Magneto's philosophy represents the darker side of what persecution does to human beings.

The Story Lies Within...
Within these two philosophies lies the impetus for The X-Men movie. As a loner, Wolverine comes to the X-Men walking the fence. The story follows his journey from rebel to warrior. However which side does he choose? From this question, the filmmakers chose their cast of mutants. Prof. X and Magneto represent the two philosophical views on humanity. But humanity may be the key factor in Wolverine's final decision. Like the comic, humans play a key role in The X-Men tale and U.S. Senator Robert Kelly (Bruce Davidson) represents them at their worst. Kelly is like former U.S. Senator Charles McCarthy. Instead of systematically accusing and hunting suspected Communists, Kelly hunts mutants, and his propaganda creates hate in the population. Thus, Wolverine has two ways to go, but like Jean Grey, Cyclops and Storm, with the help of Prof. X, he can come to believe fear leads to hate, but education leads to truth. The students of Xavier are all mutants, but they understand that though they are hated for being different, it doesn't make them any less human.

This is where Rogue enters the story. A teenage mutant that can absorb the powers and even the life of a person by a simple touch of skin to skin. She is confused by her new powers and angered by the hate that the world suffocates her with for being who she is. Wolverine identifies with her feelings and becomes her protector. In this relationship, comic book fans might see where the Rogue and Jubilee characters from the comic book are combined. However, the filmmakers decided to take the story of Jubilee as an alienated teen and combine it with the more dramatic power of Rogue, who would give anything to just be able to touch someone. (In the comic book Jubilee’s powers where big flashes of light that came from her hands.) The film story called for a tormented teen because with loners like Wolverine there is something that alienated him or her; something that made them choose their solitary life.

With the fear of killing another human being with a simple touch, Rogue racks up more angst than your average teen. © 20th Century Fox. All Rights Reserved.

Wolverine sees himself in the eyes of the bitterly confused girl, Rogue. With every moment of, 'Why me? Why am I so strange?' combined with every mean word from a stranger or questionable glare from a passer by, this confusion grows into hate. The kind of hate that justifies Magneto's belief that mutants should rule. If humanity won't accept them then they will destroy them.

The X-Men Isn't Just Explosions
Without a doubt, this superhero film will have action like all the rest. The movie's visual effects were lead by Michael Fink, who worked on Braveheart and Batman Returns. Arad boasts, "There was no way to tell this story five years ago. An excellent effect is one that is seamless, that doesn't seem like an effect. And with that, this movie delivers big time." Fox wants to make this picture a franchise with multiply sequels. The award-winning cast, which features the American debut of Australia's biggest star Hugh Jackson, has all signed three picture deals. Arad confirmed that other major The X-Men events from the comics will be the basis of future films.

When asked whether non-comic book readers will be interested in this film Stan Lee says, "People who don't read comic books still go to action movies. I'm sure all the people who went to see The Terminator aren't avid comic book fans." In addition, both Arad and Lee mentioned the quality of the director Bryan Singer and his fan following. Lee explains, "One of the challenges [of bringing The X-Men to the screen] is to make characters with such fantastic superpowers seem believable. I'm happy that a director like Bryan Singer is shepherding this project because he's an intelligent man who makes intelligent movies. And I expect he will be able to bring an intelligence and a believability to them." An interesting fact is that Singer hadn't ever read the comic book before the project was brought to him. With other upcoming superhero flicks like Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, the directors were self-proclaimed comic book fans. What would bring a drama director to a superhero special effects flick? This question circles back to what both Arad and Lee said when asked what would be the key to The X-Men's success -- the characters and the issues.