SPOILERS: LOGAN Originally Included A Flashback Explaining What Happened To The X-MEN
Though it was never actually filmed, Logan co-writer Michael Green reveals that an early draft of the movie's script did include a flashback scene which spelled out what happened to the X-Men in detail.
Logan makes it clear that something happened to the other members of The X-Men a year before the events of the film, but it's deliberately left a little vague. It is made clear that Charles Xavier was involved, and it's strongly implied that he lost control and wiped at least some of his beloved students out with one of those devastatingly powerful seizures, but none of this is elaborated on in any great detail.
During an interview with THR, Logan co-writer Michael Green explains this decision, and also reveals that an early version of the script did include a flashback scene that spelled out exactly what occurred back in Westchester.
"It actually hits home a lot harder than the versions that really painted out specifically the flashback. Of course there are versions we wrote that were never filmed with the actual flashback of what happened, but I’ve found the experience of watching it is far more poignant to just know that it was something really regrettable and it was bad and most likely, friends were lost. Or maybe it was people we didn't know."
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Director James Mangold adds that he "wanted to make a movie less about information and more about character," which was ultimately why he decided to remove the scene. Personally, I was fine with a bit of ambiguity when it came to Xavier's tragic backstory, but many fans seem to be a bit disappointed that this particular plot point wasn't given more attention.
If you've seen Logan (and if you haven't, do so immediately!), what are your thoughts on this? Drop us a comment below.