Summary
TheX-Menmovies featured many memorable quotations, many of which were uttered by the eponymous team’s founder,Professor X. Professor Charles Xavier is one of the most cherishedMarvelcharacters ever created. His consistently warm and wise presence was an especially beloved aspect of his comic book counterpart. As such, theX-Menmovies were littered with classic Xavier dialogue, some of which have endured as legitimately compelling quotations and can be seen to have an impact onthe MCU timelineand beyond.
Professor Charles Xavier was first played in theX-Menmovie timelineby Patrick Stewart, whose iconic voice was an essential aspect of his initial characterization. Stewart played the revered mutant leader in the initialX-Mentrilogy, where he frequently proffered sage advice and comfort to his young wards. Subsequently,the prequelX-Menmoviesfeatured James McAvoy as the younger iteration of Xavier, who maintained this legacy of mentorship but with a more dynamic energy - leading to numerous great lines of dialogue.
Every X-Men Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
The X-Men movie franchise has spanned many years, spinoffs, and different reactions - comprising some of the best and worst superhero films to date.
10"Mutation: It Is The Key To Our Evolution. It Has Enabled Us To Evolve From A Single-Celled Organism Into The Dominant Species On The Planet. This Process Is Slow, And Normally Taking Thousands And Thousands Of Years. But Every Few Hundred Millennia, Evolution Leaps Forward."
Xavier’s Opening Monologue In X-Men (2000)
In the opening monologue of the firstX-Menmovie, Patrick Stewart’s Professor Xavier delivereda profound reflection on the nature of mutationand evolution. He states,“Mutation: it is the key to our evolution […] This process is slow, normally taking thousands and thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward.“As he recites this, lights suggestive of biological cells dance against a black screen before colliding and instigating the opening credits.
Xavier’s wordsset the stage for the entireX-Menfranchise. This monologue introduced the scientific premise behind mutations while also framing the socio-political conflict at the heart of theX-Menseries. It suggested that evolution, and therefore mutants, were leaving the remainder of humanity behind, and teased the tensions this would cause. Xavier’s insight and wisdom here resonated throughout the film, establishing his role as a guiding figure for mutants.
X-Men
Cast
X-Men, released in 2000, introduces Wolverine and Rogue as they join Professor Xavier’s private academy for mutants. The resident superhero team, the X-Men, led by Xavier, confronts a terrorist organization of mutants with similar abilities, highlighting the ongoing conflict between humans and mutants.
9"Don’t Let It Control You”
Xavier To Jean In X-Men: The Last Stand
InX-Men: The Last Stand, Xavier’s poignant final words to Jean Grey, “Don’t let it control you,“exemplified his unwavering commitment to his students. As Jean struggled with her immense abilities and her transformation into the Dark Phoenix, Xavierremained steadfast in his belief in her inherent goodness. Talking in Jean’s childhood home as it was destroyed around them, Jean lifted Xavier from his wheelchair, prompting Xavier to offer his parting words before Jean killed him.
Xavier’s wry smile to Wolverine inThe Last Standsuggested he was aware of his likely demise. Yet, instead of fear,he used his last moments to offer guidance and reassurance to Jean. His plea for her to maintain control over her powers reflected his lifelong mission to help mutants harness their abilities for good. This selfless act underscored Xavier’s role as a wise protector, embodying his philosophy of empathy and understanding until the very end.
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: The Last Stand is the third film in the X-Men series, featuring the conflict between mutants over a newly discovered cure for mutations. The film showcases the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, opposing the Brotherhood, led by Magneto, as tensions escalate within the mutant community.
8"Don’t Kid Yourself, You Needed My Help Last Night. It’s Not Just Me You Are Walking Away From. Here You Have The Chance To Be Part Of Something Much Bigger Than Yourself. I Won’t Stop You Leaving. I Could, But I Won’t. Shaw’s Got Friends. You Could Do With Some.”
Xavier To Magneto In X-Men: First Class
After Xavier rescued Magneto from drowning inX-Men: First Class,Magneto raided the CIA officesfor information on Sebastian Shaw. As he left the building, Xavier appeared, warning Erik of danger and suggesting they band together.
