[[{“value”:”
It won’t be too much longer before the X-Men begin to make their presence known in the MCU. With the iconic mutant team possessing one of the largest rosters in comic book history, the possibilities of entertaining and unique mutants available for big-screen entrances are endless. Sure, everyone loves Wolverine and Cyclops, but there is an embarrassment of riches in the X-Men’s lore.
There are so many mutants, in fact, thatit’s easy to forget many of the X-Men who once slapped an X on their chest and ran into battle. So the question becomes: which of Charles Xavier’s forgotten children of the atom would make the best addition to the MCU? Because our mutant power is to fantasy cast, this list will break down some of the best mutants to join the MCU based on their live-action potential, abilities, and how well they would fit into the franchise’s distinctive world.
10
Thunderbird III
A Fiery Addition to the MCU
The charismatic and affluent Neal Shaara, also known as the third Thunderbird, should be up for serious consideration as a member of the MCU’s X-Men team. His background as a member of a wealthy Indian family would offer a valued and different perspective as a mutant while playing to the X-Men’s strengths of including international recruits. It also doesn’t hurt that his heat powers, which include allowing him to create solar plasma, would make him a strong fighter to have at the X-Men’s disposal.
While Neal couldn’t be expected to replace the void left by Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), having a brash, rich recruit would cause the type of drama in the mansion that X-Men comics are known for. Thunderbird’s addition to the team would bring a built-in storyline of a character learning there’s more to being a hero than fun powers when he experiences his first unexpected setback.
9
Forgetmenot
The Most Forgettable of all X-Men
An X-Man who will never receive credit for the many contributions he made to the team, Forgetmenot is literally the most forgettable member of the team. His power is, for better or worse, to be forgotten. When Forgetmenot leaves the field of vision of another person, they immediately lose all memory of seeing him, any actions they did together, and his existence is wiped from their brain. His power is so strong you’ll forget about him when you finish this sentence.
No one is suggesting he should receive a trilogy and then a prequel trilogy about his childhood, but in a franchise that likes a little humor with its action, Forgetmenot’s dry witticisms would be welcome to the group. His existence as a running joke throughout multiple films would be great if a director took the loose comedic approach, as seen in Thor: Ragnarok, to thread him throughout the story.
8
Mimic
Limitless Potential When Every Power is Available
A powerful hero who hasn’t been explored enough, Mimic is a mutant who can copy the powers and knowledge of anyone within a specific range. Real name Calvin Rankin, Mimic has been a presence in X-Men comics going back to the ’60s, where he’s played the role of both ally and foe. While his power might sound too strong to serve a story, the effort it takes for Calvin to manage multiple powers at once will often overwhelm him, leaving Mimic vulnerable.
Mimic’s shaky allegiance to the X-Men makes him the perfect addition to the films. At this point, moviegoers have seen Xavier’s students fight Magneto so many times they have probably begun to wonder if there are any other threats to the team outside the master of magnetism and sentinels. The best way to introduce a new villain is to first have him bond with the team over a movie or two. This way, when he turns, the stakes feel more personal.
7
Banshee
Moviegoers Should Hear From This Hero
There’s going to be an attitude about mentioning Banshee that will sound like, “Banshee isn’t forgotten.” Then where is he? Outside an appearance in X-Men: First Class that led to an unceremonious off-screen death, this fan-favorite screamer doesn’t get the spotlight he should. Real name Sean Cassidy, Banshee is an Irish mutant with the ability to let out sonic screams that will knock back the most sturdy opponent.
In the comics, when Xavier first recruits Sean to the team, he’s already an adult with a grasp on his powers, and that’s how he needs to be brought into the MCU. Cast young on the major characters like Cyclops and Jean Grey, but introduce some adults who offer a different perspective on living with being a mutant in a world that isn’t kind to them. Xavier will always be there to say vague things at the mansion that sound wise, but Banshee can be someone in the field the kids will have no choice but to listen to.
6
Sway
It’s Time for Sway to Shine
Sway, real name Suzanne Chan, has the unique ability to selectively control time on targeted objects or people and can conjure up recent past events in the area she’s in. Sway was only an X-Man for a brief window of time before dying in a rescue mission, but that doesn’t mean she needs to fall to the same fate in the MCU.
Action movies have been slowing down bullets for decades, and now there’s a character available who can literally give directors a reason to do so. If someone like Zack Snyder finds out about Sway, he’s going to mortgage his house to get the rights to her so that 75% of the movie can be in slow motion. For the MCU, this character is perfect because, visually, there’s so much available to do with Sway’s powers. Not every character needs to be an offensive powerhouse, and since Sway didn’t get much time in the comics, there’s the freedom to go in any direction with her storyline.
