Summary
As one of the longest-running superhero franchises, there have been a litany of greatX-Menmovie scenes that didn’t make it into the final edit - even if they absolutely should have. TheX-Menmovie timelineis one of the broadest inMarvelmovie history, with seven central movies and a swathe of solo projects and spin-offs. Each of these included some incredible deleted scenes that provided essential characterization and plot developments that should have been included in the final cut.
ManyX-Menmovieshave had deleted scenes restored through special edition home releases. Notably, the firstX-Menmovie was released on DVD with a wealth of missing scenes under the titleX-Men 1.5. Later,X-Men: Days of Future PastreleasedThe Rogue Cut, which added a lot of deleted scenes to the cinematic edit. Considering how effective the very best deletedX-Menscenes are, eachX-Menmovie probably should have done something similar.
10 X-Men Movie Scenes Taken Straight From The Comics
The X-Men movies were frequently based on classic X-Men stories and sometimes featured perfect renditions of classic panels from Marvel Comics.
10Jean And Xavier Discuss Her Powers
X-Men (2000)
A deleted scene featuring Jean Grey and Professor Xavier inX-Men(2000)effectively foreshadows Jean’s eventual transformation into the PhoenixinX-Men: The Last Stand.In this scene, Xavier discusses his difficulty locating Magneto through Cerebro, prompting Jean to offer her assistance. Xavier, however, declines her offer, insisting that she isn’t ready to handle such a powerful task.
Skip to 8:04 to watch the deleted Xavier and Jean scene fromX-Men(2000).
Jean expresses her concerns, mentioning that she constantly feels her powers expanding beyond her control. This exchange highlights her internal struggle with her growing abilities, a crucial element of her character arc that becomes central inThe Last Stand. By addressing Jean’s expanding powers and Xavier’s protective stance early on, the scenebetter establishes the groundwork for her eventual descent into the Phoenix. This early hint would have provided a more cohesive narrative, enhancing the impact of her later transformation.
X-Men
Cast
X-Men, released in 2000, introduces Wolverine and Rogue as they join Professor Xavier’s private academy for mutants. The resident superhero team, the X-Men, led by Xavier, confronts a terrorist organization of mutants with similar abilities, highlighting the ongoing conflict between humans and mutants.
9Young Mutants Go To The Mall
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
An extended cut of the shopping mall sequence inX-Men: Apocalypsefeaturing Jubilee, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler captures a vibrant slice of 1980s culture. Set to the classic 1982 song “Safety Dance,” this scene is a nostalgic homage to the era, showcasing the characters engaging in typical teenage activities and enjoying their youthful camaraderie. The sequence provides valuable world-building,giving viewers a proper glimpse into the lives of the young X-Menbefore they fully develop into the heroes they’re destined to become.
This lighthearted moment contrasts with the more serious themes of the film, offering a respite that humanizes the characters and deepens their backstories. Importantly, the scene alsohighlights a significant development in theX-Menuniverse: the growing acceptance of mutants in society. The youngmutants inX-Men: Apocalypseare seen interacting with the public without fear or prejudice, reflecting a more inclusive world developing across theX-Menfranchise.
X-Men Apocalypse
The third installment of the X-Men prequel films, and the ninth film in the overall X-Men movie franchise, X-Men: Apocalypse once again sees Professor Xavier and Magneto on opposite sides of a catastrophic conflict. Having been raised from the dead, the ancient mutant Apocalypse wishes to wipe out all of humanity, and recruits four mutants including Magneto to help him in his quest, leading Xavier and his young team of X-Men to try and stop them. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender reprise their roles as Professor Xavier and Magneto, with a larger ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Munn, and Oscar Isaac.
8Xavier Reasons With Storm
In a deletedX-Men: Apocalypsescene, Professor Xavier attempts to reason with Storm upon noticing her hesitancy to fully commit to Apocalypse’s cause. During the scene, Storm looks uncomfortable when Apocalypse begins destroying the planet, prompting Xavier to whisper to her,appealing to her humanity and remarking that she clearly isn’t a killer. This scene helps reposition Storm not as a simple villain under Apocalypse’s control, but as a conflicted hero wrestling with her choices and allegiances.