With this line, Xavier offered him not just an alliance, but a sense of belonging and a higher mission. This exchange laid the foundation for their eventual collaboration and the ideological conflicts that define their relationship. Itencapsulates Xavier’s vision of a united front against common threatsand his enduring hope for Erik’s redemption. It marked a pivotal moment for the pair’s friendship and was delivered with McAvoy’s trademark charm.
X-Men: First Class
X-Men: First Class explores the origins of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, who later become Professor X and Magneto. Set during the early days of their friendship, the film depicts their collaborative efforts with other mutants to avert a significant global threat.
7"We’re Not As Alone As You Think.”
X2: X-Men United
InX2: X-Men United, a significant scene unfolded when Wolverine joined Professor Charles Xavier in Cerebro as he tracked Nightcrawler. Xavier used this opportunity to show Wolverine the vast number of mutants around the world, poignantly stating,“We’re not as alone as you think.“This moment was crucial for Wolverine, who had long felt isolated due to his mysterious past and unique abilities.
Xavier’s demonstration through Cerebro was both awe-inspiring and comforting, revealing the extensive mutant population across the globe. For Wolverine, this revelation is a powerful reminder that he is part of a larger community, offering him a sense of belonging and solidarity. By showing Wolverine the broader mutant presence,Xavier strengthened his resolve and commitment to their cause. It was a moment of connection and reassurance, highlighting the importance of community and the shared experience of mutants in their journey towards acceptance and equality.
X2 is the second installment in the X-Men film series, where Professor Charles Xavier’s team faces growing anti-mutant forces led by Col. William Stryker. In response, mutants Storm, Wolverine, and Jean Grey form an uneasy alliance with adversaries Magneto and Mystique to counter Stryker’s plans to eradicate mutants.
6"If You Allow Yourself To Feel It, Embrace It, It Will Make You More Powerful Than You Ever Imagined. It’s The Greatest Gift We Have: To Bear Their Pain Without Breaking. And It Comes From The Most Human Part Of Us: Hope. Charles, We Need You To Hope Again”
Xavier To His Younger Self In X-Men: Days of Future Past
DuringX-Men: Days of Future Past, young Xavier used Wolverine’s mind to communicate with his future self. As McAvoy lamented being a telepathburdened with knowledge of the world’s pain, Patrick Stewart’s Xavier imparted crucial wisdom, imploring him to embrace it, noting"It’s the greatest gift we have: to bear their pain without breaking. And it comes from the most human part of us: hope. Charles, we need you to hope again.”
This quotation encapsulates the essence of Xavier’s character and the broader themes of theX-Mensaga. It spoke to the power of empathy and resilience, and Xavier’s plight. The emphasis on hope as a fundamental human trait was profoundly moving.Hope drives the X-Men’s mission and vision for a better future, uniting them against adversity. Xavier’s call for his younger self to"hope again"was not simply personal advice; it was a rallying cry for renewed faith in their cause.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
X-Men: Days of Future Past features a time-traveling mission where the ultimate X-Men ensemble battles across two periods. Combining forces with their younger selves, they attempt to alter the past to ensure the future of their species. Released in 2014, the film stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender.
Xavier To Wolverine In Logan
When Logan, Xavier, and Laura spend the evening having dinner with the Munson family, they are offered a place to sleep for the night.Despite Logan’s objections, Xavier accepts. When Logan voices his objection to Xavier in private, Xavier retorts,“Two days of the road, only one meal, and hardly any sleep. She’s 11 and I’m f****** 90.”
This quote was notable primarily because it featured a rare example of Xavier using profanity. The typically reserved and dignified character venting his frustration was especially satisfying. It also helped signal thatLoganwas not the typicalX-Menmovie. It showed a distinctly more human side to the famed mutant leader as he reached his old age and depended more on those around him. Moreover, this lineoffered a much-needed moment of levityin an otherwise bleak narrative.
Logan
Logan is set in a near future where an aging Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, takes care of a frail Professor Xavier, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, at a secluded location near the Mexican border. Their secluded existence is disrupted by the arrival of a young mutant, pursued by malevolent forces.
4"And I Will Always Be There, Old Friend.”
