Fox’s X-Men movies may have brought some of the most fan-favorite mutants to live-action, but they have struggled as far as fan reactions go. Often criticized for one thing or the other, particularly over poorly written characters to time inconsistencies, fans and critics have found several reasons to remain unsatisfied.
Undoubtedly, the movies’ greatest gift to fans has been casting Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. While his portrayal of the iconic character has left many captivated, he has often overshadowed other X-Men characters. And one Avengers: Endgame writer has a bone to pick with Fox movies for stealing one X-Men’s spotlight and handing it over to Wolverine.
Avengers: Endgame Writer Accused Fox Movies of Focusing Too Much on Wolverine
Wolverine has always been the center of fans’ attention and praise when Fox’s X-Men movies are concerned. Despite being one of the titular characters, either it is Hugh Jackman‘s impeccable portrayal or the writing that leads to the claw-bearing mutant often stealing the other characters’ spotlight.
And this fact cannot be held more true when Cyclops is concerned. Often the leader of the X-Men in the comics, Scott Summers is one of the most powerful mutants who fires optic blasts from his eyes. Depicted as a fierce mutant and a capable and worthy leader, the character hardly occupies a meaningful place in the live-action X-Men movies, majorly because Wolverine ends up occupying the center space, one way or the other.
Portrayed by James Marsden and Tye Sheridan, the character is often overlooked and ends up being disregarded, particularly because of the love triangle between him, Jean Grey, and Jackman’s Wolverine. And Christopher Markus, one of the Avengers: Endgame writers, opened up about the injustice Cyclops has faced in Fox’s live-action movies during an interview with Fandango.
“I’ve always wanted to see Cyclops done with some respect. Feel he’s gotten a raw deal.”
X-Men ’97 Has Been Instrumental For Cyclops
While X-Men ’97 is an animated series, it has nonetheless finally given Cyclops the recognition he deserves after years of being disregarded by Fox in live-action movies. Not a hopeless romantic or a background character anymore, Scott Summers is now a respectable leader of the X-Men, just like he is in the comics.
Now in charge of the school and the mutants, he has gone on to become an influential figure responsible for keeping humans and mutants at peace while simultaneously leading his team to fight off unexpected threats. While Wolverine exists in X-Men ’97 too, he no longer steals the thunder and lets Cyclops be the leader he was always meant to be.
Despite the iconic romantic triangle still existing in the animated series, it is no longer the sole reason for Cyclops’ existence but a sub-narrative arc for his character. A wholly developed character, with complex emotions and depth, Cyclops occupies the center yet never steals the limelight from his X-Men.
Thus, Scott Summers has finally become the complex authoritarian yet responsible peace-loving figure he was supposed to be. And fans are eagerly waiting when they can see the same in live-action too.
X-Men ’97 can be streamed on Disney+