Xavier’s intervention suggests his role as a mentor and his deep understanding of his future student’s potential for goodness. By highlighting Storm’s internal conflict, the scene aligns more closely with her character from the comics, where she is portrayed as a heroic figure. This interaction reveals her vulnerabilities and doubts,making her later decisions to join the X-Men and fight for a just cause more believable.
7Rogue Returns Without The Cure
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
In an alternate ending forX-Men: The Last Stand, Rogue returns to the Xavier mansion without receiving the cure - a moment thataligns more closely with the core message of theX-Menseries. In this scene, Rogue explains to her boyfriend, Bobby, that she could not go through with the cure, despite the strain her life-force absorbing powers have put on their relationship. This decision highlights Rogue’s acceptance of her identity and powers, contrasting with the film’s original implication that she took the cure.
Skip to 8:45 to watch the alternate ending with Rogue’s return fromX-Men: The Last Stand.
By choosing to remain a mutant, Rogueembodies the message of self-acceptance and pride in one’s unique abilities, a central theme of theX-Menuniverse. The scene culminates with Rogue proudly declaring,“This is who I am,“a powerful statement of self-affirmation that better concludes her character arc. This statement emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s true self rather than conforming to societal expectations.
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: The Last Stand is the third film in the X-Men series, featuring the conflict between mutants over a newly discovered cure for mutations. The film showcases the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, opposing the Brotherhood, led by Magneto, as tensions escalate within the mutant community.
6Xavier And Cyclops Escape
X2: X-Men United (2003)
In a chilling deleted scene fromX2: X-Men United, Professor Xavier and Cyclops believe they have escaped William Stryker’s compound but are still firmly inside Jason Stryker’s illusion. The scene depicts Xavier breaking free from Jason’s control, retrieving Cyclops from his cell, and flying a helicopter back to the Xavier Mansion. There, Xavier meets a young mutant whoimplores him to find the X-Men, leading to Xavier almost killing the world’s mutants.
Skip to 7:04 to watch Xavier and Cyclops’s deleted escape scene fromX2: X-Men United.
This scene inX2was far more effective atestablishing why Xavier would need to locate mutants, as he and Cyclops think they have returned to an empty mansion. This scene demonstrates the high stakes of their mission, with Jason able to fool the world’s most powerful psychic. Moreover, this moment allows Xavier to be far more active than usual in theX-Menprequels, where he is frequently absent from the action.
X2: X-Men United
X2 is the second installment in the X-Men film series, where Professor Charles Xavier’s team faces growing anti-mutant forces led by Col. William Stryker. In response, mutants Storm, Wolverine, and Jean Grey form an uneasy alliance with adversaries Magneto and Mystique to counter Stryker’s plans to eradicate mutants.
5Wolverine And Storm Kiss
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
X-Men: Days of Future Pastalluded to a potential romance between Wolverine and Storm in the future timeline. However, their love is confirmed in a deleted scene where the pair share a kiss moments before Wolverine is sent back in time. This moment is noteworthy for enhancing their individual narratives while alsoelevating the jeopardy of their respective tasks. The couple’s romantic connection highlights the sacrifices they are willing to make, making their actions feel even more noble and poignant.
Wolverine and Storm’s kiss inDays of Future Pastrecalls their romantic relationship in the comics, which is often overlooked in adaptations. In the comics, theirromance is particularly notable in dystopian future timelines, mirroring their dire circumstances. The inclusion of this scene would have provided a richer context for their characters, highlighting the personal costs of their fight against the Sentinel-dominated future.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
X-Men: Days of Future Past features a time-traveling mission where the ultimate X-Men ensemble battles across two periods. Combining forces with their younger selves, they attempt to alter the past to ensure the future of their species. Released in 2014, the film stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past - 10 Biggest Differences Between The Comic & Movie
The comic and movie versions of Days of Future Past have similarities, but for the most part, are very different stories with different outcomes.
