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Summary

• X2: X-Men United had a stellar ensemble cast that led to continued success in various entertainment mediums.
• X2 set a high standard for superhero cinema with its complex narrative and deep character development.
• Key actors like Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Halle Berry maintained impressive careers post-X2.

X2: X-Men United had a captivating central cast who have all gone on to continued success in movies, television, theater, and even video games. X2: X-Men United was considered the pinnacle of Marvel’s superhero cinema for a very long time, only beaten by a handful of entrants in the MCU timeline and The Dark Knight trilogy. A large part of this success was the impressive all-star cast that successfully continued the mutant franchise into the smash-hit sequel. Many of these have reprized the role in subsequent projects, but all of them have maintained their impressive careers.
Released in 2003, X2: X-Men United is the second installment in the X-Men movie timeline and is celebrated for its complex narrative, deep character development, and high-stakes action sequences. X2 expanded the universe, delving into the darker elements of mutant existence and the broader societal implications of their powers. With its ensemble cast delivering powerful performances, X2 was a critical and commercial success, setting a high bar for future superhero films.
Related 10 X-Men Movie Scenes That Best Define The Original Trilogy The original X-Men trilogy brought superhero movies into the mainstream, with a litany of iconic and quintessential X-Men movie moments.
12 Patrick Stewart Played Professor Charles Xavier Stewart Just Finished Playing Another Iconic Role Close Patrick Stewart reprized his role as Professor Charles Xavier in X2: X-Men United. Stewart perfectly maintained his performance as the wise and compassionate leader of the X-Men. In X2, Stewart’s portrayal of Xavier was particularly poignant as he faced the threat of being used as a weapon against his kind by William Stryker.
Stewart's performance was lauded for its gravitas and depth, solidifying his status as the heart of the X-Men series. In 2024, Patrick Stewart remains a significant figure in the entertainment world. In 2023, he returned to his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard in the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard. Before this, Stewart’s last movie role was reprising Xavier for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
11 Hugh Jackman Played Wolverine Hugh Jackman Reprised The Role In 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine Close Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine in X2: X-Men United is one of the most iconic performances in superhero cinema. In X2, Wolverine is at the center of the narrative as he confronts his mysterious and painful past. This leads to him confronting William Stryker, the man responsible for his adamantium skeleton.
The intense action sequences, combined with emotional depth, highlighted Jackman’s range as an actor and solidified Wolverine as the face of the franchise. Hugh Jackman remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. He reprized the role of Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, marking his return to the character after several years. Jackman continues to expand his career beyond superhero films, with recent work including the drama The Son and a starring role in the Broadway revival of The Music Man.
10 Ian McKellen Played Magneto McKellen Is Currently Recovering From An On-Stage Injury Close Ian McKellen brought a captivating presence to the role of Magneto in X2: X-Men United. In X2, McKellen's Magneto teams up with the X-Men to take down a common enemy, William Stryker. McKellen's performance was praised for its intensity and depth, depicting Magneto as a villain with deeply human motivations and a tragic past.
As of 2024, Ian McKellen continues to be an active and respected figure in the acting world. He returned to the stage as Falstaff in Player Kings, a play that combined Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One and Part Two. However, McKellen was injured when he fell off the stage during a performance and was unable to complete the play’s tour following medical advice. In 2023, McKellen also starred in the British period thriller The Critic.
9 Halle Berry Played Storm Berry Has Several Movie Credits For 2024 Close Halle Berry reprized her role as Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm, in X2: X-Men United. In X2, Berry’s Storm is portrayed as a strong and compassionate leader, especially in her interactions with Nightcrawler, where she helps him overcome his trauma. Though frequently sidelined, X2 gave Storm a larger role, particularly in the movie’s climax.
Berry has maintained her impressive since X2. Notably, she appeared in 2024’s The Union alongside Mark Wahlberg. During production of The Union, Berry sparked speculation she would appear in Deadpool & Wolverine after she posted a photo of her new haircut. Berry also starred and produced in the survival horror movie Never Let Go. Berry also made her directorial debut in 2020 with the sports drama Bruised.
8 Famke Janssen Played Jean Grey Janssen Remains A Prolific Actor Close Famke Janssen returned as Jean Grey in X2: X-Men United, delivering a performance that captured the character’s internal struggle and growing powers. In X2, Jean Grey is on the verge of transforming into the Phoenix, a powerful entity within her that she struggles to control. This culminated in a heroic and tragic sacrifice that set the stage for the character’s evolution in X-Men: The Last Stand.
In 2024, Janssen is in production for the sci-fi horror movie The Experiment. Meanwhile, in 2023, she appeared in four movies. These included Netflix’s psychological thriller Locked In, where she played a former television star with locked-in syndrome. Janssen also appeared in the dystopian action thriller Boy Kills World, alongside Bill Skarsgård.
Related 10 X-Men Original Trilogy Scenes That Aged Poorly The original X-Men trilogy was a triumphant introduction to Marvel’s mutant heroes. However, hindsight has revealed some less favorable scenes.
1 7 James Marsden Played Cyclops Marsden Appears In Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Close James Marsden played Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, in the X-Men movies. In X2, Cyclops faces significant challenges, including the abduction of Professor X and the growing distance in his relationship with Jean Grey as she grapples with her increasing powers. Cyclops was notoriously sidelined in X2, out of action for much of the movie and wasting Marsden’s great performance.
