X-Men movies may be a very despised lot now. Not many people watch X-Men movies anymore but they sure did have a lot of major comic book references even back then.
Deadpool – Marrow
The Morlocks are a group of mutants too hideous to survive in the surface world. They stick to the sewers and the underground, a place they now call home. Marrow, a former Morlock and one of the most popular members of the group, is actually seen in Deadpool. After Wade Wilson agrees to participate in the Weapon X facility’s experimentation program, he is seen walking down the halls as we spot the back of a mutant with bones protruding out of her body. That unnamed mutant is none other than Marrow of the Morlocks.
Logan – Avalanche
In the movie Logan, the mutants are all but hunted down and extinct. A mega-corporation now uses the DNA of long dead mutants to create clones with the same powers. The Wolverine’s DNA was used to create X-23. But she is not the only clone. Alkali Transigen files reveal that another formerly alive mutant was also used as the base for the clone known as Rictor. Avalanche is a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with the power to control seismic movements and create devastating Earthquakes. The movie references his real name – Dominic Petros in the Alkali Transigen files.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Guardian & Vindicator
After Logan escapes the Weapon X research facility in the movie, he is clawed, naked, and afraid as he runs into a barnhouse to seek shelter. The couple that own the farm and the shelter have a very familiar surname – Hudson. In the comics, the Hudsons were members of the Canadian superhero team – Alpha Flight. And despite having no powers, the Hudsons – Guardian and Vindicator, were very well-known. In the movie, the Hudsons, just like typical Canadians, are exceedingly hospitable, kind, and generous. Except, the older man is named Travis instead of James Hudson like in the comics.
X-Men: Apocalypse – Dazzler
There are so many deleted scenes from X-Men movies that will never see the light of day. Many such X-Men movies have references to major X-Men characters. One such instance came in X-Men: Apocalypse. This deleted scene shows just how many of the most hated and despised X-Men movies also have some hidden gems. While Jean Grey and Scott Summers are going through a collection of vinyl records in a store, Cyclops holds up a record that says “Sound of Lights and Fury”. And the picture is clearly a reference to Dazzler, a divisive 90s era mutant hero who has since surged in popularity. X-Men: Dark Phoenix brought her back but only for a single scene.
X-Men – Jubilee
The 80s were the best time to be an X-Men fan. Comic book readers were buying the X-Men issues like hot cakes. And one of the reasons why was Jubilee, a teenage mutant hero who quickly became a fan favorite. The X-Men comics tried to include multiculturalism elements early on. Some of the characters ended up becoming super popular. Jubilation Lee is a Chinese-American mutant who actually made her live action debut back in the 2000 X-Men film. But her cameo was so short it was counterproductive and extremely diminutive.
X-Men: Apocalypse – Nathaniel Essex
X-Men movies tend to drop major references at times but fail to act on them later on. One such time was during the post credits scene of X-Men: Apocalypse. At Alkali Lake, a feral mutant has left a bloody mess. A group of people belonging to a shadowy faction are clearing up the mess. And as we look closely, they work for Essex Corp, the organization owned by Nathaniel Essex. Better known as Mister Sinister, he is a genius immortal scientist obsessed with unlocking the secrets of the mutant X-gene.
