X-Men | |
---|---|
File:XMenTheCerebroCollection.jpg | |
Produced by | Lauren Shuler Donner |
Starring | See below |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.025 billion (7 films) |
Box office | $3.053 billion (7 films) |
The X-Men film series consists of superhero films based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. 20th Century Fox obtained the film rights to the characters in 1994, and after numerous drafts, Bryan Singer was hired to direct X-Men (2000) and its sequel, X2 (2003). Singer left the potential third and fourth films, leaving Brett Ratner to direct X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).
After each film earned higher box-office grosses than its predecessor, several spin-off films were released. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), directed by Gavin Hood, features Wolverine's origin story. X-Men: First Class (2011), directed by Matthew Vaughn, focuses on the origins of Professor X and Magneto. The Wolverine (2013), directed by James Mangold, follows Wolverine after the events of The Last Stand. The seventh film, X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), featured the return of the original trilogy cast and Singer as director, serving as a sequel to both X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: First Class.
X-Men, X2, X-Men: First Class, and The Wolverine were met with positive reviews. In the cases of the former two, critics especially highlighted their dark, realistic tones, and subtexts dealing with discrimination and intolerance. X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine were met with mixed and negative reviews from critics, respectively, while X-Men: Days of Future Past was met with positive reviews and became the highest-grossing film in the series.
With seven films released, the X-Men film series is the 13th highest-grossing film franchise of all-time, having grossed over US$3 billion worldwide. It is set to continue in 2016 with a spin-off film, Deadpool, a sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past, entitled X-Men: Apocalypse, and a spin-off film, Gambit; and in 2017 with a third Wolverine film.
Main article: X-Men (film) |
The film introduces Wolverine and Rogue into the conflict between Professor Xavier's X-Men, and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto. Magneto intends to mutate world leaders at a United Nations summit with a machine he has built, to bring about acceptance of mutantkind, but Xavier realizes this forced mutation will only result in their deaths.
In 1994, 20th Century Fox and producer Prawan Singh bought the film rights to the X-Men.[1] Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write and James Cameron expressed interest in directing.[2] Eventually, Bryan Singer signed on to direct in July 1996. Though not a fan of the comic-books, Singer was fascinated by the analogies of prejudice and discrimination it offered.[1] John Logan, Joss Whedon, Ed Solomon, Christopher McQuarrie and David Hayter wrote the script, with Hayter receiving sole credit.[1][3] Principal photography began in September 1999 in Toronto, Canada and ended in March 2000.[4] The film was released on July 14, 2000
Main article: X2 (film) |
In the film, Colonel William Stryker brainwashes and questions the imprisoned Magneto about Professor Xavier's mutant-locating machine, Cerebro. Stryker attacks the X-Mansion, and brainwashes Xavier into locating every mutant on the planet to kill them. The X-Men must team up with the Brotherhood to prevent Stryker's worldwide genocide.
Hayter and Zak Penn were hired to write their own scripts for the sequel which Singer would pick, with an aim to release the film in December 2002.[5][6] Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris were hired to re-write the script in February 2002, writing around 26 drafts and 150 on set.[7] Principal photography began in June 2002 in Vancouver, Canada and ended in November 2002. The film was released on May 2, 2003.[5]
Main article: X-Men: The Last Stand |
In the film, a pharmaceutical company has developed a suppressor of the mutant gene, provoking controversy in the mutant community. Magneto declares war on the humans and retrieves his own weapon: Phoenix, who is the resurrected former X-Man, Jean Grey. A final battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood ensues, and Wolverine must accept that in order to stop Grey, he will have to kill her.
Singer initially intended to shoot the film back-to-back with a fourth film, though he left in 2004 to direct Superman Returns.[8][9] Penn and Simon Kinberg were hired the following month. Whedon's Astonishing X-Men story "Gifted", featuring a mutant cure was suggested for the primary story. Matthew Vaughn came on board as director in February 2005,[10] but left due to the rushed production schedule.[11] Brett Ratner was later hired as director in June.[12] Principal photography began in August 2005 in Vancouver, Canada and ended in January 2006.[13] The film was released on May 26, 2006.
Main article: X-Men Origins: Wolverine |
The film is a prequel and a spin-off focusing on the character Wolverine and his relationship with his half-brother Victor Creed, as well his time with Stryker's Team X, before and shortly after his skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal adamantium.
David Benioff was hired to write the screenplay for the spin-off film Wolverine in October 2004.[14] Hugh Jackman became producer as well as star, and worked with Benioff on the script.[15] Ratner was negotiated by the studio to take the helm of Wolverine after directing X-Men: The Last Stand, but no agreement was made.[16] In July 2007, Gavin Hood was hired as director. Principal photography began in January 2008 in Queenstown, New Zealand and ended in May.[17] The film was released on May 1, 2009.
