The 10 Best X-Men Who Have Never Been in a Live-Action Movie

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The X-Men are some of the most popular Marvel characters in pop culture history. Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe came onto the scene and changed the landscape of superhero movies, the X-Men film franchise from 20th Century Fox was one of the definitive adaptations of comic book characters on screen.

With over ten live-action films spanning across team-up films, solo stories focused on popular characters like Wolverine and Deadpool, and off-shoot team stories like the New Mutants, many of Marvel’s most popular X-Men characters have made live-action appearances in the acclaimed franchise. With some characters like Bishop, Multiple Man, or Jubilee really only getting glorified cameos, they still stand among the ranks of X-Men who have been adapted on the big screen, while other equally popular characters have yet to get their time in the spotlight.

10

Hope Summers Is a Vital Part of Contemporary X-Men Stories

Hope Summers, The Mutant Messiah and Adopted Daughter of Cable, Deserves a Film Adaptation

One of the most important X-Men characters created in the last twenty years, Hope Summers is the mutant messiah—the first mutant child born after the shocking events of House of M and the following decimation of the mutant population. An Omega-level power mimic, Hope Summers kicked off the war between a number of factions vying for control over her incredible abilities during the Messiah Complex story, as well as its follow-ups, Second Coming and Messiah War.

Growing up jumping through time attempting to escape from the former X-Man known as Bishop, alongside her adopted father, Cable, Hope has had a troubled life. Her abilities and role in the mutant community are something that has led to a myriad of brand-new concepts for the X-Men and their stories, as well as a new status quo in the wake of Decimation. A key figure in the Krakoan era of X-books, Hope’s connection to the Phoenix and her terrifying power levels make her a character primed for a live-action appearance.

9

Northstar Is Too Often Overlooked

The Canadian X-Men with Superspeed Broke New Ground

Originally introduced as a member of the Canadian superhero team known as Alpha Flight, Jean-Paul Beaubier, aka Northstar, has remained a consistent supporting character in the roster of a number of X-books over the decades since his inception. With the ability to move and fly at speeds occasionally reaching the speed of light, Northstar is an incredibly powerful mutant, but he is often overlooked by fans.

While mutant stories in Marvel Comics have always served as allegories for marginalized groups, Northstar was one of the first official openly gay characters in comic book history, as well as the first to be featured in a same-sex marriage in mainstream comics. With X-Men stories so deeply rooted in social justice and identity politics, Northstar’s existence in the mutant community is a significant one. He has gone on to be a core member of several teams, including the X-Men, X-Factor, and, of course, Alpha Flight.

8

Vulcan Is the Third Summers Brother and the Most Powerful

The Brother of Cyclops and Havok Is an Omega-Level Threat

While brothers Scott and Alex Summers had long presumed that they were the sole children of their father Corsair and their deceased mother, their worldviews were shaken irrevocably by the arrival of their long-lost brother, Gabriel Summers, aka Vulcan. Born on the Shi’ar throne-world shortly before the death of his mother, Gabriel was removed from his mother’s womb early and placed in a chamber that accelerated his growth. After escaping from the Shi’ar, Gabriel returned to Earth and was taken in by Professor Charles Xavier, who immediately recognized that he was the brother of Scott Summers.

After being sent on a suicide mission by Professor X, Vulcan turned toward evil. With the help of his Omega-level abilities, he took the fight to the Shi’ar empire in an attempt to avenge his mother. Vulcan was a powerful foe to the group of X-Men stranded in Shi’ar space during the events of The Rise and Fall of The Shi’ar Empire, and his relationship with Havok and Cyclops has continuously grown and evolved in bold and exciting ways. While he is a fairly recent character in X-Men canon, Gabriel Summers deserves more time in the spotlight alongside his family.

7

The Cuckoo Sisters Are a Telepathic Force to Be Reckoned With

The Stepford Cuckoos Are Young Clones of Emma Frost and Vital Members of the X-Men’s Roster

Some of the most bizarre and compelling characters in recent X-Men history, Celeste, Esme, Irma, Phoebe, and Sophie Cuckoo, aka the Stepford Cuckoos, are five clones of the mutant telepath Emma Frost. Originally created by Mr. Sinister, the Cuckoos have been at the center of a number of excellent X-Men stories. Their telepathic abilities allow them to form a kind of telepathic hive mind that increases their individual powers to greater heights.

A wonderfully “comic booky” idea, the Stepford Cuckoos do nothing but improve any book they appear in. Emma Frost is already one of the most hilariously sarcastic and bratty characters in the Marvel Universe, so five clones of her make for some wonderfully devilish stories. A wild sci-fi concept like five clones of a pre-established character being introduced would be such a great idea for a live-action X-Men film, and it would certainly differentiate a new cinematic X-Men universe from the past’s more grounded approach to the source material.

