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This Day in Film: X-Men

The first installment of the franchise was released on July 14, 2000.

(Photo: 20th Century Fox)

It took many years before X-Men was adapted for the big screen. Development for the oft-delayed project began in 1989, with famed director James Cameron tapped to helm the movie. Years later, Joss Whedon’s name was attached to the project. However, it wouldn’t be until July 2000 that the movie made its way to theaters.

 

Directed by Bryan Singer, the film’s central storyline is based on two mutants who come to a private academy for other mutants. They ultimately join the superhero team assembled there to take on an opposing terrorist organization with members harboring similar powers. The movie stars included Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn and Anna Paquin.

 

Despite Halle’s star power, she played a relatively small role, as Storm, in the first installment. There was nominal controversy about Berry being cast in the role. Some comic book purists argued that the actress' aesthetics didn’t match that of Storm.

 

Regardless, the film itself opened to positive reviews and was a financial success, grossing some $296,339,527. The film paved the wave for several sequels, prequels and a reboot of the franchise featuring a new cast called X-Men: First Class earlier this year.

 

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