Main article: X-Men: First Class |
The film is a prequel set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and focuses on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, and the origin of their groups — the X-Men and the Brotherhood, respectively.[18]
Producer Lauren Shuler Donner first thought of a prequel based on the young X-Men during the production of X2, and later producer Kinberg suggested to 20th Century Fox an adaptation of the comic-book series X-Men: First Class.[19][20] Singer signed on to direct the film in December 2009, however, in March 2010 it was announced that Singer would be producing instead of directing.[21] Vaughn, who was previously attached to direct X-Men: The Last Stand became the director, and wrote the final script with his writing partner Jane Goldman.[20] The film superseded a planned X-Men Origins: Magneto. Despite the script for the film not being used by any of the screenwriters as inspiration, the Writer's Guild of America arbitration still credited Magneto writer Sheldon Turner for the film's story.[22] Principal photography began in August 2010 in London, England and ended in December. The film was released on June 3, 2011.
Main article: The Wolverine (film) |
Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the film features Wolverine heading to Japan for a reunion with a soldier named Ichirō Yashida whose life he saved years before. Wolverine must defend the man's granddaughter Mariko Yashida from all manner of ninja and Yakuza assassins.[23][24]
Christopher McQuarrie, who went uncredited for his work on X-Men, was hired to write the screenplay for the second Wolverine film in August 2009.[25] Darren Aronofsky was chosen to direct the film, though bowed out, stating the project would keep him out of the country for too long.[26] James Mangold was later chosen to direct the film.[27] Mark Bomback was then hired to rewrite McQuarrie's script.[28] Principal photography began in August 2012 in Sydney, Australia and ended in November.[29] The film was released on July 26, 2013.[30]
Main article: X-Men: Days of Future Past |
Set after the events of The Wolverine, the film features the cast of the original X-Men trilogy and X-Men: First Class.[31] The story, inspired by Chris Claremont and John Byrne's X-Men comic book storyline "Days of Future Past", features Wolverine going back in time to 1973 to prevent an assassination that, if carried out, will lead to the creation of a new weapons system called the Sentinels that threatens the existence of mutants — and potentially, all of humanity.[32]
Vaughn was attached to the film as director but left the director duties in October 2012 to focus on the film Kingsman: The Secret Service.[33] Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films and produced X-Men: First Class replaced Vaughn as the director of the film.[34] The screenplay was written by Kinberg.[35] Principal photography began in April 2013 in Montreal, Canada and ended in August.[36] The film was released on May 23, 2014.[37]
In September 2012, Mark Millar was hired as a creative consultant for 20th Century Fox's Marvel Comics based films such as the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.[38] In December 2013, Simon Kinberg and his Genre Films banner signed a three-year first-look deal with 20th Century Fox, and will create a shared film universe similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[39]
Main article: Deadpool (film) |
The film features former Special Forces operative, Wade Wilson who is subjected to an experiment that leaves him with new abilities. He adopts the alter ego Deadpool to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.[40]
In May 2000, Marvel Studios attempted to produce a Deadpool film as part of a distribution deal with Artisan Entertainment.[41] However, by 2004, Marvel was developing the film with New Line Cinema. David S. Goyer was set to write and direct and courted actor Ryan Reynolds for the lead role, but lost interest within months in favor of other projects.[42][43][44] 20th Century Fox acquired Deadpool the following year after New Line placed it in turnaround, and was considering the spin-off in the development of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with Reynolds being cast for the role.[42] After the opening weekend success of X-Men Origins: Wolverine in May 2009, Fox lent Deadpool out to writers with Donner acting as a producer.[45] Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were hired to write the script in January 2010.[46] Robert Rodriguez was sent a draft of the screenplay the following June, but did not pursue it, and Adam Berg emerged as a top contender to direct.[47][48] In April 2011, visual effects specialist Tim Miller was hired to direct.[49] Principal photography began in March 2015 in Vancouver, Canada and ended in May.[50][51] The film is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2016.[52]
Main article: X-Men: Apocalypse |
