Once the MCU’s X-Men reboot arrives, several characters need a major overhaul. Kevin Feige has officially confirmed that an MCU X-Men reboot is on the way, beginning with Jake Schreier’s upcoming X-Men movie. For the first time, mutants will truly stand alongside Marvel’s biggest icons in live-action.

Fox’s X-Men movies paved the way for modern superhero cinema, introducing some of the most beloved portrayals of Marvel characters, including Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy’s Professor X, and Ian McKellen and Michael Fᴀssbender’s Magneto. But despite its successes, Fox’s X-Men franchise also mishandled or overlooked several major heroes and villains.

10

Sabretooth

Fox’s first X-Men movie reduced Sabretooth to a mindless beast and a henchman to Magneto. Victor Creed’s rich history as Wolverine’s most personal and recurring nemesis was ignored. Years later, X-Men Origins: Wolverine gave Sabretooth a more sinister edge, but undercut it with a sibling relationship that was never addressed afterward. Even worse, Tyler Mane’s original Sabretooth returned in Deadpool & Wolverine only to be beheaded in record time.

In the MCU, Sabretooth needs to be more than a one-off henchman. Marvel’s Victor Creed is cunning and ruthless, always pushing Wolverine to his breaking point. The MCU’s X-Men reboot has the chance to echo the intensity of their comic book rivalry. While Liev Schreiber’ portrayal was promising, the MCU can go further by embracing Sabretooth’s intellect and imposing presence.

9

Jubilee

Across Fox’s X-Men movies, Jubilee appeared only in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos, most notably in X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand. Jubilation Lee’s first real role came in X-Men: Apocalypse, but even then she was relegated to the background, given only a few lines and a mall scene before being completely sidelined. Worst of all, Jubilee’s signature fireworks powers were limited to a few sparks.

Jubilee is a fan-favorite thanks to the comics and animated shows. Her dazzling plasma powers are tailor-made for big-screen spectacle, and her personal story as a runaway teen who finds a home with the X-Men is perfect for the MCU’s youth-centered X-Men reboot. Jubilee is also one of the most relatable entry-point characters for audiences, much like Kitty Pryde and Rogue.

8

Juggernaut

Fox’s X-Men: The Last Stand made Juggernaut a comic relief villain and stripped away his mystical origins. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 nailed Juggernaut’s mᴀssive physique, but sadly, this version was a one-off gag. In ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, Juggernaut was once again a slightly larger henchman, but his helmet became more important than himself.

The MCU has everything it needs to finally get Juggernaut right. More than just an unstoppable strongman, Cain Marko is deeply connected to his step-brother Charles Xavier, the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak, and the mystical side of Marvel. Marvel’s X-Men reboot could explore Juggernaut’s tragic backstory and his dynamics with heroes like Xavier, Hulk, and Spider-Man.

7

Apocalypse

Oscar Isaac’s Apocalypse portrayal failed to capture the menacing gravitas and godlike aura of the comic villain. Instead of a terrifying ancient mutant, audiences got a watered-down villain with bland powers and an uninspired design. The 2018 movie squandered its Age of Apocalypse premise by rushing through the story and reducing one of the X-Men’s greatest enemies to a forgettable one-movie threat.

Instead of jumping straight into another Age of Apocalypse adaptation, the MCU could seed En Sabah Nur’s influence as a background presence. Apocalypse could be an ancient mutant shaping mutantkind’s history from the shadows, potentially alongside Mister Sinister. Beyond that, Apocalypse’s comic history as both a tyrant and a reluctant ally makes him ripe for a multi-movie arc.

6

Darwin

Edi Gathegi’s Darwin is hands down one of the most infamous character mishandlings in Fox’s X-Men franchise. Known primarily for being virtually unkillable, Darwin was killed off in X-Men: First Class before he even had a proper chance to fight. Later, X-Men: Days of Future Past ignored Darwin completely, despite the future Sentinels showcasing adaptive powers that should have belonged to Darwin, not Mystique.