5
Omega Sentinel
If You Can’t Beat Them, Meet Halfway
A detective working for the Indian national police named Karima Shapandar is infected with sentinel technology to become the Omega Sentinel. Although she’s programmed to become the ultimate in mutant extermination, Omega Sentinel is momentarily unburdened from her directive and briefly joins the X-Men. As far as powers go, it’s faster to list what she can’t do, which is take a shower without getting rusty.
There could be various ways Omega Sentinel is applied to the MCU, as her connection to the sentinels would lead to friction in a team where other members have either been attacked by the mutant-hunting robots or lost people close to them as a result of the attacks. Omega Sentinel could become a character like Nebula (Karen Gillan) in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, who turns from villain to hero, or she could be a ticking time bomb that the X-Men must fight at the worst possible time.
4
Velocidad
A Great Power With a Greater Cost
Although the name Velocidad would lead Marvel fans to believe Gabriel Cohuelo is a speedster, his power is actually to slow the movement of time around him while he moves regularly. From the perspective of those around him, Velocidad is moving at superhuman speed, oftentimes so fast he can’t be seen. The added wrinkle for the young and underrated X-Man is that whenever Velocidad uses his powers, his body ages, leaving him at risk of overusing his mutant gift.
The storyline of a hero who feels burdened by their powers gets thrown around a lot, especially with the X-Men, where being a mutant can be a point of shame. However, with Velocidad, the stakes are even higher, as his power can literally kill him. With the use of his powers directly related to his aging, the possibility of a tragic but brave hero’s sacrifice would create a memorable moment for MCU fans to insist they didn’t cry at.
3
Firestar
Fire Up a Spider-Man & Friends Reunion
Firestar may not be known by casual Marvel moviegoers, but she could be a fan-favorite hero if given the big screen blessing. Using her ability to manipulate and emit intense microwave energy, Firestar can fly and melt even the most solid object within seconds. Although first appearing in the cartoon Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Firestar has experienced a successful run in the comics that has seen her join multiple groups including The Avengers and the X-Men.
The news of Sadie Sink‘s casting in the upcoming fourth Spider-Man filmhas led to speculation on what role she could play. Firestar could be the unlikely emerging star for a franchise that wants to separate itself from the Fox era of mutants. Even if Sink isn’t playing the heat-wielding hero, Firestar still needs to join the MCU so we can build to the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends live-action adventure that will sweep the Academy Awards.
2
Lady Mastermind
A Mutant With the Power of Delivering Cool Scenes
The daughter of X-Men foe Mastermind,Regan Wyngarde, also known as Lady Mastermind, has her father’s ability to cast lifelike illusions into the minds of her targets. Lady Mastermind has spent more time fighting the X-Men than working alongside them, but a temporary alliance saw the illusionist on a team under the direction of Rogue. Whether she joined as a full-time X-Man or a shifty foe with the occasional aligned interest, Lady Mastermind would be a fun addition to the MCU.
Imagine the fantastic Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) sequence in Spider-Man: Far From Home, where Peter (Tom Holland) is lost in an illusion but featured multiple times in battle scenes. One of the best things about X-Men ‘97 is the clever combination of different powers in fights, and having Lady Mastermind throwing down elaborate fantasies amidst the chaos of battle opens up possibilities that didn’t get explored to the best of their ability when Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) was with The Avengers.
1
Wolfsbane
Not Every Furry Hero Must Be Blue
Wolfsbane appeared in the feature film The New Mutants, but the Scottish mutant Rahne Sinclair and her ability to transform into a wolf at will could benefit from a proper introduction to the MCU. In the comics, Rahne is a well-traveled hero, spending time with The New Mutants, X-Force, and the original group of mutants, the X-Men. Although Wolfsbane is granted increased strength and size in full wolf mode, she’s unable to properly communicate with her teammates, which could lead to some interesting scenes in an X-Men movie.
Wolverine doesn’t need to be the only one slicing up enemies in the name of Xavier, and if the MCU slow-plays the introduction to X23, Wolfsbane in half-human, half-wolf form would add a visual flair to on-screen battles. Because no matter what interesting thing is happening on screen at any given time, adding a werewolf to a movie will always make it better. Whether it be the next Paddington movie or an MCU spinoff, you can’t go wrong with a werewolf.
NEXT: 10 MCU Characters We Haven’t Seen in a While
“}]] Everyone loves Wolverine, but forgotten X-Men like Firestar and Wolfsbane would be ideal candidates to join the MCU’s iteration of the mutant team. Read More