Unfortunately, many of the culturally diverse aspects of the comic have been neglected in the movies, with many foreign characters being portrayed as/by Americans, (and an American being played by a Canadian...and a Canadian being played by an Australian).
With another X-Men film coming this month, I feel it's an appropriate time to post this here.
Since the comic book series first was released, the X-Men have been a particular title generally praised by minorities. African Americans, Asian Americans, Jews, Homosexuals, and other minorities could relate to the X-Men. As a team of mutants (non-humans), the X-Men are feared and hated by most of humanity because the humans do not understand them. Despite this, the X-Men risk their lives to protect the humans that hate and fear them. This disconnect between the mutants and humans, and the lack of understanding, was an idea that resonated with the minority demographics, and the X-Men books provided them with their own personal heroes that they could relate to on a special level. The X-Men went even farther to embrace diversity with the release of Giant Size X-Men #1. In this issue, the leader of the X-Men, Professor X, had lost his team and had to create an entirely new team. To do this, he recruited members from around the globe.
Now all of this is not to say that everything was hunky-dory in the world of X-Men and Diversity. Thunderbird was very arrogant and hated the white man, never wanting to listen to any of the others on the team. Sunfire hated Westerners and spoke poorly to them, especially Nightcrawler due to his appearance. Racial slurs abounded during discussion, and Wolverine hated being bossed around just because of his nature. Only Professor X truly viewed everyone as equals, but even though disputes arose, when it came down to it all of these people from such vast backgrounds came together and worked to defeat evil.
Professor X, the leader of the X-Men, has spent his life attempting to create a world where humans and mutants could live together in peace – this has led him to be compared to a Martin Luther King-type character.
Magneto – a character not involved in the issue of focus here, Magneto is probably the most important character to the X-Men universe save for Professor X himself. As a Jew growing up in Poland during WWII, Eric Lensherr had his parents taken from him and lived much of his childhood in concentration camps. This firsthand experience with how truly evil mankind can be has led him to hate humanity, and he believes that they will attempt to do unto Mutants what they had done with African Americans, Jews, and so many other people simply because they were different. Though he was once great friends with Charles Xavier, the two have grown apart due to their contrasting beliefs about the relationship between mutants and humans. Although Magneto and Xavier are now enemies, they do both care for the mutant race more than their own lives, and in some cases have joined forces against a common enemy.
Banshee – an Irish INTERPOL agent, Sean Cassidee agreed to help Professor Xavier when he approached him in Tennessee, stating that “twill be nice to tread the straight and narrow…fer a change.”
Colossus – working on a farm in Siberia, Piotr Rasputin first discovered his ability to transform his entire body into organic living steel when a tractor went rouge and his sister was in danger. Professor X convinced him that his powers belonged to the world, so Colossus went with him. His ability and his great strength made Colossus a colossal asset to Professor Xavier’s new team. Eventually, Colossus sacrificed his life to stop the deadly Legacy virus.
Nightcrawler – raised as a circus acrobat, the blue-skinned Kurt Wagner was living in Gemany when Professor X came looking for him. Being attacked by a mob for his frightful appearance and strange powers, about to be burned at the stake, Professor X offered him a refuge, and teach him to be, as Kurt wished, “a whole Kurt Wagner.” Kurt Wagner is a notable Catholic, often thought to be ironic considering his demonic appearance.
Storm – living as an African goddess, Ororo Munroe possesses the ability to control weather. This led her to be worshipped as a deity by the people in her village. Professor X arrived and told her of her true nature as a mutant, and the responsibility she had to protect a world that was real. He said to her that the world “may fear you, hate you, but…need you nonetheless” and she left with him. She has since taken the responsibility of leading the team on some occasions.
Sunfire – a Japanese samurai, Shiro Yoshida hesitantly agreed to help Professor Xavier with his problem, but he would not remain on the team for long. Despite his short time on the team, his role was of great importance in rescuing the other X-Men.
Thunderbird – A Native American living in Arizona, John Proudstar had grown ashamed of his people, whom he felt were not the warriors they were once known to be. Professor X asked for his help, and John initially refused, but did not want to be thought a coward, so agreed to join the team. He died shortly after (X-Men #95) while preventing Count Nefaria from excaping.
Wolverine – One of the most recognized and iconic X-Men characters of all time, Wolverine was originally created as a punching bag for the hulk to fight. In Giant Size X-Men #1, however, Professor Xavier approached the Canadian Wolverine in a government facility in Quebec. Xavier offered Wolverine a chance to become a “free agent” and Wolverine much liked the idea of getting “out from under the red tape,” and so he left with Xavier, much to the discontent of Weapon X.
X-Men: Of the characters mentioned here, Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, and Magneto are all portrayed in this film, focusing on the mission of the X-Men, the hatred humanity has of mutants, and the differences between Magneto and Professor X. Colossus is briefly seen (played by an American). Toad, an English mutant, is also in the film.
