X2 stars Kris Kristofferson, Demi Moore, James Purefoy, Tom Hanks, Ethan Hawke, Robin Tunney, Robin Givens and Sean Penn with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Gillian Anderson, Russell Crowe and Keith David.
It's worth reading (but not a necessity) Part 1 to (better) understand this.
X-MEN: GENESIS
A bartender asks a man what brings him here. "Alaska's not one of those places people usually run off to to find themselves." The camera shows the man to be Scott Summers. "I don't know. It's sort of going back to the beginning for me; starting over, I guess." The man introduces himself to Scott as Nathan Drake and offers his friendship to the retired hero.
Meanwhile, The X-Men adjust to the new house guests in the Cajun thief, Remy LeBeau, who asked to be called Gambit, and their long-time adversary, Magneto, who, if not for the team's accommodations, would have surely died during the Muir Island Wars. The team warms up to Magneto and he, in turn, takes to them as a mentor and a surprisingly positive, but slightly more assertive, influence. Gambit is seen as an outsider.
Back to Scott, who is introduced to another newcomer, Madelyn 'Maddie' Pryor. She recently woke from the coma that was the result of her being the only survivor of a plane crash 7 months ago. Due to amnesia, she was dubbed Maddie Pryor.
Next, Mr Sinister meets with the Marauders: Sabretooth and Scalphunter, decades-old associates of Sinister; Havok, an orphan guided by Sinister until he reached his potential; and the (foster) mother-daughter team of Mystique and Rogue that led their former teammates to their deaths at the request of Sinister.
The movie switches focus to the action packed training of the X-Men implemented by Magneto and led by field leader, Storm. Gambit's personality is definitely clashing with his teammates.
Scott and Maddie find happiness in Alaska, save his night terrors. Nathan and Maddie are worried for Scott as he never truly opens up.
The Marauders, in the absence of Sinister, go on missions to prepare for the 'big day.' They kidnap, kill and steal.
The sewer-dwelling Morlocks are introduced. Angel has found a home with them. He woke up in an alley way in the city only to be discovered by Leech and Caliban. He has no idea how he got there. All he knows is that, to his old teammates, he is dead. He and the Morlock's take-no-BS leader, Callisto, fall for each other.
A year goes by and the Marauders are steps ahead of the X-Men, who, themselves, have become more formidable than ever under Magneto's guidance. Still, Magneto seems slightly underhanded and mysterious at times, no more than Gambit, of course.
Although growing more distant from both Maddie and his close friend, Nathan, Scott, with Maddie, learns he will be having a child. This is not the greatest news as it piggy backs a darker, more disturbing secret Scott is hiding. He is starting to see his dead, former wife, Jean; sometimes as Marvel Girl, sometimes as Dark Phoenix, other times as a civilian and occasionally as a corps risen from the grave.
Angel decides it is time to visit his old team. He takes Callisto and a few others with him. He wants to bring awareness to the existence of the Morlocks. He hopes that the X-Men will except them as he has; he hopes they will except him. Warren also plans to tell them that he will live out his days where he feels he belongs, among the Morlocks.
The closer Maddie comes to giving birth, the farther Scott plunges into depression and the more common his sightings are. Maddie grows closer and closer to Nathan.
En route to the X-mansion, Angel, Callisto and the others pass a shape-shifting, incognito Mystique.
The visit to the heroes does not go as Angel plans. Callisto flips out on the X-Men in typical fashion; they can never understand what the Morlocks go through and so on. The realization that Angel is alive and that he has chosen the Morlocks over the X-Men is very emotional. A fight breaks out between Callisto and Storm and the Morlocks and X-Men. The fights ends with Storm telling them the door is always open for them and any mutant, sans Callisto, wherein Angel says his home is with her, and abruptly slams the door.
When Maddie goes into labor Scott rushes her to the hospital. Street lights start breaking and cars are being flung across the streets like paper balls in a class room. Scott is nervous but sees a correlation between Maddie's contractions and the bizarre occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Marauders savagely attack, torture and destroy the non-violent Morlocks. 1 Morlock escapes to call on the X-Men for help. 1/2 the Morlocks are wiped out by the time the Marauders leave.