6

Rachel Summers Is as Tied to the Phoenix as Jean Grey

The Alternate Universe Child of Scott Summers and Jean Grey Is as Powerful as Her Parents

First appearing in the seminal Days of Future Past storyline, Rachel Summers is the child of the alternate dystopian future versions of Scott Summers and Jean Grey, aka Cyclops and Marvel Girl. Originally forced to track and hunt other mutants as a “hound,” Rachel arrived in the mainline X-Men universe and has remained a steadfast supporting character for decades.

A host to the terrifying and highly powerful Phoenix Force, Rachel is an extremely gifted mutant, and her connection to one of the deadliest forces in the universe has made her a target for a myriad of threats from across the Marvel Universe. Though she has taken on many names and mantles, Rachel has become a core member of X-Men canon, and the fact that she has never been in a live-action movie is something that should be quickly remedied.

5

Kid Omega Is a Complex Young Mutant

The Rebellious Quentin Quire Is a Terrific Addition to Mutantkind

One of the younger students of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Quentin Quire, aka Kid Omega, is an occasionally annoying, often rebellious, always brash mutant with incredible powers and an attitude to back them up. Portrayed as one of the earliest students to truly question the logic and morals of Xavier and his mission, Quentin was one of the adopters of the “Magneto Was Right” movement, something that put him at odds with many of the other students at the school.

Evolving and growing as much as any of the other mutant characters in Marvel’s roster, Kid Omega has at times been an antagonist but has proven himself time and time again to have his fellow mutants’ best interests at heart. He is passionate about what he believes, and he isn’t afraid to express that. Quentin has been a member of the X-Men, X-Force, and even the West Coast Avengers, and he remains one of the most interesting and compelling additions to the X-Men mythos in the last few decades.

4

Fantomex Is a Complicated Killer

The Mutate Mercenary Fantomex Is a Morally Gray X-Man

Charlie Cluster-7, aka Fantomex, is one of the most bizarre characters introduced to the X-Men universe in the last twenty-five years. Technically a mutate rather than a mutant, Fantomex is also one of the most morally complex members of any X-book he appears in. Created as part of the Weapon Plus program to fight mutants on behalf of humankind, Fantomex ultimately turned against his creators and joined several mutant-led teams.

Surprisingly empathetic despite his murderous tendencies and pragmatic outlook on the world, Fantomex shined the brightest during his time in Rick Remender’s excellent run on Uncanny X-Force, a book that explored so much of the depth behind each member of the black ops mutant team. Fantomex would make a wonderful addition to any live-action X-Men film franchise that might happen in the future, and his interactions with the mutant characters of the Marvel Universe are one of the most compelling aspects of his existence on the page.

3

Sunfire Is One of the X-Men’s Oldest Allies

Sunfire Is a Japanese Fire-Based Mutant Who Is Long Overdue for a Live-Action Appearance

Shrio Yoshida, aka Sunfire, is a mutant with fire-based powers who originally faced off against the X-Men in his earliest appearance. Though the years since his inception have proven him to be a strong and faithful ally of the X-Men and their supporting teams, Sunfire has never remained a member of a mutant team for very long, opting instead to remain close to home and protect his own family and country.

With fearsome powers and a terrific costume design, Sunfire is an obvious pick for an addition to the live-action world of mutantkind. Often focused on his own goals rather than those of his mutant brothers and sisters, Sunfire is a complicated character but no less deserving of a spot in any X-Men adaptation.

2

Armor Is a Major Player In Modern Mutant Affairs

The Young Armored Mutant Is the Star of The Ultimate Universe’s X-Men Book

Hisako Ichiki, aka Armor, is one of the X-Men’s youngest members and one of their most compelling and exciting members. With the power to form a psionic armor around herself at any time, Armor’s abilities grant her greatly enhanced strength and durability and allow her to face off against other energy-based enemies.

From her bond with Wolverine in the pages of Astonishing X-Men to her Ultimate Universe counterpart spearheading the bold new direction for the X-Men in the pages of the ongoing Ultimate X-Men, Armor is a fan-favorite character from the last few decades, and her spot in a live-action adaptation of the team is a no-brainer. With a fierce attitude and incredible powers to match, Armor is one of the best recent X-Men characters, and her future is looking bright.

1

Forge Is the X-Men’s Technological Genius

The Mutant Technopath Forge Is One of the X-Men’s Best Members

For decades, the mutant known as Forge has been a staple of the X-Men’s stories. From his personal connection with Storm and their adventures together in the iconic Lifedeath storyline to his work as the X-Men’s resident technology expert, Forge has become one of the most iconic heroes in the mutant pantheon.

Heavily involved with both X-Factor and X-Force, the Cheyenne-born Forge is a jack of all trades in the mutant community. Forge can innately understand any technology or device, a power that makes him incredibly useful against such foes as the Sentinels or the Phalanx. His time as an X-Man is rooted in compelling character drama, exciting action, and wonderful usages of his unique powers. It’s a shock that Forge has yet to receive a live-action adaptation, and it is long past due.

“}]] Many fan-favorite X-Men have appeared in the numerous live-aciton movies over the years, but some incredible characters have yet to see the big screen  Read More