X-Men: First Class
A prequel exploring the origins of Charles Xavier and Magneto.
Set in 1962 against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, *X-Men: First Class* (styled on-screen as *X: First Class*) is a 2011 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics X-Men. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, who co-wrote the script with Jane Goldman, Ashley Edward Miller, and Zack Stentz, the movie features an ensemble cast including James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon. It serves as a prequel to the 2000 film *X-Men*, making it the fifth entry in the X-Men film series and the first of a prequel tetralogy. The story centers on the early relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) and the origins of their respective groups—the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants—as they confront the Hellfire Club, led by mutant supremacist Sebastian Shaw, who aims to trigger a nuclear war.
The idea for a young X-Men prequel first occurred to producer Lauren Shuler Donner during the production of *X2*. Later, producer Simon Kinberg suggested adapting the comic series *X-Men: First Class* to 20th Century Fox, though the film diverges significantly from the comic. Bryan Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films, became involved in 2009 but could only produce and co-write due to other commitments, leaving Vaughn to direct and finalize the script with Goldman. Principal photography ran from August to December 2010, with additional filming in April 2011. Locations included Oxford, the Mojave Desert, and Georgia, while soundstage work took place at Pinewood Studios and 20th Century Fox’s Los Angeles stages. The 1960s aesthetic was inspired by James Bond films of the era.
*X-Men: First Class* premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre on May 25, 2011, and was released in the United States on June 3. It earned positive reviews and grossed $353 million worldwide. A sequel, *X-Men: Days of Future Past*, followed in May 2014.
**Plot**
In 1944, at Auschwitz, Nazi officer Klaus Schmidt sees young Erik Lehnsherr bend a metal gate with his mind after being separated from his parents. Schmidt brings Erik to his office and orders him to move a Nazi-decorated coin on a desk. When Erik fails, Schmidt kills his mother. Enraged, Erik’s magnetic powers erupt, destroying the room. Meanwhile, in Westchester County, New York, young telepath Charles Xavier meets Raven, a blue-skinned shapeshifter, and invite
- release_year
- 2011
- director
- Matthew Vaughn
- writers
- Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
- lead_actors
- James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
- setting
- 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis
- box_office
- $353 million worldwide
- franchise_position
- Fifth installment in the X-Men film series, first in the prequel tetralogy
Lore & Background
The film is set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and focuses on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, and the origin of their groups—the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, respectively, as they deal with the Hellfire Club led by Sebastian Shaw, a mutant supremacist bent on starting a nuclear war. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner first thought of a prequel based on the young X-Men during the production of X2; producer Simon Kinberg later suggested to 20th Century Fox an adaptation of the comic series X-Men: First Class, although the film does not follow the comic closely.
Reader's Guide
X-Men: First Class was a critical and commercial success, receiving positive reviews from critics and grossing $353 million worldwide. The film premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre on May 25, 2011, and was released in the United States on June 3. A sequel, X-Men: Days of Future Past, was released in May 2014. The depiction of the 1960s drew inspiration from the James Bond films of the period. Principal photography began in August 2010 and concluded in December, with additional filming completed in April 2011. Locations included Oxford, the Mojave Desert and Georgia, with soundstage work done at both Pinewood Studios and the 20th Century Fox stages in Los Angeles.
Did You Know?
- The film is set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Director Matthew Vaughn was also a co-writer of the final script with Jane Goldman.
- James McAvoy was Vaughn's top choice for Charles Xavier.
- The film grossed $353 million worldwide.
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