The MCU can easily redeem Darwin by portraying him as a mutant whose body truly adapts to survive any environment. With his powers properly showcased, the MCU’s Darwin could become a breakout hero and fit seamlessly into different X-Men teams and larger Marvel crossovers. Done right, Darwin has the potential to be one of the MCU’s most visually fascinating mutants.

5

Emma Frost

X-Men Origins: Wolverine gave audiences a half-hearted take on “Emma,” whose last name wasn’t confirmed. This Emma was presented as a generic mutant with diamond-skin abilities, but with none of the wit that makes her iconic in the comics. X-Men: First Class improved slightly by introducing January Jones’ more visually accurate Emma Frost, but she was relegated to Sebastian Shaw’s henchwoman.

Emma Frost is anything but a sidekick in the comics. Fully capable of standing against Charles Xavier in psychic duels, the White Queen has carved her own path as a villain, an anti-hero, and a hero, as well as a strategist, a leader, and a morally gray X-Man. If Marvel Studios’ reboot does her justice, Emma Frost could easily become a central player in the MCU’s X-Men.

4

Rogue

Fox’s first three X-Men movies gave Anna Paquin’s Rogue plenty of screentime, but Fox’s take leaned almost entirely on the tragic side of her powers. While effective at first, this one-dimensional approach made Rogue’s story monotonous. After the original trilogy, Fox’s X-Men franchise abandoned Rogue altogether, even cutting her scenes from the X-Men: Days of Future Past‘s theatrical cut.

Rogue is far more than a tragic figure in the comics and animated series. She’s playful, flirtatious, and her dynamic relationship with Gambit is one of Marvel’s most iconic romances. Beyond that, Rogue’s powers include super-strength, invulnerability, and flight. With deep ties to Mystique and Captain Marvel, the MCU’s Rogue has every reason to stand apart from her Fox counterpart.

3

Storm

Storm was a consistent presence across Fox’s X-Men franchise, but the movies never captured her grandeur. Instead of the regal, commanding African weather goddess from the comics, Fox’s Storm was constantly overshadowed by Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Charles Xavier. Storm’s roots and immense power were ignored, both in Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp’s portrayals.

Ororo Munroe transcends the X-Men as a leader, a queen, and a goddess. Storm is deeply tied to her African heritage, revered as a weather goddess before Charles Xavier recruited her. She has led the X-Men multiple times, rivaled Cyclops in strategy, and even ruled alongside Black Panther. Storm should be portrayed in the MCU as a godlike figure whose very arrival commands awe.

2

Jean Grey

Like Rogue, Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey iterations were reduced almost entirely to the role of Phoenix. While the Dark Phoenix storyline is one of Marvel’s most famous arcs, Fox leaned so heavily on it that Jean’s character became one-dimensional, defined only as a vessel for cosmic power or as Cyclops and Wolverine’s romantic interest. This left little room for Jean’s true idenтιтy to shine.

In the comics, Jean Grey is the soul of the X-Men and Xavier’s most trusted protégé. Jean is one of the most powerful mutants alive, with telepathic and telekinetic abilities that rival any hero or villain. The MCU has the opportunity to finally portray Jean Grey as the powerful leader and complex character she truly is.

1

Cyclops

Cyclops got the short end of the stick in Fox’s X-Men movies. James Marsden’s Scott Summers was constantly overshadowed by Wolverine, reduced to a romantic obstacle rather than the X-Men’s field leader. To make matters worse, Cyclops was unceremoniously killed off by Jean Grey at the start of X-Men: The Last Stand. Tye Sheridan’s younger Cyclops fared better in the prequels, but he never became a standout hero.

Scott Summers is one of Marvel’s greatest leaders, calm under pressure and brilliant in strategy. The MCU’s Cyclops could take inspiration from Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers to portray him as an unshakeable leader but also a thrilling and relatable protagonist. Cyclops is the heart of the X-Men and the hero who leads them through impossible odds. It’s time for a live-action X-Men movie to reflect that.