The X-Men films have a rocky road in terms of quality, as you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get.
There are four though that generally stand out as the good ones – “Logan,” “X2: X-Men United,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and “X-Men: First Class” – with each film having its fans.
Matthew Vaughn’s “X-Men: First Class” revitalised the series, bringing in new fresh-faced versions of familiar characters, new energy, a great score and a period setting. One of its most well-received elements was the exploration of the early days of the relationship between Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender).
Sadly the focus on the pair’s relationship was shifted away in the sequels, which opted to explore larger threats and the bigger ensemble. In a new GQ UK profile piece, McAvoy admits it is his biggest regret in regards to an otherwise quite pleasant film experience for him:
“It was one of the most positive experiences I’ve had with a studio. I don’t really [see them as just] money gigs. ‘Days of Future Past’ I think is one of the better films that I’ve been involved in.
My biggest criticism of what we did throughout the four movies was that after the first movie, we didn’t take advantage of the relationship between [Xavier and Fassbender’s Magneto], which really formed the backbone of the first film. So it was like, why did we just eject that massive weapon?”
Asked about the possibility of him returning as Xavier, McAvoy says:
“I’m very quick to say, ‘No, I’m done.’ Or ‘I’m not that bothered about coming back.’ Because you move forward… I’ve definitely not got the call [from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige], and if I did, I would definitely not be telling you.”
Both “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” scored acclaim, with the latter garnering a massive $740 million worldwide at the box office. Unfortunately, it all went downhill after that with the next two movies, ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’ considered the worst efforts of the franchise with the latter financially bombing.
