There’s an interesting bit of revisionist history that has become the accepted fan narrative when it comes to the X-Men films as far as Mystique, which is “Mystique was given a bigger role because Jennifer Lawrence is a big star.” (X-Thread!)
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There is some truth to that in the grand scheme of things, but it’s also not quite correct. Because it’s ignoring that Mystique’s elevated status was all initially made a notable component of the story in X-Men: First Class, produced before Lawrence became “Jennifer Lawrence!”
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Specifically, the decision to make her (basically) Charles’ sister and to spotlight her own struggle between Charles and Erik’s ideologies -- not to mention just giving her a bunch of screen time -- that all began in that film.
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Obviously after that, Lawrence exploding with Hunger Games ensured Mystique would STAY important, but it was only because of First Class they could easily do that.
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Like think about if Mystique’s role in First Class had been no more significant than Angel's – just one of the recruits in the second half who ultimately sides with Magneto. They would have had a much more difficult/possibly awkward task elevating her to a central figure in DOFP.
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But because First Class had already made her so important, and specifically connected her to Xavier and Magneto’s struggle, it was pretty simple – and, I’d argue, narratively consistent -- to continue that in a bigger way in the sequel.
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I’m not saying they then didn’t then go out of their way to push her even more (X-Men: Apocalypse actually making her the field leader of the team probably being the most egregious example) - they clearly were fully capitalizing on her stardom as the films went on.
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I just think it’s funny when people say Mystique would have been made an important character if not for Lawrence’s stardom, when that isn’t really how it all happened. I'm sure people will now tell me it was a bad idea either way... but that's another topic. :) (End X-thread!)
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Sigh, it should say wouldn't, not would in that last tweet. (X-Thread addendum!)
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X-Thread: Addendum is the working title of the upcoming MCU reboot
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