Summary
X2: X-Men Unitedhad a captivating central cast who have all gone on to continued success in movies, television, theater, and even video games.X2: X-Men Unitedwas considered the pinnacle ofMarvel’s superhero cinema for a very long time, only beaten by a handful of entrants inthe MCU timelineandThe Dark Knighttrilogy. A large part of this success was the impressive all-star cast that successfully continued the mutant franchise into the smash-hit sequel. Many of these have reprized the role in subsequent projects, but all of them have maintained their impressive careers.
Released in 2003,X2: X-Men Unitedis the second installment in theX-Menmovie timelineand is celebrated for its complex narrative, deep character development, and high-stakes action sequences.X2expanded the universe, delving into the darker elements of mutant existence and the broader societal implications of their powers. With its ensemble cast delivering powerful performances, X2 was a critical and commercial success, setting a high bar for future superhero films.
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12Patrick Stewart Played Professor Charles Xavier
Stewart Just Finished Playing Another Iconic Role
Patrick Stewart reprized his role as Professor Charles Xavier inX2: X-Men United.Stewart perfectly maintained his performance as thewise and compassionate leaderof the X-Men. InX2, Stewart’s portrayal of Xavier was particularly poignant as he faced the threat of being used as a weapon against his kind by William Stryker.
Stewart’s performance was lauded for its gravitas and depth, solidifying his status asthe heart of theX-Menseries. In 2024, Patrick Stewart remains a significant figure in the entertainment world. In 2023, he returned to his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard in the third and final season ofStar Trek: Picard.Before this, Stewart’s last movie role was reprising Xavier forDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
11Hugh Jackman Played Wolverine
Hugh Jackman Reprised The Role In 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine
Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine inX2: X-Men Unitedis one of the most iconic performances in superhero cinema. InX2, Wolverine is at the center of the narrative as heconfronts his mysterious and painful past. This leads to him confronting William Stryker, the man responsible for his adamantium skeleton.
The intense action sequences, combined with emotional depth, highlighted Jackman’s range as an actor andsolidified Wolverine as the face of the franchise. Hugh Jackman remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. He reprized the role of Wolverine inDeadpool & Wolverine, marking his return to the character after several years. Jackman continues to expand his career beyond superhero films, with recent work including the dramaThe Sonand a starring role in the Broadway revival ofThe Music Man.
10Ian McKellen Played Magneto
McKellen Is Currently Recovering From An On-Stage Injury
Ian McKellen brought a captivating presence to the role of Magneto inX2: X-Men United. InX2, McKellen’s Magneto teams up with the X-Men to take down a common enemy, William Stryker. McKellen’s performance was praised for its intensity and depth, depicting Magneto asa villain with deeply human motivationsand a tragic past.
As of 2024, Ian McKellen continues to bean active and respected figure in the acting world. He returned to the stage as Falstaff inPlayer Kings, a play that combined Shakespeare’sHenry IV Part OneandPart Two.However, McKellen was injured when he fell off the stage during a performance and was unable to complete the play’s tour following medical advice. In 2023, McKellen also starred in the British period thrillerThe Critic.
9Halle Berry Played Storm
Berry Has Several Movie Credits For 2024
Halle Berry reprized her role as Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm, inX2: X-Men United. InX2, Berry’s Storm is portrayed as a strong and compassionate leader, especially in her interactions with Nightcrawler, where she helps him overcome his trauma. Though frequently sidelined,X2gave Storm a larger role, particularly in the movie’s climax.
Berry has maintained her impressive sinceX2. Notably, she appeared in 2024’sThe Unionalongside Mark Wahlberg. During production ofThe Union, Berry sparked speculation she would appear inDeadpool & Wolverineafter she posted a photo of her new haircut. Berry also starred and produced in the survival horror movieNever Let Go. Berry alsomade her directorial debut in 2020with the sports dramaBruised.
8Famke Janssen Played Jean Grey
Janssen Remains A Prolific Actor
Famke Janssen returned as Jean Grey inX2: X-Men United, delivering a performance thatcaptured the character’s internal struggleand growing powers. InX2, Jean Grey is on the verge of transforming into the Phoenix, a powerful entity within her that she struggles to control. This culminated in a heroic and tragic sacrifice that set the stage for the character’s evolution inX-Men: The Last Stand.