X2: X-Men United: The sequel retains those mentioned above and also brings in Nightcrawler, as well as Lady Deathstrike, a Japanese mutant with a backstory similar to Wolverine’s. This film is an example of how Magneto and Professor X must sometimes work together, and gives a brief look into the history of Wolverine. Banshee’s daughter, Siryn, makes a brief appearance. A Native American character Danielle Moonstar makes a brief appearance, and Caucasian character Jubilee is portrayed briefly by an Asian actress.
X-Men: The Last Stand: Nightcrawler is no longer with the cast, but Colossus gains a full slot, and the Angel and Beast are both given portrayals, making this film the first to include all five of the original X-Men. It also brings in Juggernaut, Professor X’s half-brother, and focuses on Magneto’s view of Mutant Superiority rather than Xavier’s view of peaceful coexistence, with Jean Grey becoming “The Phoenix.” Moira MacTaggert, a Scottish human ally of the X-Men, is also introduced.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Focusing on Wolverine, this film introduces the Native American Silverfox, the Cajun Gambit, the African American John Wraith, and Agent Zero, a German in the comics but portrayed by a Korean in the film. This cast maintains the diverse nature of the comic.
X-Men: First Class: The prequel to the original trilogy with focus on the early days of Professor X and the X-Men. Both Xavier and Magneto appear, along with the Scottish Moira MacTaggert (played by an American), Irish Sean Cassidy/Banshee (discussed above, also played by an american), Darwin, a half-African/half-Latino, and Azazel, a demon from Biblical times.
A tad bit of X-Men trivia:
-Most people think the “X” in “X-Men” comes from Professor Charles Xavier’s name, specifically the short version of “Prof. X.” In fact, however, according to X-Men #1, the name comes from the fact that the members all have an “X-tra” ability.
-Jean Grey was not left out of getting a codename like everyone else. In the early days of the comic, she was known as “Marvel Girl.” This name, however, didn’t go over very well and so she was referred to as simply “Jean Grey” until the days of “the Phoenix.”
-The original five X-Men (not including Professor Xavier) were: 1) Scott Summers/Cyclops, 2) Bobby Drake/Iceman, 3) Hank McCoy/Beast 4) Warren Worthington III/Angel, and 5) Jean Grey/Marvel Girl. Later, Alex Summers/Havok (Scott Summers’ brother) and his love Lorna Dane/Polaris joined the team. It was when all of these members got captured by Kroatoa and only Cyclops escaped that the new team in Giant Size X-Men #1 was formed.
-The X-Men have some fun trivia with the Avengers, as both friend and foe. Some notable instances include 1) The Angel getting brainwashed into fighting Iron Man, 2) Beast leaving the X-Men to go work with the Avengers, and later the Defenders, 3) Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, twins and offspring of the X-Men villain Magneto had fought the X-Men several times before changing sides and joining the Avengers.
-Unlike most characters in the X-Men universe, Hank McCoy actually had multiple mutations. After the first, he still maintained a human appearance, but his speed, strength, and agility were greatly enhanced. This led him to become a football star with the nickname “Beast.” Later, he was experimenting (genius intellect was another of his abilities) and attempted to reverse the process, only to mutate further into the more recognizable blue-furred creature with pointed ears.
-Most people think the “X” in “X-Men” comes from Professor Charles Xavier’s name, specifically the short version of “Prof. X.” In fact, however, according to X-Men #1, the name comes from the fact that the members all have an “X-tra” ability.
-Jean Grey was not left out of getting a codename like everyone else. In the early days of the comic, she was known as “Marvel Girl.” This name, however, didn’t go over very well and so she was referred to as simply “Jean Grey” until the days of “the Phoenix.”
-The original five X-Men (not including Professor Xavier) were: 1) Scott Summers/Cyclops, 2) Bobby Drake/Iceman, 3) Hank McCoy/Beast 4) Warren Worthington III/Angel, and 5) Jean Grey/Marvel Girl. Later, Alex Summers/Havok (Scott Summers’ brother) and his love Lorna Dane/Polaris joined the team. It was when all of these members got captured by Kroatoa and only Cyclops escaped that the new team in Giant Size X-Men #1 was formed.
-The X-Men have some fun trivia with the Avengers, as both friend and foe. Some notable instances include 1) The Angel getting brainwashed into fighting Iron Man, 2) Beast leaving the X-Men to go work with the Avengers, and later the Defenders, 3) Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, twins and offspring of the X-Men villain Magneto had fought the X-Men several times before changing sides and joining the Avengers.
-Unlike most characters in the X-Men universe, Hank McCoy actually had multiple mutations. After the first, he still maintained a human appearance, but his speed, strength, and agility were greatly enhanced. This led him to become a football star with the nickname “Beast.” Later, he was experimenting (genius intellect was another of his abilities) and attempted to reverse the process, only to mutate further into the more recognizable blue-furred creature with pointed ears.
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