Since X2, Marsden has remained a prolific performer. In 2024, he is reprising his role as Tom Wachiwski in the popular family franchise Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Marsden also appeared in Jerry Seinfeld’s all-star comedy Unfrosted. Previously in 2023, Marsden appeared in the series Jury Duty, where he played a fictionalized version of himself.
6 Anna Paquin Played Rogue Paquin Appears In A Bit Of Light With Ray Winstone Close Anna Paquin’s Rogue in X2: X-Men United, delivers a nuanced performance as a young mutant struggling with powers. In X2, Rogue’s character development focuses on her relationship with Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, and her continued search for a place where she belongs. Paquin’s portrayal of Rogue resonated with audiences, capturing the character’s vulnerability and longing for normalcy.
Paquin has remained a very prominent actor in movies and television. Most notably, in 2024, Paquin is producing and starring opposite Ray Winstone in A Bit of Light. In 2023, Paquin appeared in the biographical drama True Spirit. Paquin is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and other social issues, using her platform to promote causes she believes in.
5 Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Played Mystique Romijn-Stamos Currently Stars In Star Trek: Stange New Worlds Close Rebecca Romijn-Stamos delivered a very memorable performance as Mystique in X2: X-Men United. Mystique is one of Magneto’s most trusted allies, known for her lethal skills and shape-shifting ability. In X2, Romijn’s Mystique is both seductive and dangerous, as she assists Magneto in his quest to stop Stryker. The scene in which she infiltrates Stryker’s base single-handedly is especially memorable.
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos has played another major comic book character in the DC Animated Universe, voicing tenacious reporter Lois Lane in several animated DC movies. Currently, Romijn-Stamos has a main role as Number One in Star Trek: Stange New Worlds. Romijn-Stamos has played the role since 2022 and has been highly praised for her performance.
4 Brian Cox Played William Stryker Cox Has 3 Movie Credits For 2024 Close Brian Cox played William Stryker in X2: X-Men United, the film’s primary antagonist. Stryker is a military scientist with a deep-seated hatred for mutants. His character is responsible for the experiments that gave Wolverine his adamantium skeleton, and in X2, Stryker’s plan to use Professor X’s powers to eradicate mutants drives the plot. Cox brought a sinister intensity to the role and was a very effective villain.
In 2024, Brian Cox continues to be a highly sought-after actor in both film and television. He appeared in the coming-of-age film Little Wing, voiced Helm Hammerhand in the animated The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, and took on the festive role of Santa Claus in That Christmas. Cox’s career remains busy, with several additional film credits expected in 2025.
3 Alan Cumming Played Nightcrawler Cumming Currently Hosts The Traitors Close Alan Cumming played the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, delivering a perfect performance. Cumming’s portrayal brought both a sense of otherworldly mystery and deep humanity to the character. The X2 opening scene, where Nightcrawler attacks the White House under mind control, is often cited as one of the best scenes in the X-Men franchise.
In 2024, Alan Cumming remains a dynamic presence in the entertainment world. He starred in the Canadian drama film Drive Back Home and is hosting the U.S. version of the reality series The Traitors. In theater, he has mounted a solo Broadway show titled Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, where he explores themes of aging and identity.
Related The Best X-Men Movie's Hidden Message Is Even More Important In 2024 One of the hidden messages in Fox"s best X-Men movies concerned something that should make a resurgence in 2024 despite what Iger says.
1 2 Aaron Stanford Played Pyro Stanford Reprized His Role For Deadpool & Wolverine Close Aaron Stanford played Pyro in X2: X-Men United, stepping into the shoes of the rebellious young mutant who can control fire. Pyro struggles with his place among the X-Men, ultimately siding with Magneto and embracing a more destructive path. Stanford’s portrayal of Pyro was marked by a sense of youthful defiance and inner conflict, making him a memorable addition to the X-Men universe.
Aaron Stanford has maintained a steady career in both film and television. In 2023, he appeared in an episode of Star Trek: Picard and starred in the drama film Finest Kind. However, most notably, Stanford reprized his role as Pyro in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, marking a significant return to the X-Men universe.
1 Shawn Ashmore Played Iceman Ashmore Is Voicing Video Games In 2024 Close Shawn Ashmore played Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman, in X2: X-Men United. Ashmore’s portrayal of Bobby is central to the film’s exploration of the difficulties young mutants face, particularly in their relationships with their families and each other. This is particularly apparent in the “coming out” scene in which Bobby tells his family that he is a mutant.
Shawn Ashmore has numerous acting credits since playing Iceman, including the 2021 horror movie Aftermath. More recently, Ashmore has started voicing video games, including the character Alan in Wake II in 2023. In 2024, Ashmore is voicing a character in Sons of the Forest, continuing his impressive acting career 21 years after X2: X-Men United.
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*Availability in US X2: X-Men United is the follow-up film to Fox's 2000 X-Men starring Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart. The film features the introduction of Colonel William Stryker (Brian Cox) as he kidnaps Charles Xavier, which leads the X-Men to team up with Magneto. Most of the cast from the original film returned for the sequel, along with the introduction of Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler.
Director Bryan Singer Release Date May 2, 2003 Runtime 134 Minutes