In Alaska, Nathan arrives at the hospital to be by his friend's side. In the room, Maddie flips out again, almost possessed, screaming in tongue. Shouting obscenities and then speaking to Scott directly. Nathan looks on scared and confused as Scott is telekenically lifted and addressed by Maddie. As the equipment around her lights on fire, she tells him the X-Men are in danger. She tells him to "leave now and save them. No matter how much you want me to be Jean, I am not her." As that was the 1st time her name had been spoken aloud since his stay in Alaska, it left him dumbfounded. With almost no hesitation, Scott runs out the door, leaving Nathan scared and confused, with Maddie close to giving birth.
The X-Men, with Magneto, arrive in the tunnels. Walking and climbing over a hundred dead bodies, to include Angel, who is 'dead' again. Callisto takes it out on the X-Men and accuses them of the massacre. Storm tries to calm her. She explains they've "been tracking the team for months. Thanks to Wolverine we know this was the very team we've been after. We're able to name 4 of the 5 members. Scalphunter, Sabretooth, who Wolverine warns us is extremely dangerous, Mystique and Rogue, whom we've fought several times in the past and another whose sent is unknown to Wolverine." Wolverine throws his 2 cents in about Sabretooth and Scalphunter, and Magneto throws in his pertaining to Mystique, noting he holds no grudges with Rogue, feeling she is being manipulated.
BTW... It's worth mentioning that every scene Rogue is in she shows a great amount of regret and shame for her criminal activities.
Every Scene Gambit is in there is a growing distrust of him.
Storm offers, 1 last time, to board the survivors. Callisto turns violent. She takes out her emotions on Storm. She says she makes the calls, not Storm. The only way Storm can take them from the tunnels that have kept them save for decades is by leading them. If she can beat Callisto, then she can make the call. In a no-powers brawl, Storm barely beats Callisto. In pain and out of breathe, Storm's 1st order as the Morlock leader is for them to find haven in the mansion where they will stay hidden but be safer than before. As Storm hovers over the fallen Callisto, she offers the Morlock a home in the mansion as well. When she reaches out to Callisto to help her up, Callisto slices the forearm of the weather goddess and goes in for the kill, Gambit reacts by knocking Callisto back with his staff and stabbing her, killing her. This does not go over well with the others. Magneto is fine with the outcome.
Once again, Angel's body is missing.
The next day Cyclops arrives, fills them in on where he's been and tells them Maddie somehow was able to tell him about the massacre and that they aren't done. They will be back. He tells them that he believes she is a part of Jean in a way that he can't explain. Of course, they think he's a little nutty, but his strengths outweigh his weaknesses.
In Alaska, Maddie gives birth to a baby boy she names Nathan, as she and Scott discussed, in honor of their good friend, who is there in place of Scott. They share a kiss. Hours later, Whirlwind breaks into the room and kidnaps baby Nathan. Everything in the hospital goes haywire. When Maddie finally hits that last inch before going completely mad, Nathan stands, wind blowing, fire, chaos and all, is ignored, and the only friend 2 strangers had in common morphs into Mr Sinister.
"If you let me, Madelyne, I can help you. I can help you become strong. You know deep within you are not real. You're nothing more than a clone. You were created to drive Scott away from his friends. Because of you, my master will not win. We won't let him, will we? Your son will save us, Madelyne."
Her screams echo throughout the hospital. She loses her last bit of insanity.
"What you should know, darling, is that so many, many people had to die in order for this to happen. Come with me, my child. We have unfinished business."
The Marauders: Sabretooth. Scalphunter, Havok, Mystique, Rogue and Sinister battle the
X-Men: Magneto, Storm, Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler,Colossus, Shadowcat and Cyclops
Sinister squares off with Magneto. Havok and Cyclops battle to a standstill, realizing they are brothers. Wolverine and Sabretooth have the coolest fight ever on screen. Sparks fly and flirtation is thick with Rogue and Gambit.
Madelyne Pryor AKA Hellfire, makes her entrance.
