Back to the swinging '60s (via 2011). A time of bell bottoms, Beatles and - mutant origins? ‘X-Men: First Class’ was our ticket back in time to explore mutant-kind's coming of age. But before we jump in the mutant time machine, let’s unveil some class-y secrets from this 2011 hit.
Matthew's Mighty Makeover: Director Matthew Vaughn wasn’t initially slated for ‘First Class.’ He’d previously walked away from directing 'X-Men: The Last Stand'. Talk about second chances! With Vaughn at the helm, the X-Men universe got a retro revamp, blending history and fantasy. And, of course, Cuban missile crises with mutant action. Only in X-Men, right?
From X3 to First Class: The initial idea wasn't to reboot the franchise. Early concepts considered making a film titled ‘X-Men: Origins – Magneto.’ But then, chunks of that idea got merged with this groovy '60s venture. So, in essence, Magneto’s origin story didn’t get scrapped; it just put on some Beatles records and went mod!
Fassbender or, err... Wolverine?: Michael Fassbender, our suave Magneto, was almost another iconic mutant. Yep, he originally auditioned for the role of Wolverine in the original X-Men. Imagine that! Would his Wolverine have had that killer cheekbone structure too?
The Not-So-James Bond: Speaking of Fassbender, his portrayal of a young Magneto drew heavily from Sean Connery's James Bond. It's almost like 007 with more metal manipulation, minus the martinis.
Hank's Transformation: Hank McCoy's transformation into Beast involved hours of makeup. But it wasn't always this way. Initial drafts had Hank’s transformation as a CGI-heavy affair. Thankfully, they opted for practical effects, which allowed Nicholas Hoult to get all blue and furry without pixel interference.
Cameo Alert: Pay close attention and you'll spot Rebecca Romijn, the original Mystique, making a brief cameo when Mystique takes on an older form. Romijn described her cameo as an "Easter egg" for the fans. How egg-citing!
JFK’s Mutant Connection: In the movie, JFK's unique manner of moving his hand is suggested as a hint of mutant powers. A quirky nod to history or a revelation that JFK was one of them? Either way, we're into this conspiracy theory!
Costume Quirks: Ever notice the team's yellow and blue uniforms? They're a direct homage to the original 1963 X-Men comic costumes. It’s always a good day when movies tip their hats to the comics. Or should we say... tip their helmets?
McAvoy’s Shaved Situation: James McAvoy assumed he'd need to shave his head to play the young Professor X. Turns out, he didn't have to until the sequels. The actor joked that he was “ready to shave” for the whole summer, making him possibly the only man eager for premature balding.
Real-Life Beast Feet: Those innovative shoes Beast invents to walk normally? Inspired by real-life sprinter Oscar Pistorius's prosthetics. X-Men, forever blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Well, class dismissed! ‘X-Men: First Class’ gave us a fresh, historical twist on our beloved mutants. Here’s hoping the sequels keep serving us X-traordinary tales.
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