And how has the X-franchise managed to survive this long?
We had a look at its bumpy and unconvential route to success…
The first twoX-Menfilms were excellent.
And this is where things started to go wrong.
Tasked with directing a sequel to the immensely well-receivedX-2, Ratner inherited plot strands that Singer had left dangling.
The results were a mixed bag, it seems fair to say.
This is when some studios executives may have started to worry.
Perhaps a couple of itchy trigger fingers were begin to hover over the big red reboot button.
There was particular disdain for films third-act decision to sew up the mouth of Ryan Reynolds Wade Wilson.
In the comics, Wade became Deadpool: the ever-chatty Merc With The Mouth, whom many readers adore.
Here, hed been turned into a mute baddie with laser eyes.
It was a tough call.
In Bryan Singers originalX-Menmovie, the audience was essentially introduced to the eponymous team through the eyes of Wolverine.
Its a film that could cater to everyone, regardless of their stance was on theX-Menfranchise at the time.
Wolverine still looked the same, and Magneto was still embittered at mankind because of World War II.
But now it was younger and sexier and Mystique was Charles childhood best friend.
And so, James Mangolds filmThe Wolverinewas next out of the gate.
Hes haunted by her memory, as Famke Janssen infiltrates his dreams as a manifestation of Wolvies guilt.
The original trilogy still counted, and still mattered.
Can the past save the future?
is perhaps the easiest way to sum it up.
Not content with that impressive feat,Days Of Future Pastflirts with the big red reboot button even further.
And, it seems safe to assume that everything post-1973 fromX-Men Origins: WolverineandThe Wolverineis no longer canonical either.
Charles, Jean and Cyclops have all returned to life, for starters.
Like the young cast of JJJ AbramsStar Trekreboot, these guys are now free to have their own adventures.
These may include reimaginings of old material, or even cameos from the original actors where possible.
Now that the timeline has been rebooted, they finally got around to making that long-talked-aboutDeadpoolmovie.
And, although its now starting to wind down a little,Deadpoolhasnt even finished its theatrical run yet.
The film earned lots of positive reviews too, making it an utter slam-dunk on every measurable scale.
This is a movie that literally doesnt know where it fits inX-Mencontinuity lest we forget that McAvoy or Stewart?
was never answered but it still became a massive hit.
Of course, the team fromFirst Classhave their story to carry on with as well.
TheX-Menfranchises self-rebooting is still going on, and talks are already afoot for anX-Men 7to followApocalypse.
Make no mistake This franchise is in no danger of slowing down.
Channing Tatum) under its ever-broadeningX-Menbanner.
TV seriesHellfireandLegionare in development as well.
But now, theX-Menuniverse is full of opportunities.
I dont think so.
