One of the longest-running superhero franchises in film history is the X-Men series. The X-Men are a group of mutants with the X-gene who band together to combat evil and use their talents for good. The franchise has produced acclaimed work for two decades. Bryan Singer, the original director of the X-Men films, was able to offer the audience a distinctive yet diverse cast of mutants because there were so many characters to choose from in the comics. Some of these characters have achieved icon status and have been the subject of numerous iterations and reboots.
There are several movies and spin-offs in the X-Men franchise, but the first one, X-Men, which came out in 2000, is where it all began. The movie gave moviegoers who were looking for something fresh—and boy, did they get it—a new cast of superheroes. The X-Men, which also included Stan Lee’s comic book characters, enjoyed enormous popularity and, in the opinion of Den of Geek, helped pave the way for the MCU to develop into what it is today. Here are the current whereabouts of the original X-Men movie’s cast, who are still adored more than 20 years later.
Anna Paquin — Anna Marie / Rogue
Anna Paquin portrays the adolescent teen Rogue, whose power prevents her from making direct physical contact with anyone. Everyone could see that Paquin had talent as an actor after she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Piano when she was just 11 years old. The Canadian actress played Rogue again in three follow-up films after X-Men. Following that, Paquin went on to play a number of starring roles, such as Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood, and supporting ones, such as The Irishman, a Netflix Original. Our curiosity about where Paquin’s career may go next is stoked by the positive reviews her most recent biographical picture, American Underdog, has received.
Famke Janssen — Jean Grey / Phoenix
The telepathic and telekinetic mutant Jean Grey, portrayed by Famke Janssen in the original X-Men trilogy, is perhaps one of the most potent X-Men of all time. This Dutch actress, who later played the role of Jean Grey, made her acting debut as Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. Later, she took up the role of Lenore Mills in the Taken movie series. As she continues to take on jobs, Janssen’s career is far from slowing down. Redeeming Love, her most recent film, is a Western drama that takes place during the California Gold Rush and is based on the same-named book. Knights of the Zodiac and Door Mouse are the other two movies she’s currently working on, none of whose release dates have been officially announced.
Halle Berry — Ororo Munroe / Storm
Halle Berry played Storm in the original X-Men, a mutant with the rare ability to control the weather who is always powerful. She became even more well-known after her X-Men series performance, landing the lead part in the 2004 movie Catwoman. Berry has continued to land significant roles since the film, including her appearance as Sofia in the third instalment of the John Wick series, John Wick 3: Parabellum, despite the fact that it received mixed reviews. Berry most recently earned a Satellite Award for Best First Feature for her work on the film Bruised, for which she was much praised. Berry is anticipated to take part in the upcoming science fiction drama The Mothership. Many people anticipate Berry to return as Storm in Black Panther 2 now that the mutants are formally part of the MCU.
Hugh Jackman — Logan / Wolverine
Hugh Jackman was able to bring Wolverine’s saga to a satisfying conclusion with the release of Logan. When X-Men was first released, Jackman was essentially unheard of; but, with this portrayal, he quickly rose to fame. Following X-Men, Jackman was cast as the lead in Kate & Leopold. He subsequently translated his musical theatrical skills to the big screen in the critically acclaimed Les Misérables movie, where he portrayed the lead role of Jean Valjean. Jackman received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his work in the popular musical. Jackman most recently appeared in the science fiction suspense film Reminiscence. He will next be seen in The Son alongside Anthony Hopkins, Laura Dern, and Vanessa Kirby.
Ian McKellan — Erik Lensherr / Magneto
Sir Ian McKellan portrays Magneto, a character with the power to manipulate anything made of metal compounds. The résumé of this English actor is just as spectacular as that of his co-star Patrick Stewart, who played the lead role in Richard III and was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings series. McKellan’s career has developed over the years, and his most recent role was in the British science fiction movie Infinitum: Subject Unknown, which was shot solely on an iPhone during the country’s initial lockdown at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, McKellen is anticipated to star in the upcoming movie Schadenfreude.
James Marsden — Scott Summers / Cyclops
Cyclops is the man who possesses laser vision that can only be controlled by donning sunglasses or his renowned visor. In the movie X-Men, James Marsden plays Cyclops, who is in love with the all-powerful Jean Grey and tries his best to forge a solid bond with her in order to keep Logan at bay. Marsden’s career flourished as a result of this role, landing him parts in movies including The Notebook, Hairspray, and 27 Dresses. Although he has recently diversified, he is frequently stereotyped as the kind man who comes in last and doesn’t get the girl. Marsden’s career has been progressing steadily, and he has recently been more well-known for playing Tom in Sonic the Hedgehog. In the Sonic the Hedgehog sequel, scheduled for release in April 2022, Marsden is anticipated to take on the same role once more.
Patrick Stewart — Charles Xavier / Professor X
Hollywood legend Sir Patrick Stewart has been active for the past 60 years. Stewart has appeared in a wide variety of projects, from recurring appearances on Seth MacFarlane’s popular comedy series American Dad! to film adaptations of Shakespearean classics like Macbeth. He is one of the most recognisable superhero characters because of his portrayal of the strong telepath. In truth, Stewart performed the role of Professor X in films other than the X-Men trilogy. And now, after almost five years since his last appearance in Logan, he’s set to reprise this part in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Despite being over 80 years old, Stewart’s career shows no signs of slowing down: in addition to his anticipated role in the Doctor Strange sequel, his new show Star Trek: Picard will be renewed for a second season.
Rebecca Romijn — Raven Darkholme / Mystique
Some contend that Rebecca Romjin’s portrayal of the original Mystique, who flawlessly captured the mutant’s seductive charm, is the best available. One of the less well-known actors in the original X-Men movie’s primary cast is Romjin. With few starring roles offered to her and the most of them being for television rather than film, the model-turned-actress has experienced mediocre success. She landed the voice-acting job of Lois Lane in the DC Animated Movie Universe in addition to having a regular part as Eve on the TNT series The Librarians. Additionally, Romjin hosted the reality TV programme Skin Wars, which required contestants to complete challenges including body painting. Recent appearances by Romjin include the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Worlds series.