In 2024, Janssen is in production for the sci-fi horror movieThe Experiment. Meanwhile, in 2023,she appeared in four movies. These included Netflix’s psychological thrillerLocked In, where she played a former television star with locked-in syndrome. Janssen also appeared in the dystopian action thrillerBoy Kills World, alongside Bill Skarsgård.
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7James Marsden Played Cyclops
Marsden Appears In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
James Marsden played Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, intheX-Menmovies. InX2, Cyclops faces significant challenges, including the abduction of Professor X and thegrowing distance in his relationship with Jean Greyas she grapples with her increasing powers. Cyclops was notoriously sidelined inX2, out of action for much of the movie and wasting Marsden’s great performance.
SinceX2, Marsden hasremained a prolific performer.In 2024, he is reprising his role as Tom Wachiwski in the popular family franchiseSonic the Hedgehog 3. Marsden also appeared in Jerry Seinfeld’s all-star comedyUnfrosted. Previously in 2023, Marsden appeared in the seriesJury Duty, where he played a fictionalized version of himself.
6Anna Paquin Played Rogue
Paquin Appears In A Bit Of Light With Ray Winstone
Anna Paquin’s Rogue inX2: X-Men United, delivers a nuanced performance as a young mutant struggling with powers. InX2, Rogue’s character development focuses on her relationship with Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, and hercontinued search for a place where she belongs. Paquin’s portrayal of Rogue resonated with audiences, capturing the character’s vulnerability and longing for normalcy.
Paquin has remained a very prominent actor in movies and television. Most notably, in 2024, Paquin is producing and starring opposite Ray Winstone inA Bit of Light. In 2023, Paquin appeared in the biographical dramaTrue Spirit. Paquin is alsoa passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rightsand other social issues, using her platform to promote causes she believes in.
5Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Played Mystique
Romijn-Stamos Currently Stars In Star Trek: Stange New Worlds
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos delivered a very memorable performance as Mystique inX2: X-Men United. Mystique is one of Magneto’s most trusted allies, known for her lethal skills and shape-shifting ability. InX2,Romijn’s Mystique is both seductive and dangerous, as she assists Magneto in his quest to stop Stryker. The scene in which she infiltrates Stryker’s base single-handedly is especially memorable.
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos has played another major comic book character in the DC Animated Universe, voicing tenacious reporter Lois Lane in several animated DC movies. Currently, Romijn-Stamos has a main role as Number One inStar Trek: Stange New Worlds. Romijn-Stamos has played the role since 2022 andhas been highly praised for her performance.
4Brian Cox Played William Stryker
Cox Has 3 Movie Credits For 2024
Brian Cox played William Stryker inX2: X-Men United, the film’s primary antagonist. Stryker is a military scientist with a deep-seated hatred for mutants. His character is responsible for the experiments that gave Wolverine his adamantium skeleton, and inX2, Stryker’s plan to use Professor X’s powers to eradicate mutants drives the plot. Cox broughta sinister intensity to the roleand was a very effective villain.
In 2024, Brian Cox continues to bea highly sought-after actorin both film and television. He appeared in the coming-of-age filmLittle Wing, voiced Helm Hammerhand in the animatedThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, and took on the festive role of Santa Claus inThat Christmas. Cox’s career remains busy, with several additional film credits expected in 2025.
3Alan Cumming Played Nightcrawler
Cumming Currently Hosts The Traitors
Alan Cumming played the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler inX2: X-Men United, delivering a perfect performance. Cumming’s portrayal brought both a sense of otherworldly mystery and deep humanity to the character. TheX2opening scene, where Nightcrawler attacks the White House under mind control, isoften cited as one of the best scenesin theX-Menfranchise.
In 2024, Alan Cumming remains a dynamic presence in the entertainment world. He starred in the Canadian drama filmDrive Back Homeandishosting the U.S. version of the reality seriesThe Traitors.In theater, he has mounted a solo Broadway show titledAlan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, where he explores themes of aging and identity.
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