In December 2013, Singer announced the upcoming X-Men film, titled X-Men: Apocalypse. Acting as a sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past, Singer is attached to direct the film from a script by Simon Kinberg, Dan Harris, and Michael Dougherty.[53] According to Singer, it will focus on the origin of the mutants.[54] Kinberg said that it will take place in 1983 and will complete a trilogy that began with X-Men: First Class.[55][56] Principal photography began in April 2015 in Montreal, Canada, for a May 27, 2016 release.[57]
In October 2014, Josh Zetumer was hired to write the screenplay for Gambit based from the treatment of comic-book writer Chris Claremont. In June 2015, Rupert Wyatt was hired to direct.[58] The film will star Channing Tatum in the lead role. Donner, Kinberg, Tatum and Reid Carolin are attached as producers.[59] It is scheduled to be released on October 7, 2016.[60]
By November 2013, 20th Century Fox had begun negotiations for the treatment for another solo film starring Wolverine with director James Mangold while Donner is attached to produce.[61] Mangold has said that it will be inspired by other Wolverine stories from the comic books and it will be made after X-Men: Apocalypse.[62][63] In March 2014, David James Kelly was hired to write the script. In April 2015, Michael Green was hired to work on the film's script.[64][65] The film will star Hugh Jackman, in his final performance as Wolverine.[66] Principal photography will commence in early 2016 for a March 3, 2017 release.[67]
In July 2013, 20th Century Fox hired Jeff Wadlow to write a film adaptation for the X-Men spin-off comic-book series X-Force. Donner is attached to produce.[68] Creative consultant for 20th Century Fox's Marvel Comics based films, Mark Millar stated that the film will feature five characters as protagonists.[69]
In May 2015, filmmaker Josh Boone was hired to direct and write a film adaptation of The New Mutants. Acting as a spin-off to the X-Men film series, Boone will co-write the screenplay with Knate Gwaltney while Donner and Kinberg are attached to produce the film.[70]
Latino Review reports that Fox are development a X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover film in 2018.[71]
Main article: List of X-Men films cast members |
List indicator(s)
- This table only shows characters that have appeared in three or more films in the series.
- A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's presence in the film has not yet been announced.
- A Y indicates a minor role as a younger version of the character
- An O indicates a minor role, sometimes uncredited, as an older version of the character
- A C indicates a cameo role
- An A indicates a minor appearance through archival footage
Character | Film | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X-Men | X2 | X-Men: The Last Stand |
X-Men Origins: Wolverine |
X-Men: First Class |
The Wolverine | X-Men: Days of Future Past |
Deadpool | X-Men: Apocalypse |
Gambit | Untitled Wolverine sequel | |
James "Logan" Howlett Wolverine |
Hugh Jackman | Hugh Jackman, Troye SivanY |
Hugh JackmanC | Hugh Jackman | Hugh Jackman | ||||||
Charles Xavier Professor X |
Patrick Stewart | Patrick StewartC | James McAvoy, Laurence BelcherY |
Patrick StewartC | Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Laurence BelcherYA |
James McAvoy | Patrick Stewart | ||||
Erik Lensherr Magneto |
Ian McKellen, Brett MorrisY |
Ian McKellen | Michael Fassbender, Bill MilnerY |
Ian McKellenC | Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender |
Michael Fassbender | |||||
Scott Summers Cyclops |
James Marsden | Tim Pocock | James MarsdenC | Tye Sheridan | |||||||
Jean Grey Phoenix |
Famke Janssen | Famke Janssen, Haley RammY |
Famke Janssen | Famke JanssenC | Sophie Turner | ||||||
Ororo Munroe Storm |
Halle Berry | Halle Berry | Alexandra Shipp | ||||||||
Bobby Drake Iceman |
Shawn Ashmore | Shawn Ashmore | |||||||||
Marie Rogue |
Anna Paquin | Anna PaquinC | |||||||||
Raven Darkhölme Mystique |
Rebecca Romijn | Jennifer Lawrence, Morgan LilyY, Rebecca RomijnO |
Jennifer Lawrence, Morgan LilyYA |
Jennifer Lawrence | |||||||
Kitty Pryde | Sumela KayC | Katie StuartC | Ellen Page | Ellen Page | |||||||
John Allerdyce Pyro |
Alexander BurtonC | Aaron Stanford | |||||||||
Jubilation Lee Jubilee |
Katrina FlorenceC | Kea WongC | Lana Condor | ||||||||
Henry "Hank" McCoy Beast |
Steve BacicC | Kelsey Grammer | Nicholas Hoult | Nicholas Hoult, Kelsey GrammerOC |
Nicholas Hoult | ||||||
Peter Rasputin Colossus |
Daniel Cudmore | Daniel Cudmore | Andre Tricoteux | ||||||||
William Stryker | Brian Cox | Danny Huston | Josh Helman, Brian CoxA |
||||||||
Moira MacTaggert | Olivia Williams | Rose Byrne | Rose Byrne | ||||||||
Alex Summers Havok |
Lucas Till | Lucas Till | Lucas Till |
Occupation | Film | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X-Men | X2 | X-Men: The Last Stand |
X-Men Origins: Wolverine |
X-Men: First Class |
The Wolverine | X-Men: Days of Future Past |
Deadpool | X-Men: Apocalypse |
Gambit | Untitled Wolverine sequel | |
Director | Bryan Singer | Brett Ratner | Gavin Hood | Matthew Vaughn | James Mangold | Bryan Singer | Tim Miller | Bryan Singer | Rupert Wyatt | James Mangold | |
