Aside from any catastrophic misstep, it seems that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is finally addressing the numerous shortcomings associated with Marvel’s iconic First Family in the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps. There have been countless errors to rectify. Furthermore, with the announcement that the MCU is rebooting the X-Men franchise, there lies a unique opportunity to correct past oversights and enhance this beloved series.

However, in contrast to the less-than-stellar adaptations of the Fantastic Four, the original 20th Century Fox franchise did not completely misrepresent the X-Men, although there are still some glaring mistakes that warrant attention and improvement. Nonetheless, it is crucial to extract valuable insights from the errors made during that era.

Important Reminder for the MCU: The Term ‘X-Men’ Is Plural

Had circumstances unfolded differently, Hugh Jackman might have been the one sailing the Black Pearl as Captain Jack Sparrow, but Disney’s oversight turned into a monumental gain for 20th Century Fox. Jackman first burst onto the scene portraying Wolverine in the groundbreaking X-Men film released in 2000. This significant success led to increased screen time in subsequent films, including X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. Following this, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine continued to nurture the audience’s affection for the quintessential Canadian mutant. Jackman even made notable appearances in X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: First Class, and X-Men: Apocalypse, ensuring that no X-Men film was devoid of his iconic character.

In a similar vein, each X-Men film showcased some iteration of the complex relationship between Professor X and Magneto. Whether portrayed by Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen or James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, their dynamic remained central to the franchise’s storyline. In fact, X-Men: Days of Future Past features all four actors. When reflecting on the original franchise, referring to it as “X-Men” almost seems misleading. A more fitting title might have been 2 X-Men and an X-Man. Surprisingly, there were indeed other mutants present in the X-Men films; however, many viewers might struggle to recall them. The first lesson for the MCU: “X-Men” indicates a team, so ensure all members share the spotlight.

Elevating the MCU ‘X-Men’: Prioritize Quality Across Every Aspect

Given the franchise’s past criticisms regarding prioritizing quantity over quality, it should be obvious that the MCU must prioritize excellence in the upcoming X-Men franchise. This dedication begins with how the characters are visually presented. The original franchise launched with the X-Men clad in matching black leather suits, a design that never evolved or improved. Even the iconic Wolverine failed to don a costume true to the comics until last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine, long after the 20th Century Fox era concluded. While the MCU typically excels in character costuming, it would be prudent not to regress in this area now.

The X-Men universe boasts a vast array of mutants available for inclusion; however, this does not necessitate that the MCU incorporates every single character. The 2000 X-Men film stands out as arguably the finest in the original franchise, partly due to its focus on a streamlined team, keeping the number of characters on screen manageable. Unfortunately, this lesson was lost in later films, which attempted to cram in as many mutants as possible, with many relegated to mere background roles and fleeting glimpses of their abilities. For instance, Kitty Pryde received less than a minute of screen time in the first two films. The strategy should be to maintain a small, well-cast team, and, yet again, ensure they are outfitted in striking, comic-accurate costumes.

Moreover, it’s critical to secure compelling villains. It’s not that the villains from the Fox era were poorly conceived; rather, their potential was not fully realized. Outside of Magneto—and with talents like McKellen and Fassbender portraying him, it’s hard to go wrong—other villains lacked the depth they could have had. Collider has curated a list of 10 villains that would excel in the MCU’s X-Men saga. Among them, six were underwhelming in the Fox films, three have yet to be introduced, and then there’s Magneto. At the top of this list is Mister Sinister, who could serve as a fantastic introduction into the MCU’s X-Men universe, simply for the sake of offering something new and refreshing.

There are certainly additional considerations—let’s avoid killing off Cyclops in the anticipated third film of the MCU series, and perhaps steer clear of convoluted romantic triangles—but the message remains clear. The MCU should strive to learn from the mistakes of the past with the X-Men franchise. Instead, create a fresh set of challenges that will spark discussions and debates across social media platforms.