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X - Men , released in 2000 , predates the superhero rage by a decade . This much - anticipated adaptation of the beloved Marvel Comics gang of mutants features an ensemble cast , most of whom would continue to act in the dealership ’s 12 additional films , which ranges fromX - Mensequels to spin - offs likeDeadpool .
While it ’s impossible to imagineX - Menwithout Sir Ian McKellan or Hugh Jackman , they were n’t 20th Century Fox ’s first choice . rove this larger-than-life feature article was a major attempt , and quite a few big name in Hollywood were on the roster . While some twist the opportunity down , others were deny the roles they need .
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe was at the height of his career as an edgy , rugged action star whenX - Menwent into production , making him the first choice for Wolverine . Why did the role of this animalistic mutant with retractable claws in each handgo to Hugh Jackmaninstead ?
Crowe turn down the offer out of awe of being typecast and also because he knew next to nothing about the comic book reference . Instead , he encouraged his fellow Aussie Jackson to go for it instead .
Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan , who is know for playing the Borg Seven of Nine inStar Trek : Voyager , was up for the role of Mystique . This member of Magneto ’s Brotherhood of Mutants is a physique - shifting beauty who can feign the forms and voice of other mass and animals .
Ultimately , the theatrical role operate to another blond : Rebecca Romijn . Ryan went on to star in other popular boob tube series likeBoston Publicand the CBSStar TrekrevivalPicard .
Michael Jackson
ostensibly , the King of Pop was a huge fan of theX - Mencomics . Michael Jackson reached out to producers multiple clock time hoping to playthe founder of the X - Men , Charles Xavier(aka Professor X ) .
Despite his status , Jackson was never seriously considered for the function of Xavier , which went to the much older Sir Patrick Stewart . Stewart has continued to play the older Xavier in every subsequent film in theX - Menfranchise .
Janet Jackson
Michael was n’t the only Jackson obsessed with the X - Men . His sis Janet also petitioned to roleplay Storm , a smutty mutant who can hold the weather and the atmosphere .
Fellow tonic star Mariah Carey also put her name in the lid for the use , which was yield to Halle Berry . Berry reprize the role in three additional films ; Alexandra Shipp play a younger Storm inX - work force : ApocalypseandX - human : Dark Phoenix .
Keanu Reeves
newly off the succeeder ofThe Matrix , Keanu Reeves take off his Neo sunglass and hop to put on a pair of Wolverine claws . Reeves was one of many actors considered for the role after Russell Crowe turn into down .
Other competition admit Mel Gibson , Aaron Eckhart , Edward Norton , and Viggo Mortensen . In a recent interview , Reeves expressed his sorrow over not put down the role , saying , " I always wanted to play Wolverine . "
Jim Caviezel
Jim Caviezel was the first role player cast as Cyclops , a mutant who can emit beams of hard energy from his center . Knownfor war featureslikeThe RockandThe Thin Red Line , Caviezel back out ofX - Mendue to scheduling dispute with the filmFrequency .
James Marsden jumped into the role of Cyclops , aka Scott Summers , a role he fulfill in each subsequentX - Menfilm . Caviezel went on to play Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson ’s controversialThe Passion of the Christ .
Helen Hunt
Before the persona of Jean Grey belong to Famke Janssen , it was offered to Helen Hunt . Hunt , in gamey demand after star in XC action mechanism blockbuster likeTwister , say no to the function inX - Men .
Grey , a mutant and medical doc at X - Mansion , possesses telekinesis and telepathy . Sophie Turner portraysa younger Grey in theX - Menprequel films .
Glenn Danzig
Believe it or not , the singer of the punk rock band The Misfits wasunder consideration to meet Wolverineat one head . Glenn Danzig was in person invited by twentieth Century Fox to audition for the role , but he declined the opportunity due to other obligations .
How did this rock musician terminate up on Fox ’s radar ? It turns out Danzig ’s height and bod at the time match funny book descriptions of Wolverine to a T.
Natalie Portman
The young mutant Rogue flees Mississippi and recover refuge with Xavier ’s gang inX - Men . The role was write withNatalie Portman in mind , who turned down the chance .
A number of other actors were consider for the purpose before it went to Anna Paquin : Drew Barrymore , Katie Holmes , Sarah Michelle Gellar , and Christina Ricci . Paquin dropped out of the movieTartto adept in the moving picture .
Terence Stamp
" Ah , my brother , welcome . " Terrance Stamp , a British histrion known for bet Zod in the Christopher ReevesSupermanfilms , almost played Magneto alternatively of Sir Ian McKellan .
Stamp is n’t the only talented Brit view for the role : Christopher Lee , who went on toplay Saruman inLord of the Rings , was also in the running . McKellan will now forever be colligate with the rogue sport , who is play by Michael Fassbender in the prequel cinema .
NEXT :X - Men : 10 thing You Did n’t Know About The 2000 Movie