Xavier To Magneto In X-Men (2000)
At the end ofX-Men(2000), Charles Xavier visits Magneto in his plastic prison. As they play chess, Magnetoasserts that a war with humans is inevitableand vows to fight it"by any means necessary.“In response, Xavier places his hand on Magneto’s shoulder, telling him,“And I will always be there, old friend.“This quotation neatly captures Xavier and Magneto’s complex relationship.
Despite their ideological differences and the eternal conflict that separates Xavier and Magneto, a profound respect and friendship still linger. Xavier’s response reflected his unwavering commitment to his beliefs in peace and conveyed a sense of loyalty to his old friend, no matter how divergent their paths had become. Xavier’s calm and steadfast demeanor at this momentaccentuated his enduring hope for reconciliationand his belief in the possibility of change, making it a powerful and enduring exchange in theX-Menseries.
3"There’s So Much More To You Than You Know, Not Just Pain And Anger. There’s Good Too, I’ve Felt It. And When You Can Access All That, You’ll Have A Power That No One Can Match, Not Even Me.”
During the training montage inX-Men: First Class, Xavier challenged Magneto to move an enormous satellite in the distance. After accessing a long-lost memory to aid Magneto’s efforts, Xavier remarked “There’s so much more to you than you know, not just pain and anger. There’s good too, I’ve felt it.”This quotation was powerful because it reflectedXavier’s deep understanding and belief in Erik’s potential for greatnessbeyond his traumatic past and his current motivations driven by revenge.
This line emphasizes Xavier’s role as someone who sees beyond Erik’s exterior, recognizing the intricacies and depth of his emotions and capabilities. It is also notable forforeshadowing Erik’s eventual transformation into Magneto, a character who embodies both formidable power and moral complexity.
2"Just Because Someone Stumbles And Loses Their Way Doesn’t Mean They’re Lost Forever.”
In theX-Men: Days of Future Pastscene when McAvoy’s Xavier communicated with Stewart’s Xavier, he initially expressed shock that his future counterpart would still“believe”in humanity. Stewart’s Xavier responded by saying"Just because someone stumbles and loses their way doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.“This lineperfectly captures Xavier’s unwavering belief in mutant-human harmony.
This quotation resonated throughoutDays of Future Pastandwas immediately applicable to several protagonists, including Xavier, Magneto, and Mystique. It emphasized Xavier’s role as a compassionate mentor and highlighted the film’s thematic exploration of second chances. Moreover, the quotation conveyed a message to the audience that those who falter can find their way back to strength and purpose with the right support and determination. This quotation proved so perfect that Patrick Stewart repeated it when he playedXavier in the MCU’sDoctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness.
1"I Feel A Great Swell Of Pity For The Poor Soul That Comes To My School Looking For Trouble.”
Xavier To Magneto In X-Men (2000) & X-Men: Apocalypse
When Xavier was playing chess with Magneto inX-Men(2000), Magneto asked him if he was ever scared that humans would come for him and his“children.”To which Xavier replied,“I feel a great swell of pity for the poor soul that comes to my school looking for trouble.“Stewart delivered the line with distinction andcreated a moment so iconic that it was repeated word-for-wordinX-Men: Apocalypsewhile the friends were chatting in the mansion’s subbasement.
This was perhaps the greatest Charles Xavier quotation from theX-Menmovies and summarized Xavier’s unwavering commitment to protecting and nurturing mutants under his care. Itrecalled his formidable intelligence and power, suggesting that those who underestimate him or seek to cause harm will face tough resistance. This line highlights Xavier’s wit and strength while setting the tone for his character’s enduring appeal as a wise and compassionate leader within the X-Men universe. It also foreshadowed the events ofX2: X-Men Unitedwhile uniting the twoX-Meneras.
X-Men Apocalypse
The third installment of the X-Men prequel films, and the ninth film in the overall X-Men movie franchise, X-Men: Apocalypse once again sees Professor Xavier and Magneto on opposite sides of a catastrophic conflict. Having been raised from the dead, the ancient mutant Apocalypse wishes to wipe out all of humanity, and recruits four mutants including Magneto to help him in his quest, leading Xavier and his young team of X-Men to try and stop them. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender reprise their roles as Professor Xavier and Magneto, with a larger ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Munn, and Oscar Isaac.
