Mystique’s real age is unknown, only adding to her character and personality, although it is thought that she is over 100 years old. With her cell rejuvenation which occurs after shape-shifting is reportedly the key to maintaining her youthful appearance. Mystique’s siding with the Brotherhood of Mutants became apparent in X-Men: First Class, despite being close friends with Charles Xavier (Professor X) whilst at University. I have to say it; Mystique lives up to her name very well. She is indeed a very interesting character.
Which mutants are among your favourites? Whether they be good guys or bad guys, they’re all incredible!
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