Just like in the comics, the X-Men movies feature diverse casts of mutants, both good and bad, trying to make their way in a world that doesn't understand them. That said, some have been represented more prominently than others. Wolverine, of course, has essentially served as the lead in every film so far other than X-Men: First Class, while the "First Class" trilogy has also focused on Professor X, Magneto, Mystique, and Beast in their younger years. This leaves a lot of side characters who don’t get as much attention, but certain opportunities sometimes present themselves for these folks to nab more screen time.
Despite saying earlier this year that she won’t appear in Gambit, Anna Paquin recently admitted that she would be interested in reprising Rogue for a future movie. Let’s also not forget that Colossus will also play a big role next year in the Deadpool spinoff. With X-Men: Apocalypse and Wolverine 3 also on the way, the franchise is about to enter a new phase with movies like New Mutants and X-Force, but that doesn’t mean all the older characters should be tossed aside as new ones are introduced. Take a look at the supporting mutants we think should be kept around for the foreseeable future.
Kitty Pryde
After cameo appearances in X-Men and X2: X-Men United, Kitty Pryde, played by Ellen Page, was finally given a meaningful role in X-Men: The Last Stand. The actress reprised the role last year in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but unlike the original story, it was Wolverine who went to the past rather than her, though her phasing powers were needed to send his mind back in time. The fact is that Kitty has yet to really shine in the X-Men universe, but if Page is up to return, there are still opportunities for her use her in a key way. Assuming the main X-Men films eventually return to the present day, she wouldn’t be a student at Xavier’s school anymore, but in the revised timeline, she was seen teaching, so that would make her a prime candidate for a mentorship role in a story like New Mutants.
Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler’s only film appearance so far was in 2003’s X2: X-Men United, played by Alan Cumming, but he was undoubtedly one of the movie’s main highlights. Unfortunately, Cumming opted not to reprise the character for X-Men: The Last Stand, and while Bryan Singer considered bringing him back for X-Men: Days of Future Past, the teleporting mutant hasn’t been seen in years. Kodi Smit-McPhee will play a teenage Nightcrawler next year in X-Men: Apocalypse, and because the timeline has been changed, he is now a student of Xavier’s and has a longer history with the team. That means an adult Nightcrawler could easily be added to one of the future movies as a team member, though because Cumming has no interest in returning to play Kurt Wagner, obviously someone knew will have to wear the body paint and tail.
Iceman
To be fair, Iceman did get a decent amount of screen time in the original X-Men movies, and X-Men: Days of Future Past is the closest we’ve seen to him using his powers like his comic book counterpart. Still, it feels like there’s more that can be done with the character in the new movies as a senior figure. Like Kitty, Bobby Drake would presumably be an instructor at Xavier’s school, which could easily set him up to be a team leader in New Mutants. Although Shawn Ashmore has said a solo Iceman movie probably wouldn’t work (he speaks the truth), it does sound like he’s game for a return, so let’s see him brought back to be part of a team. Also, if Paquin decides to return as Rogue, then it only makes sense for her longtime boyfriend to join her as well.
Psylocke
Psylocke is making her first major film appearance next year in X-Men: Apocalypse, played by Olivia Munn. As one of Apocalypse’s Four Horsemen, Elizabeth Braddock will show off her psychic blade work in the 2016 blockbuster, but assuming she doesn’t die, we suspect she’ll join with the good guys by the end of the movie. Given how these superhero movie deals are usually drafted, it’s hard to believe that Munn is only contracted for one film, and as popular Psylocke is in the comics, it’s more likely than not we will see more of her in the future. However, should the main movies go back to the present day, it’s unclear how they will explain Munn not aging over the past 30 years. I’d go the suspended animation route, but regardless, the X-Men creative teams would be wise to include her in future stories. Given her spy background in this universe, X-Force might be a good fit.
Quicksilver
Peter Maximoff may not have been in X-Men: Days of Future Past for long, but his mischievous attitude and rapid antics were among the movie’s highlights. He’s set to be featured more prominently next year in X-Men: Apocalypse, but why stop there? DC’s The Flash has shown there’s a lot that can be done with super speed, so it would make sense for Quicksilver to participate in more adventures. Plus, thanks to Wolverine’s comment in X-Men: Days of Future Past, we already know Peter has a long future ahead with the X-Men. As with Psylocke, it’s unclear what would happen with Quicksilver should the X-Men film series move back to the present permanently. Would Peters continue to play him while being aged with makeup, or would an older actor be hired to succeed him? Whatever ends up happening, just make sure the silver speedster is kept around. After all, it’s not like any other studio has big plans for him.
Juggernaut
Juggernaut’s role in X-Men: The Last Stand was nothing more than being the muscle, and his main claim to fame was shouting, "I’m the Juggernaut, bitch!" We’ve tried for years to wipe that moment from our memories, and maybe the solution is to see a more faithful version of him brought in for one of the upcoming movies. Bryan Singer revealed that it was originally Juggernaut who was supposed to break into the Pentagon in X-Men: Days of Future Past rather than Quicksilver, so clearly there’s the wish to see him reinterpreted, whether that’s in the past or present. There’s no way to get around Cain Marko not being Charles Xavier’s half-brother in this continuity, but that’s no reason we can’t finally get a villainous Juggernaut who’s more massive and intelligent. If Gambit and Toad can look different across the time periods, so can the Juggernaut.
Blink
Of all the new mutants seen in the future during X-Men: Days of Future Past, Blink was one of the few who made an impression. She didn’t say much, but her ability to create teleporting portals was always fun to watch. Because the apocalyptic Sentinel timeline was erased, Blink is still alive in the present and active either with Xavier’s school or on her own. Either way, it would great to see her show up again in a timeline where giant robots aren’t trying to kill her. Actress Fan Bingbing said that she’s signed on for multiple X-Men movies, so it would be easy enough to bring her back. Her power would be invaluable on missions, so whether she’s working with the New Mutants or one of the operatives in X-Force, she would be an invaluable asset.