The obvious 'WTF is going on here with this b!+h?" And 'OMG, Maddie is working with Mystique and her crew and where did her Jean Grey-like powers come from?"
And of course, who is this vampire dude that call himself Sinister and why are they trying to kill the Morlocks and us?"
Magneto is shouting to Cyclops that he's the only one that can stop Sinister. "Blast him!" He screams. Cyclops, clearly preoccupied with Maddie and Havok, ignores Magneto. Magneto dies. Magneto's dying words explain Sinister's obsession to Cyclops. "Charles and I agreed, decades ago, to put aside our petty beliefs and join each other in destroying him if he ever returned for you."
Cyclops unleashes an insanely powerful blast, or rather a succession of blasts, on Sinister, driving him to the ground in much deserved agony until Madelyne unleashes her powers on everyone. While trying to obliterate every person around her, she tells them what she has learned from Sinister. Her clone origins and where her child has been taken. Sinister tries to kill her in order to stop her but is taken down again and when Havok defends his 'father' he is put through so much torture that his chest explodes. Cyclops begs her to stop. "If you are a part of Jean, then please stop. Neither you nor her are capable of murder. She chose to die instead of become a soulless killer. Maddie, please!"
The words don't faze her; she is too far gone. Sabretooth escapes in the melee. Hellfire is on the brink of killing Gambit when Rogue absorbs Cyclops and blasts away at Maddie. She turns her sights on Rogue and is killed with a knife to the back by Mystique.
Scalphunter sneaks away as they take in the disaster. Sinister and Havok have vanished. In the end, only Mystique and Rogue are left to be punished. Mystique begs for the X-Men to take in Rogue. "She is innocent of all of this and does not belong with me; with this filth."
Storm speaks for the group, "Leave her, Mystique, and never return. If you ever come back, or if we ever cross paths again, we will not be as forgiving. Wolverine looks to be itching to get you." Wolverine grins.
Rogue and Mystique have a heartfelt good bye. Mystique says "If what Hellfire, or whatever that one was calling herself, said was true. You haven't seen the last of Sinister. He and I go back as long as I can remember, and if there's one thing we both know about, it's survival. He speaks about someone called En Saba Nur and was always talking about the apocalypse. (To Rogue) I may not have been the best person, but I always did what was best for you Rogue. (Turns to Nightcrawler and softly touches his face) I only wish I was there for you too, son. Maybe its better for both of you this way."
CAST:
X-MEN
Magneto
Bio
In an homage to the comics, like it was never imagined before, the X-Men's greatest adversary switches sides to become, controversially, their toughest mentor to date (foreshadowing the coming events in the comics referred to as the Age of Apocalypse) until his untimely death.
For a greater understanding of Magneto, or, at least, from where his inception may have (un)knowingly been inspired, look no further than Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and pay close attention to Shylock.
Kris Kristofferson
Age: 59
Bio
Admittedly, He wasn't in the greatest movies in the late 80's, leading into the early 90's, but that doesn't take away from his natural badassery. In the 70's he won an award for best newcomer and didn't upset by following that up with a Golden Globe for best actor. Kris Kris is almost the picture perfect Magneto in the 90's. Originally, I chose the equally impressive and, slightly more intimidating, Clint Eastwood. He still stands as the best possible choice. If he turned it down, Kristofferson is the best option to take the mantle.
Storm
Bio
If Cyclops is the epicenter of the trilogy, then Storm is the hub of the team itself.
Played by
Robin Givens
Age: 30
Bio
Most significantly, Givens starred in the Comedy Boomerang. Her beauty and command of the scream made her the best choice to play the X-Men's co-leader turned leader in this trilogy.
Wolverine
Bio
Hey look! It's an X-Men movie that knows how cool a character Wolverine is but doesn't shove that concept down our throats. Note: he is nudged in the direction of our throats this time, but never fully pushed yet.
