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When Patrick Stewart was approached to play Professor Charles Xavier in Bryan Singer’s 2000 movie “X-Males,” he admitted that he knew nothing of the character. He solely knew that Professor X was a strong telepath who was ceaselessly surrounded by costumed superheroes, which sounded unbearably boring to the actor. Stewart had simply ended a decade-long stint enjoying Captain Picard on “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology” and wished to take a break from sci-fi, fantasy, zip-up costumes, and telepathy. Nonetheless, he modified his thoughts when Singer defined that, regardless of sporting related bald heads, Captain Picard and Professor X have been wholly completely different characters, and that “X-Males” was nothing like “Star Trek.” Stewart agreed. He would go on to play Professor X in a number of further movies.
The casting of Stewart within the function of Charles Xavier fulfilled many goals. For years, X-Males followers argued that Stewart ought to play Professor X, so his casting felt just like the universe was in concord. Not solely did Stewart appear to be the drawings of Professor X from the X-Males comics, however he additionally communicated the identical taciturn resolve possessed by the character. Stewart inhabiting each roles simply felt proper.
Certainly, the crossover between the X-Males and “Star Trek” had already genuinely manifested a couple of years earlier than casting for Singer’s first “X-Males” film even occurred. In 1998, writer Michael Jan Friedman penned a crossover tie-in novel referred to as “Planet X,” a e-book whereby a number of of the X-Males have been whisked into the way forward for a parallel universe, touchdown them on the bridge of the united statesS. Enterprise-E. Sure, it is actual. Sure, I’ve learn it. Sure, it is as foolish as you would possibly count on.
What was Planet X about?
Fan service was in every single place in “Planet X.” Storm and Captain Picard flirted a bit of bit, whereas Wolverine had some enjoyable interactions with Worf. Presciently, there was a scene on the holodeck whereby Dr. Crusher had a dialog with a holographic model of Professor X. (Crusher famous to herself that the Professor and Captain Picard seemed alike.) There have been additionally cameos from two Starfleet officers named Kirby and Ditko, clearly named after Jack Kirby (the wild genius behind “Eternals”) and Steve Ditko, two of the extra outstanding artists to work on Marvel Comics within the Nineteen Sixties.
The story of “Planet X” considerations occasions going down on a distant planet referred to as Xhaldia. It appears that evidently Xhaldia was present process a phenomenon much like Earth within the X-Males comics, whereby a portion of its citizenry was all of a sudden and spontaneously mutating into superpowered vigilantes. This triggered a social disaster on the planet, so Captain Picard was assigned to Xhaldia to research the mutations, quell the rising violence, and fight a brand new type of anti-mutant prejudice. Fortunately, throughout this mission, an aperture seems in space-time, and the X-Males step by means of, armed with the knowledge of what to do in a scenario like this.
Maybe predictably, a species of spacebound villains then seems — the Draa’kon — and kidnaps the superpowered mutants off of Xhaldia. The Draa’kon, aiming to indoctrinate the mutant Xhaldians into their harmful army drive, then assault the Federation.
“Planet X” solely options the so-called Gold Group of the X-Males, which means it stars Storm, Wolverine, Banshee, Shadowcat, Colossus, and Archangel. Followers of characters like Cyclops, Rogue, Beast, and Gambit shall be disenchanted. Nicely, as disenchanted as one could be, studying a supremely foolish novel from the ’90s whereby the X-Males dwell on the united statesS. Enterprise for a spell. For Trekkies, the e-book takes place after the occasions of 1996’s “Star Trek: First Contact,” however earlier than the 1998 movie “Star Trek: Riot.”
Was Patrick Stewart solid as Professor X earlier than or after Planet X?
For actual sticklers, Worf mentions that he not too long ago married Jadzia Dax — an occasion from the sixth season of “Star Trek: Deep Area 9” — in “Planet X.” Why Worf is on the Enterprise-E shouldn’t be satisfyingly defined, aside from he was hitching a experience on the Enterprise on his technique to “a planning session” (no matter which means).
“Planet X” is definitely the third crossover occasion between the X-Males and “Star Trek.” In 1996, IDW printed the single-issue “Star Trek/X-Males” comedian e-book, written by Scott Lobdell, whereby a number of of Marvel’s mutant zipped by means of a dimensional portal to fulfill Captain Kirk on the unique Starship Enterprise. The story was set in movement after some naughty Shi’ar aliens from the X-Males’s universe had used their powers to resurrect Gary Mitchell, a person who turned a semi-deity within the unique collection “Star Trek” pilot episode.
“Star Trek/X-Males” was adopted in 1998 by a sequel referred to as “Second Contact,” whereby the X-Males by accident journey ahead in time as a substitute of again to their house universe. They, in flip, land on the Enterprise-E by mistake, and Wolverine wonders if “Kirk’s folks” are round. “Planet X” technically serves as a pseudo-sequel to “Second Contact,” though one needn’t have learn these comics to grasp the e-book. I guarantee you, nothing will assist perceive the e-book. It is wankery of the very best order, and one would possibly really feel a bit of sillier for having learn it.
However, y’know, in a enjoyable method.
Trying again, it is tough to find out if Stewart had already been solid as Charles Xavier earlier than Friedman started writing “Planet X” (which was printed in 1998). The story goes that director Richard Donner, who had established the template for contemporary superhero blockbusters with 1978’s “Superman: The Film,” was working with Stewart on the 1997 movie “Conspiracy Idea” when the topic of the X-Males got here up. Donner, who ultimately served as a producer on Singer’s first “X-Males” film, apparently requested Stewart, maybe in early 1997, if he can be fascinated by enjoying Professor X. “Planet X” did not come out till 1998, nonetheless, so there is a chicken-and-egg scenario right here. How a lot did Friedman know?