Producer(s) | Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Avi Arad |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, John Palermo |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Gregory Goodman |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Hutch Parker |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Ryan Reynolds |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker |
Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin |
Lauren Shuler Donner | |
Executive producer(s) |
Avi Arad, Stan Lee, Richard Donner, Tom DeSanto |
Avi Arad, Stan Lee, Bryan Singer, Tom DeSanto |
Kevin Feige, Stan Lee, John Palermo |
Richard Donner, Stan Lee |
Stan Lee, Josh McLaglen, Tarquin Pack |
Stan Lee, Joe Caracciolo, Jr. |
Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell, Josh McLaglen |
||||
Writer(s) | Screenplay by David Hayter Story by Tom DeSanto, Bryan Singer |
Screenplay by Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, David Hayter Story by Zak Penn, David Hayter, Bryan Singer |
Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn |
David Benioff, Skip Woods |
Screenplay by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn Story by Sheldon Turner, Bryan Singer |
Mark Bomback, Scott Frank |
Screenplay by Simon Kinberg Story by Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman |
Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick |
Simon Kinberg, Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty |
Josh Zetumer | David James Kelly, Michael Green |
Composer | Michael Kamen | John Ottman | John Powell | Harry Gregson-Williams | Henry Jackman | Marco Beltrami | John Ottman | John Ottman[72] | |||
Director of photography |
Newton Thomas Sigel | Dante Spinotti | Donald M. McAlpine | John Mathieson | Ross Emery | Newton Thomas Sigel | |||||
Editor(s) | Steven Rosenblum, Kevin Stitt, John Wright |
John Ottman | Mark Goldblatt, Mark Helfrich, Julia Wong |
Nicholas De Toth, Megan Gill |
Eddie Hamilton, Lee Smith |
Michael McCusker | John Ottman | John Ottman |
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released the first seven films on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.[73] The first two films were also released on VHS.[74] The films were also released on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray box sets:
Title | Format | Release date | Films | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
X-Men Double Pack | VHS | November 10, 2003 | X-Men, X2 | [74] |
X-Men Collection | DVD | November 25, 2003 | [75] | |
X-Men Trilogy | October 3, 2006 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand | [76] | |
The Ultimate Heroes Collection | October 16, 2007 | Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, X-Men | [77] | |
Marvel Heroes | May 13, 2008 | Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand | [78] | |
X-Men Trilogy | Blu-ray | April 29, 2009 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand | [79] |
X-Men Quadrilogy | DVD, Blu-ray | October 19, 2009 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine | [80] |
X-Men: The Ultimate Collection | October 31, 2011 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class | [81] | |
X-Men and the Wolverine - Adamantium Collection | December 3, 2013 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine | [82] | |
X-Men: The Adamantium Collection | December 3, 2013 | [83] | ||
X-Men: Experience Collection | Blu-ray | May 6, 2014 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class | [84] |
X-Men: The Cerebro Collection | November 10, 2014 | X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past | [85] |
As of May 2014, the DVD and Blu-ray sales of the first six films in the United States earned more than $620 million.[86]
Film | Release date | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Ref(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | Other territories | North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America |
All time worldwide | |||
X-Men | July 14, 2000 | July 13, 2000 | |||||||
X2 | May 2, 2003 | April 30, 2003 | |||||||
X-Men: The Last Stand | May 26, 2006 | May 24, 2006 | |||||||
X-Men Origins: Wolverine | May 1, 2009 | April 29, 2009 | |||||||
X-Men: First Class | June 3, 2011 | June 1, 2011 | |||||||
The Wolverine | July 26, 2013 | July 24, 2013 | |||||||
X-Men: Days of Future Past | May 23, 2014 | May 21, 2014 | |||||||
Total | $1,299,381,721 | $1,753,665,678 | $3,053,047,399 | $1.025 billion | [94] |
The first three X-Men films set opening records in North America: X-Men had the highest July opening yet,[95] while X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand earned the fourth highest opening weekends yet.[96][97] All of these records have since been surpassed. The next three X-Men films after X-Men: The Last Stand opened lower than their predecessor and didn't set opening records.[98] In North America, X-Men: The Last Stand has the highest opening weekend and is the highest-grossing film in the series. Worldwide and outside North America, X-Men: Days of Future Past has the highest opening weekend and is the highest-grossing film in the series.[94]
