Synopsis

In a world where mutants are feared and persecuted, Wolverine and Rogue become caught between two opposing factions. Professor Xavier's X-Men seek peaceful coexistence with humanity, while Magneto believes mutants must fight for their survival. As tensions rise around a controversial government proposal, the X-Men race to stop a plan that could permanently alter the balance between humans and mutants.

Factoids & Trivia

• Hugh Jackman was cast as Wolverine only after Dougray Scott withdrew because of scheduling problems connected to Mission: Impossible 2. The role became Jackman's major international breakthrough.

• The production originally targeted a December 2000 release, but Fox moved the film forward to July 14, 2000. The accelerated schedule left the filmmakers with an unusually demanding post-production period.

• Budget concerns led to the removal of several planned elements, including Beast, Nightcrawler, the Danger Room, and an expanded role for Pyro. Some of Beast's medical knowledge was reassigned to Jean Grey.

• Principal photography took place mainly in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario. Locations included Casa Loma, the Distillery District, Roy Thomson Hall, and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

• Digital Domain created the visual effects for the climactic Statue of Liberty sequence, including the film's large-scale mutant action and transformation effects.

• The film was a major commercial success and established the first X-Men movie series, helping demonstrate that a modern superhero ensemble could support a large theatrical franchise.

• The opening 20th Century Fox logo contains a small visual variation: the "X" remains visible briefly after the rest of the logo fades. It is also the only film in the series to predate the later Marvel Studios-style flipping comic-page logo.