2. Nightcrawler
Then would come the magnificent Kurt Wagner, aka Nightcrawler. A perpeutal comic-book favorite, his sole film appearance in X2 had him stealing the show from the likes of Wolverine, Cyclops and the others. He exemplifies the plight of the mutants like no other character does. While other mutants can sheathe their Adamantium claws or put on their ruby sunglasses, Nightcrawler cannot hide what he is. As a devout Christian it makes going to Church a touch difficult when you stink of brimstone. The character he has a lot of depth with his joking, swashbuckling persona hiding the tragic loner inside.
While I have to acknowledge that commercially-speaking it probably wouldn’t do Marvel/Disney’s bank balance much good, I’m approaching this question from a creative/storywise perspective – and by that criteria a “Nightcrawler Origins” movie would be a fascinating prospect, rewinding back to his German roots and circus-freak days, exploring his awesome powers (Nightcrawler has the most awesome power-set of the entire bunch, I’d wager), and carrying right through to his eventual hook-up with Professor X and the gang.
Again drawing from the rich tapestry of X-canon, picture the villagers of Winzeldorf, Germany, on a witch-hunt to capture the innocent Kurt Wagner for a spate of child killings, having decided from his demonic appearance that he is the guilty party. Only the divine intervention of Professor Charles Xavier saves Wagner from the hatred of the mob and sets up his destiny as an X-Man. Add to that the fact that his mother is none other than Mystique and surely we’re getting somewhere again: in fact, why not make a Mystique film (including Wagner’s birth) and follow it directly with a Nightcrawler feature?
– Sajeel Awan & Joe Swindel
1. Shadowcat
Next for the big-screen makeover – and perhaps best of all – would be Kitty Pryde: Shadowcat would make for an awesome standalone adventure. For one thing, Ellen Page, who portrayed the character in X-Men 3: The Last Stand, could easily carry a movie on her own, especially given a much more substantial part. The existing backstory provided by the printed page is rich with possibilities; the fact that her grandfather was held in a Nazi concentration camp (a possibility therefore of interlinking somewhat with Magneto’s familiar backstory), and the fact that both Professor Xavier and the Hellfire Club’s White Queen (last seen in First Class) were initially engaged in a tug-of-war with the teenage Kitty Pryde for her allegiance and future. Hell of a movie waiting to happen there. Across the brimming canon of X-Men comic titles, Shadowcat also has strong relationships with the likes of Nightcrawler and Colossus, who would potentially figure heavily in any Shadowcat movie.
Of course, all of that is as likely to happen as Jar Jar Binks featuring heavily in the next Star Wars trilogy – this is merely optimistic wish-listing. All we’re ACTUALLY likely to ever end up with is Wolverine 3, 4, and 5; that’s why, as entertaining as the films can be at times, the comics can never really be bettered. And surely only a philistine would disagree with that sentiment?
What X-Men characters would you want to see get solo films?
