7. Proteus
What would happen if a disturbed little boy was given the power to warp reality to his own desires? The answer is Proteus, a mutant that can transmute matter and bend the laws of physics over anything in his line of sight. These very impressive powers do however come at a cost as he burns out (i.e. kills) his physical body. Once one body is burnt out, he can possess another person, absorbing all of their memories in the process. He is the child of Moira MacTaggert and her abusive husband, the politician Joseph MacTaggert. Moira is the one time lover of Professor X and long-time ally of the X-Men. She became a geneticist and expert on mutants in order to help her son. Due to Proteus dangerous powers, Moira locked him up in her mutant research centre while she tried to find a way to help him. Proteus found a way to break free of his cell and set out intent on revenge on his father for abusing his mother. The X-Men fought and defeated Proteus but it was a sad victory in a number of ways. The Proteus saga was adapted for the 90s X-Men animated series. It was however substantially modified with a happy ending in order to fit the child friendly nature of the show. What it did illustrate very well though was the impact of Proteus on Wolverine. Proteus power to warp reality has a devastating effect on Wolverines heightened senses, disturbing him even to the point of tears. Likelihood of appearing:
The Proteus Saga stands alongside God Loves, Man Kills, The Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past as one of the great X-Men stories. All three of the other stories have been (or are being) adapted for film so it is quite possible that Proteus too will appear in a future X-Men film. The appearance of Proteus in film would be at least in part be related to the involvement of Moira. Moira appeared in a very minor role in X-Men: The Last Stand and in a more substantial role in X-Men: First Class. The version of Moira in X-Men: First Class is vastly different to the comic counterpart, being a CIA agent rather than a geneticist, but it is possible that she could change occupation after how that film ended. The Last Stand version of Moira is more like the comic counterpart and the post credit scene with her would be a good springboard to lead into a Proteus X-Men film.