Rogue was an underused character in Fox’s X-Men films, and X-Men ’97 reminded viewers how powerful she can be when given a chance to shine.
However, not every X-Men adaptation knows how to use Rogue. Anna Paquin portrayed the character well in Fox’s X-Men films, but the franchise never allowed her to show off her abilities. Episode 7 of X-Men ’97 showcased a few stellar moments of Rogue’s abilities and reminded viewers how powerful she can be. It’s an example the MCU should follow when it brings the X-Men into its universe.
X-Men ’97 Episode 7 Demonstrated How Powerful Rogue Is
Episode 7 of X-Men ’97, “Bright Eyes,” opens with Rogue attacking an army facility to get information from General Thunderbolt Ross. Ross mentions that the facility was built to contain the Hulk, but Rogue blasts through it with no problem. She also handles the army fairly easily, tossing tanks around like they’re nothing. Later, Rogue encounters Captain America, and while the two characters don’t fight, she throws his shield far away from him with little resistance.
Rogue has used her flight and super strength throughout the series, but taking down a facility meant for the Hulk demonstrates her true strength. The Hulk is known as one of the strongest heroes in the Marvel universe, and X-Men ’97 inferred that she’s just as strong, if not stronger. Meanwhile, Captain America doesn’t even bother to challenge her because he knows he’d lose without any assistance. She is a powerful mutant who humans should be happy is on their side, and “Bright Eyes” showed the damage she could cause if she lived up to her name.
Fox’s X-Men Movies Wasted Rogue’s Potential By Misusing Her
The Fox X-Men films didn’t know how to use Rogue. She is one of the first mutants introduced in 2000’s X-Men, with a role similar to Jubilee in the animated series. She is scared by her powers after nearly killing her boyfriend, and she follows Wolverine to find Professor X’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Her powers are treated more as a curse, as Rogue tries to leave the X-Men so she can live a more normal life. In X-Men: The Last Stand, she rids herself of her powers after the mutant cure is introduced, doing a massive disservice to her character development.
Rogue wasn’t included in the First Class timeline, except for a brief cameo in Days of Future Past. She never had an opportunity to show off her powers in the X-Men films, as the filmmakers didn’t know what to do with her. Fortunately, X-Men ’97 knows how amazing of a mutant she is and gives her some excellent action sequences that showcase how essential she is to the X-Men. Hopefully, the MCU does a better job with Rogue than the Fox universe did. However, she’s not the only mutant misused by Fox.
Rogue Isn’t The Only Character Receiving Justice In X-Men ’97
After X-Men, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine became Fox’s mutant golden goose. So, the focus was more on him and less on the surrounding mutants; some weren’t utilized correctly. James Marsden’s Cyclops is one of the most notorious examples, as he was killed off-screen by Jean Grey in The Last Stand. Cyclops never got the chance to lead the team the way he does in the comics, and that’s something Marvel can present better in the future. X-Men ’97 presents him as an excellent leader and shows that he’s not just a boring stick in the mud.
Another mutant getting better treatment is Jean Grey. Fox botched her most famous comic storyline, Dark Phoenix, twice, and Jean is presented as more competent and in control of her abilities. Gambit is another hero getting justice in X-Men ’97 after only being used briefly in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He was going to have a solo film starring Channing Tatum, but that was scrapped. Gambit had an incredible heroic moment in episode 5 of X-Men ’97 and he and Rogue are getting the portrayals they deserve.