The X-Men film series is the third highest-grossing film series based on Marvel Comics characters after Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Spider-Man films respectively.[99] In North America, it is the 11th highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed over $1.299 billion.[100] Worldwide, it is the 12th highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed over $3 billion.[94]
Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
---|---|---|---|
X-Men | |||
X2 | |||
X-Men: The Last Stand | |||
X-Men Origins: Wolverine | |||
X-Men: First Class | |||
The Wolverine | |||
X-Men: Days of Future Past |
Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe praised the first three X-Men films as "more than a cash-guzzling wham-bang Hollywood franchise... these three movies sport philosophy, ideas, a telethon-load of causes, and a highly elastic us-versus-them allegory." Morris praised X-Men: The Last Stand for "put[ting] the heroes of a mighty summer blockbuster in a rare mortal position. Realism at this time of year? How unorthodox!"[116] Roger Ebert gave the films good reviews, but criticized them for the amount of mutants stating "their powers are so various and ill-matched that it's hard to keep them all on the same canvas."[117]
The first two films were highly praised due to their cerebral tone, however when director Bryan Singer left, many criticized his successor Brett Ratner. Colin Colvert of the Star Tribune felt "Singer's sensitivity to [the discrimination themes] made the first two X-Men films surprisingly resonant and soulful for comic-based summer extravaganzas... Singer is adept at juggling large casts of three-dimensional characters, Ratner makes shallow, unimaginative bang-ups."[118] James Berardinelli felt, "X-Men: The Last Stand isn't as taut or satisfying as X-Men 2, but it's better constructed and better paced than the original X-Men. The differences in quality between the three are minor, however; despite the change in directors, there seems to be a single vision."[119] David Denby of The New Yorker praised "the liquid beauty and the poetic fantasy of Singer's work", but called Ratner's film "a crude synthesizer of comedy and action tropes."[120] Singer's third film in the series, X-Men: Days of Future Past was also highly praised. Alonso Duralde of The Wrap felt that "Singer keeps things moving along briskly enough that you can just go along with the ride of Superhero Stuff without getting bogged down".[121]
The X-Men films received good reviews from fans of the comic books, but there was criticism of the large cast, and the limited screentime for all of them. Richard George of IGN praised the depictions of Wolverine, Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, Storm, William Stryker, Mystique, Beast, and Nightcrawler; however, George thought many of the younger X-Men characters, such as Rogue, Iceman, Pyro, and Kitty Pryde were "adjectiveless teenager[s]", and was disappointed by Cyclops's characterization. He observed the filmmakers were "big fans of silent henchmen", due to the small roles of the various villainous mutants; such as Lady Deathstrike.[122] Spider-Man director Sam Raimi said he was a fan of the series, particularly Singer's films.[123] Film historian Kim Newman also tonally compared Batman Begins to Singer's films.[124]
Richard George of IGN stated that the success of the first X-Men film paved the way for comic-book film adaptations such as the Spider-Man series, Fantastic Four, V for Vendetta and Singer's adaptation of Superman, Superman Returns.[122] Meanwhile, Chris Hewitt of Empire Magazine called the first X-Men film as the "catalyst" for films based on Marvel Comics characters stating "Singer’s 2000 movie is the catalyst for everything that’s come since, good and bad. Without it, there’s no Marvel Studios."[125] Comic-book writer, Mark Millar said Singer's X-Men "revolutionized" superhero films.[126]
In June 2000, Marvel Comics published a comic book prequel to the first film, titled X-Men: Beginnings, featuring the back-stories of Magneto, Rogue and Wolverine.[127] A novel adaptation for the film was also released.[128] A video game, X-Men: Mutant Academy was released for PlayStation and Game Boy Color by Activision. It shares the title fonts and a number of costumes from the film. The game also contains behind-the-scenes material from the first film. In 2003, Marvel released a comic-book for X2, which contained prequels detailing Nightcrawler's backstory and Wolverine's time searching for Alkali Lake.[129] A multi-console video game titled X2: Wolverine's Revenge was also released, which served as a tie-in to X2. Patrick Stewart served as the voice actor for Professor X. In 2006, X-Men: The Official Game was released, which was set between X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand and also explained Nightcrawler's departure from the X-Men.[130] Del Rey Books also published novelizations for the first three films; the latter two were written by Chris Claremont.[131][132][133] In 2009, the video game X-Men Origins: Wolverine based on the film of the same name was released.[134]