Played by
Russell Crowe
Age: 31
Bio
Originally I was using Mel Gibson, but he's less useful in a trilogy format being of an age where he's going to show it after a few years. Even though Wolverine fights like a mad man in each movie he's going to progressively get more wild in each. Crowe, in The Crossing and Proof, proved he was lead actor material in Australian cinema. In '95 he starred in The Quick and the Dead and Virtuosity and, along with this growing role, Crowe becomes a huge, heavy-hitting Hollywood actor. Not as short as I'd like (neither was Gibson) but then who is. Crowe is more than capable of bringing the ferocity of Wolverine to the big screen.
Nightcrawler
Bio
The deepest character of the bunch, he is the soul of the team. Not everyone's story can develop in the 1st movie. His story comes at the end, in a shocking way, of this movie.
Played by
Sean Penn
Age: 34
Bio
Most notably, Carlito's way would be his ticket to X-Men. It was at this point, by way of Dead Man Walking, he achieved leading man status. Personally, I can't stand him as a person, the hypocritical bastard, but his talent as an actor is undeniable.
Colossus
Bio
The most powerful is also the most gentle. Piotr does not have a relationship with Kitty but they do have a strong bond that borders on love.
Played by
Clancy Brown
Age: 36
Bio
He built a reputation as a formidable, battle torn fighter in Highlander. His height (6'4"), his brow and his booming voice equal Colossus if you ask me. I know there is a huge age difference in the age between Peter and Kitty but they are the best actors for the parts.
Shadowcat
Bio
Kitty may be the youngest member but she's by no means naive or out of place. She tough and smart and has a crush on Colossus that becomes less about love and more 'wow he's so dreamy and awesome.' It's more like if you worked with the athlete you crush on. For me, it's like if I worked with Trish Stratus. She's as talented and amazing in that ring as she is beautiful.
Angelina Jolie
Age: 20
Bio
If you are a hater of one of our generation's most talented actresses you are crazy. Hackers, the '95 thriller, proved she was a leading starlet.
Gambit
Bio
The distrust for the Cajun is at a boiling point. What can he do to prove his worth? Or, is the better question, what is he going to do to prove them right?
Ethan Hawke
Age: 24
Bio
My 1st choice was actually Vincent Cassel. At 26 years old ('93) the French actor is perfect. The original Gambit was not the Abercrombie model he is today. He was actually modeled off of John Malkovich. It was his charisma and his grunge appeal that made him a ladies man. Cassel would be PERFECT if I knew that he spoke English. I can assume so as it is likely but that's not playing fare.
If he is out of the question, then without a doubt my go to actor is Ethan Hawke. White Fang and Alive were 2 of my favorite movies when I was young. Truly, White Fang was one of my top 5 childhood favorites.
FORMER X-MEN
Cyclops
Bio
This trilogy gives top billing to Cyclops. This is his journey as you will see when reading the plots.
Played by
James Purefoy
Age: 31
Bio
Starring in a few TV episodes and one TV movie it would be a risk that pays off in dividends if Purefoy was cast as the '93 Cyclops. Originally I had Patrick Dempsey but he just wasn't tough enough for me. Cyclops deserves to be treated with respect.
Angel
Bio
The conflict within him is immense. He doesn't know what to do or where he belongs. What will become of him?
Brad Pitt
Age: 31
A River Runs Through It, Kalifornia, True Romance, Interview with a Vampire, Se7en and 12 Monkeys. He is an extraordinary actor.
MARAUDERS
Mr Sinister
Bio
I love that everything Sinister does has a purpose. The only other thing I can say right now is that he is absolutely, positively not short-sighted.
Keith David
Age: 37
Bio
I don't think anyone will actually disagree with this pick but I may get a 'not origins' comment but he truly is the top option 20 years ago. To that end, he was also great 10 years ago.
Nathan Drake
Bio
I'm not for creating characters when there's so many to pick from, but I wanted a mystery and a shocker for the 'smart' fans. Calling him Nathaniel Essex wasn't going to fly. I came up with Drake, as in Dracula, to hint at the true image while being extremely vague.
Ian McShane
Age: 52
This single movie would give McShane his only movie credit in the 90's. For the thousands of my faithful followers (or not) you'll notice Mr McShane has been cast in each of my X-era movies. 1st, in 1964 as Beast, followed by Wolverine in 1978, this and in the present day cast as Shaw.
