When the original X-Men film came out in the year 2000, no one could have known that it would spawn it's own trilogy, or that the X-Men franchise would become one of the biggest film series in cinematic history, or that superhero films would become a movie juggernaut that would dominate screens for over a decade.
However, the X-Men comic series obviously predates the release of the film by decades, so theoretically, the comics could have been adapted to the screen much earlier on. And with that concept in mind, if X-Men had been made in the 70s instead of the 00s, who would have made up the ideal cast?
Bobby Drake - Denzel Washington
Although Denzel Washington didn't start his on-screen career until the late 70s, he would have made a picture-perfect Bobby Drake in the 70s version of X-Men.
He's around the right age, he has that classic all-American man vibe, and a minor role in a blockbuster film would have been a great way to introduce this now-icon into the big screen world. Plus, his presence would give audiences a reason to rewatch X-Men for years to come.
Kitty Pryde - Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster is undeniably one of the most talented actresses of her generation, and a role in X-Men as the adorable Kitty Pryde would have really allowed her to showcase her range right at the start of her career.
Jodie hit it big with her performance as a streetwise young girl in Taxi Driver, but seeing her tackle a fluffier role with a character like Kitty would have been fantastic.
Mystique - Pam Grier
Pam Grier had a huge impact on 70s cinema with her iconic turn as the memorable blaxploitation character of Foxy Brown, but it would have been awesome to see her channel all of that ferocious energy into a role like Mystique.
Raven Darkholme is one of the most fearless and ardent fighters for mutant rights, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, so Grier likely would have embodied the role perfectly.
Storm - Cicely Tyson
Although Storm isn't quite as authoritative over the students at Professor X's school as Professor X himself is, she's one of the pillars of the mutant community that Charles Xavier has built, and she'd need to be played by an equally impressive actor.
Cicely Tyson is one of the most seasoned actresses of her generation, and she would feel natural as one of the mentors for young mutants.
Scott Summers - Robert Redford
The a perfect Cyclops.
Acting with your eyes concealed is no easy feat, but Redford has the range and ability to convey all of Scott's feelings with his eyes closed, literally.
Jean Grey - Lynda Carter
Lynda Carter rocketed to icon status with her performance as Diana Prince, better known to the world as Wonder Woman, on the hit 70s TV series.
And it's not hard to see why she made such a strong impression on audiences or why she was perfect for the role as Diana, but it would have been even more fun to see her tackle the role of Jean Grey, arguably the most badass member of the X-Men, in a film adaptation too.
Rogue - Andie MacDowell
Anna Paquin's version of Rogue requires a certain type of actor to believably play the role, as she both has to seem innocent and unfamiliar with this world of mutants, but she also has to feel older than her years due to her frightening experiences.
Andie MacDowell didn't actually hit it big in Hollywood until the 80s, but she would have been the right age for the character in the 70s, and her innocent appearance, as well as her ability to portray her own intelligence on-screen, makes her a good fit for a 70s Rogue.
Wolverine - Harrison Ford
Although at this point it feels like Hugh Jackman is completely irreplaceable as Wolverine, there is only one actor who could play Logan to perfection in the 1970s, and that is obviously Harrison Ford.
Ford made his mark on the decade with his star-making turn as Han Solo, and he further proved his rugged acting capabilities as Indiana Jones in the 80s. But clearly, he would have killed it as Wolverine.
Professor X - Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is one of the most legendary actors in cinema history, and a turn as the iconic Charles Xavier would have only bolstered his reputation.
Professor X requires an actor who can appear intelligent and empathetic with equal measure, so someone of Kirk Douglas' caliber would have been great, and it would have been even more thrilling to see him go toe to toe with someone like Magneto.
Magneto - Christopher Lee
It's hard to say who the most important casting choice in X-Men is. Wolverine is iconic, Professor X is at the center of everything, but as the villain who requires a lot of gravitas, it's safe to say that Magneto is an essential part of the franchise.
So then, who better to play him than the dark, intimidating, powerful, and insanely talented Christopher Lee?
