The X-Men film series has been going strong for the better part of two decades now and as with most comic book adaptations, each film in the series has been packed with a heap of callbacks and Easter eggs, some of which aren’t always evident upon an initial viewing (or even multiple viewings). This is by no means an exhaustive list of every hidden detail found in the X-Men films, but it would also be pretty incredible if you managed to notice every single of the following Easter eggs and references.
In celebration of the 19th anniversary of X-Men‘s release, join us as we highlight 24 hidden details found throughout the X-Men movie franchise. Enjoy!
24. The Once & Future King
When we first meet Charles Xavier in X-Men: Apocalypse, he’s reading a passage from T.H. White’s The Once and Future King to his class. This is the same book that Magneto is seen reading in his prison cell in X2: X-Men United and what’s more, it’s even mentioned by Xavier during another lesson in the same movie. The title of White’s book is a reference to the alleged headstone marking the grave of King Arthur and in the comics, it’s one of Xavier’s favorite books. In fact, Xavier sees himself as a Merlin figure as opposed to Arthur, given his relationship as trainer and mentor to his students. It’s safe to assume that Magneto probably sees himself in more of the “once and future king” variety.
Source: Screenshot via 20th Century Fox