The X-Men franchise gave us a range of A-list actors who ended up playing some of our favorite mutants and X-Men on screen. From Sir Patrick Stewart to Sir Ian McKellen to Hugh Jackman to Halle Berry, we got some perfect renditions of some of our favorite superheroes. Their on-screen chemistry gave way to off-screen camaraderie that became apparent in their fun-filled banter with each other.
Of all the actors, three are those who have maintained a beautiful relationship on-screen as well. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen have been part of the X-Men franchise since Day 1. Whereas Stewart and McKellen have been friends for decades, the first X-Men movie was Jackman’s debut project into the world of films. And since then, all three of them have been good friends.
Hugh Jackman Found Comfort in Ian McKellen’s Words
A fresh-faced Hugh Jackman found his first film role leading the X-Men franchise as Logan/Wolverine. Although he had already worked in TV and theatre, this was his first movie project, and understandably, he was nervous. But his co-star, Sir Ian McKellen, who played Magneto in the X-Men movies, comforted him with words that he kept close to his heart for years to come.
During an episode of The Graham Norton Show, Jackman revealed some advice he got from his legendary co-star, saying:
“I was very nervous on the first film. I started three weeks in. It was my first movie. And there was a lot going on, and there was a lot of people, and I remember you pulling me aside and saying ‘This at times is going to feel uncomfortable, it’s going to feel overwhelming, but you’re in good hands and everything is going to be okay.'”
He further added,
“It was the first day, I met you, and you saying that to me, I never, ever forgot it.'”
But quickly making light of the situation, Sir Ian McKellen, in his usual humorous way, quipped,
“Darling, I was in love with you.”
This goes on to show their quick camaraderie on set that they maintained years after, even when they were no longer working together.
The X-Men Are Coming to The MCU
After years and years of trying to bring everything under one umbrella, the Fox Universe characters from Marvel Comics have finally been brought under Marvel Studios and are soon going to become part of the MCU – starting with Deadpool and Wolverine. Deadpool 3 – titled Deadpool & Wolverine – will see the return of Hugh Jackman in his superhero character that he bid goodbye to in Logan.
We already got a little glimpse of Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Deadpool 3 is rumored to bring a plethora of characters from the X-Men universe, to establish the world of mutants in the MCU. Old and new, we might get to see many characters in the upcoming Ryan Reynolds movie, which recently released a teaser trailer during Superbowl 58.
Deadpool & Wolverine is all set to grace theatres on 26 July 2024.