He plays a radically different role each time to show his diversity. He is the link to movies, otherwise, link-less. He's be the ultra nice guy friend of Slim, here, until he morphs into his true form and you realize it's all been a ruse. This character was designed for him in mind.
Mystique
Bio
She slowly becomes the nail in this story. I cant help but push Mystique in my fancasts as she is the most intriguing Marvel character in my eyes. She is the most repetitive character, aside from Professor X (who acts as the Nick Fury of the X-Men, recruiting each hero in the last scene of their respective movies) in my Giant-Sized fancasts that depict the origins of each G/S X-Man. She plays huge roles in Forge (who replaces Thunderbird), Wolverine and Nightcrawler.
Forge
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ager/news/?a=39365
Wolverine
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ager/news/?a=40722
Nightcrawler
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ager/news/?a=38746
Demi Moore
Age: 30
Bio
Moore was definitely one of the screen queens of the late 80's and 90's. It's only fitting that the seductively tough and equally skilled actress don the blue paint, skull headband and white dress.
Rogue
Bio
The torment of Rogue is, possibly, one of the most fascinating parts of the X-Men stories since her arrival. I would even have her utilize the powers of Ms Marvel to include that inner duality as well.
Robin Tunney
Age: 23
Bio
Tunney, most popular as the nasty, b!tch in Encino Man before this, she hit it big in Empire Records in '95. Great movie. She can nail the role and the proof is in that movie and The Craft, 1 year later.
Havok
Bio
Again, this is not the route I usually take with Havok. I enjoy making him a member of Sinister's Marauders but I usually make him the leader. This is also very different from what fans are use to. His relationship shadows, in some ways, the AoA that is published the same year the movie comes out.
Guy Pearce
Age: 29
Bio
Pearce has (had, I guess, since he is a part of the Iron Man mythos these days) great potential as a super hero. I like him, around this time, as an older Dare Devil or better than that, i chose him in my revision/recast of (not Incredible) Hulk back in '03. He would've also made a good Dr Strange, Batman, Mr Fantastic...
Sabretooth
Bio
The history between he and Wolverine will gladly be hinted at. He is NOT the missing link-like speechless cave man they made him in X1. That "scream for me." line should've been his personality throughout.
Dolph Lundgren
Age: 37
Bio
Picking Lundgren for this role made me realize how important I can make Sabretooth in this trilogy.
Scalphunter
Bio
Scalphunter is a Native American who originally fought in World War II for the United States. He gets shot by a firing squad and is believed killed. However, he survives and is found and recruited by Mister Sinister. He also has a history with Sabretooth, hinted at in the movie.
Wes Studi
Age: 47
Bio
He is best known for his roles as ruthless Native American warriors, such as the Pawnee in Dances with Wolves (1990), and Magua in The Last of the Mohicans (1992). A year later, he was cast with Eric Schweig (Thunderbird) for TNT's film The Broken Chain. In 1993, Studi had the lead in Geronimo: An American Legend.
Madelyne Pryor/Hellfire
Bio
The largest piece of Sinister's plan. She is key to this trilogy. About the code name; I never liked the name Goblin Queen and don't fully understand how that is a good name. So, as a nod to the Hellfire Club, if that wasn't already obvious, I went with Hellfire. It makes more sense as she has Jean's Phoenix (lite) powers, no?
Gillian Anderson
Age: 26
Bio
The X-Files star is no stranger to the bizarre. She is perfect for Jean Grey's clone gone wild.
MORLOCKS
Callisto
Bio
The extremely violent, short-tempered leader of the Morlocks.
Lori Petty
Age: 31
Bio
She is best known for playing Tyler Endicott in the 1991 film Point Break, Kit Keller in A League of Their Own (1992), and the title role in Tank Girl in 1995. She also voiced Livewire on SM:TAS. I don't remember Point Break but A League of Their Own is still one of those movies I love to watch. She's not the only reason I love that movie, every actor and actress is so great in it but she, along with Gena Davis, were the heart of the movie. She was so great and hit every emotion throughout the movie she was my 1st choice.
NEXT:
X-Men: Apocalypse 1997