4Bolivar Trask Is Taken Into Custody
In a deleted scene fromX-Men: Days of Future Past,Bolivar Trask is revealed to have committed treason, leading President Nixon to call for his arrest. Nixon’s remark that the government needs some mutants on their side is particularly significant, as it teases the formation of X-Factor, the government-led mutant hero troupe from the comics. This scene also provides proper closure byshowcasing a pivotal shift in human-mutant relationsand Trask’s downfall.
It illustrates the government turning against the anti-mutant agenda previously propagated by Trask,indicating a potential alliance between humans and mutants. This development stresses themes of unity and cooperation, emphasizing that overcoming prejudice requires effort from both sides. Including this scene inDays of Future Pastwould present these notions clearly - though they were implied by the post-credits scene in which Trask is seen in prison.
3Jean Grey Senses A Crying Girl
In a poignant deleted scene fromX-Men: The Last Stand, Jean Grey senses a young girl crying after Magneto moves the Golden Gate Bridge. As Jean makes eye contact with the girl, abrief moment of clarity and morality returns to her. This fleeting connection with the child’s fear and innocence temporarily restores Jean’s humanity, suggesting that she is not entirely lost to the Phoenix’s destructive power.
Skip to 6:08 to watch the deleted Jean Grey scene fromX-Men: The Last Stand.
This scene fromX-Men: The Last Standis crucial as it accentuates the internal struggle Jean faces between her Phoenix persona and her original compassionate self. It adds a layer of complexity to her character, indicating that despite the overwhelming influence of the Phoenix,Jean’s true essence still lingers within her.This moment of vulnerability and empathy makes her final scene one of the mosttragic X-Men deaths.
2Wolverine’s Yellow Suit
The Wolverine (2013)
In an infamous deleted scene fromThe Wolverine, Logan is presented witha comic-accurate yellow and brown costume, a nod to his classic look from the comics. This moment represents one of the biggest unfulfilled teases in theX-Menfilm series, as audiences have waited a long time to see Wolverine don his iconic costume on the big screen.The scene offers a rare example of a comic-accurate costume in the X-Men movie franchise, which often opted for more grounded and subdued designs.
This moment highlights Wolverine’s legacy but also deepens his character by connecting his cinematic portrayal with his comic book identity. The costumesymbolizes his evolution and the duality of his persona- having come to terms with his grief over Jean Grey’s death and becoming a stronger, more true hero. A comic-accurate Wolverine costume went unfulfilled for years, but will finally be actualized in theMCU’sDeadpool & Wolverine.
The Wolverine
The Wolverine: This film follows Logan, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, as he undertakes a transformative journey in Japan. Confronted by his most formidable adversaries, Wolverine is pushed to his physical, emotional, and mortal limits while navigating challenges that alter his life and identity forever.
1Iceman and Magneto Rescue Rogue
The best deletedX-Menmovie scene is fromX-Men: Days of Future Past, when Magneto and Iceman embark on a daring mission to rescue Rogue from the Sentinels. This thrilling chase and fight sequence culminates in Iceman’s noble sacrifice. The rescue explores the characters' deep bonds, with Magneto and Rogue’s dynamicrecalling their combative relationship from earlier films. Iceman’s sacrifice underscores the harsh realities of their battle against the Sentinels, making the consequences feel more tangible.
This scene was restored inX-Men: Days of Future Past - TheRogue Cutproffers a gripping action sequence and poignant characterization, enriching the overall story andcentering on characters sidelined by the original cut. It also bridges the gap between the franchise’s early movies and its more recent installments, celebrating the continuity and evolution of the characters.TheRogue Cutversion delivers a more complete and emotionally resonant experience, cementing this scene’s status as a standout moment in theX-Menseries.
