With the new X-Men film "Logan" closing in on us, we're seeing the end of an era. An era so marketable and familiar 20th Century Fox has refused to let it die. The "Jackman" Era. And with the success of "Deadpool" perhaps Fox is beginning to see the potential for solo movies not featuring their security blanket-Wolverine. So in an effort to spark some ideas, here is The Panel Biter's Top 5 X-Men Who Deserve Solo Movies.
5. Dazzler
Alison Blaire isn't your traditional mutant. Created in 1980, Dazzler was created as a cross promotion between Marvel Comics and Casablanca Records. The idea was a disco singer with mutant abilities, specifically the ability to convert sound into light. Her light-based powers were generated by her singing and the light could be used to blind foes, create laser beams, propel her into flight, create holograms, create force fields, and damage a foe's equilibrium. Dazzler used to incorporate her powers into her performances, fooling people into thinking her powers were just an elaborate light show. What makes Dazzler different is that she is a superstar first, and a superhero second. Imagine an 80's style, drama-comedy about a young celebrity balancing her music career with the uprising mutant riots. Should she out herself, risk her career, and join her mutant people, or stick to her guns and focus on her career? It could be a really personal story with an awesome soundtrack. Hell, Dazzler almost got a movie in the 80's! Even back then people saw the film potential of this character.
4. Gambit
This was a given. Created in 1990, Remy LeBeau is no stranger to the film industry. He appeared in "X-Men Origins: Bore-verine" and after "Deadpool" Fox had been planning on making a Gambit movie starring Channing Tatum. However, after much rescheduling, director drops, and rewrites that film is currently in "limbo". But I think a Gambit movie still has a lot of potential. Gambit's power is to infuse kinetic energy into any object with varied effects. Smaller objects like playing cards, dice, or pocket change have the effect of grenades, while charging a stationary car with energy turns it into a timed explosive. Infusing energy into his Bo staff allows him to swing it with the force of a battering ram. You can get really technical with those abilities, as well as make use of Gambit's hypnotic charm (which only works if you don't know he can do it) and his master thievery skills. Making the movie a heist film for a powerful weapon some bad guy wants, or a mutant like Leech or Rogue who can directly effect other mutant's powers could be really fun. And setting a completely serious villain like Mr. Sinister as Gambit's employer/opponent could help establish the moral gray area that this character walks. Oh, and he rocks the pink top and sock cap.
3. Psylocke
Elizabeth Braddock was created in 1976 and was originally the sister/supporting character of the original Captain Britain. When her mutant powers of telepathy and telekinesis first manifested she became an agent of the United Kingdom's organization STRIKE and later a member of The X-Men. Psylocke's signature power is that she can create weapons out of psychic energy, mainly swords and knives which blend well with her preferred style of fighting. Now you may find it odd that this British woman is also a ninja. Well, to make a long story short she had swapped bodies with the mistress of The Hand Ninja Clan's leader in 1989. This swap-along with training from The Hand-gave her martial arts skills and helped her develop her psychic knife technique. From then on, you had a sassy, no-nonsense British beauty in the body of a Japanese ninja queen. Hey, we all start somewhere. Her film could be a "Kill Bill" style vengeance flick where she goes after The Hand (or some rip-off ninja clan) to get her body back from the swap, or maybe she tries to assassinate a mutant terrorist for STRIKE. Really, as long as we get a film where Psylocke gets to be A. a person, B. a badass, and C. a superhero we've never seen the likes of, I think audiences will be more invested. Certainly more invested if she wasn't Olivia Munn.
2. Storm
Since 1975, Storm has been the most influential female black character in comic book history. Representing African Americans, Native Africans, and women across the world, Storm is a symbol of power in the Marvel Universe, a goddess on Earth, and a force of nature. We all know Storm, she's almost as recognizable as Wolverine, I'd say she's the opposite side of the coin. While Wolverine represents the grime and grit of being a mutant, Storm represents the honor and worship that can come from it. Before she was an X-Man, Orono Monroe was a petty street-punk living in Cairo. She actually stole from Professor X when he traveled there. By including the African X-Men villain Shadow King (who's powers are possession and telepathy), you could get a film that shows a young Storm struggle between a life of thievery and fortune with the evil Shadow King, or something fresh and heroic with Professor X. Along the way her powers could blossom and the people of Cairo would no longer see a thief, but a goddess who could bless them with rain water. Then the struggle would be acting as Shadow King's false God/puppet or abandoning the praise and joining Professor X. It could be a story about how power and influence can turn the most innocent person into a fasle prophet, but they can still find redemption in the end. Storm has always been portrayed as a mature character, so this could be the opportunity to show people why she acts that way. Toss in a classic costume, a reference to her claustrophobia, and some spectacular weather-based effects and you have a new franchise on your hands.
1. Polaris
Now this green queen is probably one you've never seen. Well, Lorna Dane was created in 1968 and there's actually a good reason she looks like a pallet swap for The Scarlet Witch. Because Polaris the is the third (and thanks to retcons "only") child of Magneto, The X-Men's most infamous foe. Like Mags, Polaris is a master of magnetism and like her siblings she was originally a member of her father's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants before joining a team of heroes-in her case, The X-Men. It was on this team she met the love of her life, Havok (Cyclops' brother). Both her relationship with her father and her relationship with Havok have been the topic of many X-Men stories, each time Polaris looses a bit more control like Scarlet Witch or Magneto are guilty of doing. It amazes me that Fox hasn't even considered Polaris for a movie role. Next to Wolvie, Magneto is easily the most popular character in these movies ever since "First Class". And by the amount of kids Magneto has throughout these X-Men films, it's not out of the realm of possibility for a character like Polaris to exist. If Fox doesn't want to pull the trigger and turn Quicksilver from a running joke (heh) to a serious character, or compete with Marvel by establishing their own Scarlet Witch, then Polaris is the perfect candidate for these films. She can be the character who struggles with her father, she can question his methods without fear of persecution, she can be his rightful successor given how she has the exact same powers. Magneto is often surrounded by people who can do cool stuff, so giving a character with the same power possibilities as Magneto, having them be the focus, and having them be an attractive woman with actual moral conflict would be just what Fox needs. There are enough gaps between these films to tell a story about Polaris working with her father and The Brotherhood of Mutants, only to ally herself with an X-Man (Havok) and stop her father's plans. Truly a heart-wrenching finale can come from a superhero who's father is a villain, who's boyfriend is a hero, and who's personal journey has come to a crossroads. And then we can make her sexy.
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