Marvel recently released on Disney Plus a list of the fifteen productions that are absolutely necessary to the complete comprehension of Avengers: Doomsday set to be released on December 18. Until then, join us in the journey of recapping each one of those productions so you know all you need to before the most anticipated cinematic event of the year. All the productions will be reviewed in release order, and this series is set to end the week before Doomsday releases!
The first film in their list is X-Men (2000). It is the first cinematic adaptation of the superhero group, and often referred to as the first foundational step in comic book cinema. It introduces the characters that are part of the mutant team, including Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier, Sir Ian McKellen’s Magneto, James Marsden’s Cyclops, and Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, all present in the Avengers: Doomsday’s X-Men teaser. It also features characters that are rumored to return; notably Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
This film establishes the conflict between humanity and genetically modified individuals (mutants, a persecuted minority). It also sets the scenery and philosophy of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters as a place of inclusion and education; it is already torn apart in the beginning of the Avengers: Doomsday trailer. The school ultimately represents a place of hope in this movie; as Doom reaches, that symbol is torn apart. In a microcosmic way, the battle between humans and mutants coexisting or one side thriving at the cost of the other resembles the battle between universes that an Incursion represents.
The film’s main villain is Sir Ian McKellen’s powerful and remarkable Magneto, who is shown to have a strong, enduring connection with Xavier. Their connection is also nodded to in the January 6th teaser, as they share a moment that represents both joining forces in light of a larger battle. In X-Men, the duo plays chess in the film’s last scene (as in many other films that follow), and a chess board with a floating piece is also seen in the teaser.
X-Men also presents the group of mutants through the found family trope, which will surely make their battle against other Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (found) families, such as the Fantastic Four and the Thunderbolts, more emotional and impactful.
Watching or rewatching this ahead of Doomsday is helpful if you’re looking for an introduction to the X-Men, a reminder of their abilities and the extent of their power or for a way to make that last “To me, my X-Men” even more impactful.