16 Crazy Facts You Just Have To Accept To Enjoy The X-Men Franchise

10. The Series Really Is Just "Wolverine & Friends" (And That's OK)

One of the common complaints from comic book fanboys about the X-Men movies is that, with the exception of First Class (where Wolverine makes just a passing, if memorable, cameo), the X-Men movies are pretty much just "Wolverine and friends". While this assessment isn't really wrong, it's important to recognise why that's no bad thing. For starters, Wolverine is the coolest and most recognisable of all the X-Men, and Jackman's brilliant work in the role has only made him even more popular. Furthermore, given how huge a roster of characters are featured in these movies, appointing a protagonist is absolutely necessary, a character who provides the audience with a coherent through-point so that the movie has a clear perspective. Wolverine is easily the best-qualified character for that job, especially considering his outsider status in the original movie somewhat reflecting the audience's own bemused fascination with Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) school of mutants. As long as Jackman can play the part (and probably beyond that as well), Wolverine will likely remain the protagonist of these movies, because audiences continue to respond to him and simply, if it ain't broke, why fix it?