Let’s talk about the X-Men’s black leather suits. Have you ever wondered why our favorite mutants are dressed in shiny black leather? Well, let’s solve this mystery!
The Matrix Inspiration
Marvel Studios is known for their knack of adapting the cinematic climate of the time. When it came to style, they borrowed a leaf from the hugely successful film, The Matrix. Yes, that’s right! That super popular movie with Keanu Reeves is responsible for the X-Men wearing sleek black leather outfits, quite a switch from the colorful costumes typical of comic book superheroes.
A chat involving the cast of Deadpool & Wolverine had Kevin Feige, the boss of Marvel Studios, confirming this. He let the cat out of the bag, admitting that they were all super impressed with The Matrix’s smashing success and so, they chose the black leather route.
Fans’ Mixed Feelings About Black Leather
But not everyone was thrilled with this new look. When the first X-Men movie hit the screens in 2000, fans were divided. Some loved the modern, edgy look, while others called for the original comic book costumes. Marvel’s bold move to go with black leather was a calculated gamble, hoping to catch some of the magic that made The Matrix a hit.
The Matrix and Blade Debacle
But plot twist, some fans weren’t fooled! They pointed out that the black leather trend was actually started by Blade (played by Wesley Snipes), two whole years before The Matrix became popular. But Feige stuck to his guns, saying it was The Matrix that really brought that look into the mainstream. Sure, Blade may have been there first, but The Matrix’s success and influence was simply off the charts.
The Matrix: A Cultural Phenomenon
Not convinced? Let’s look at the facts. The Matrix came out in 1999 and became an instant hit, leading to sequels, video games, comics, animations, and most recently, a fourth movie, The Matrix Resurrections. It made a mind-boggling $467.2 million at the box office on a budget of just $63 million. Come on, that’s seriously impressive! And so, X-Men adopted this successful aesthetic, hoping to share in its cultural influence.
Twitter Reacts
Fans on Twitter had a lot to say about X-Men’s leather outfit controversy. @EricPellinen pointed out, “Blade did it first, even before The Matrix.” @royal_bobby24 defended the move, saying, “And it was a good idea well played.” @ThorJanisz31197 added, “Hot take: The black leather was cooler than the original costumes.”
On the other hand, @Brandon10009985 wasn’t so impressed, tweeting, “That’s a terrible reason to change their iconic clothing!!!”
Coming Up: Comic-accurate Wolverine
For all the fans missing the old-school super suit, guess what? Hugh Jackman is playing Wolverine again and this time, he’ll be rocking a suit true to the comic book version in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film. That should please those craving the classic look!
And the good news doesn’t stop there. Did you know you can enjoy all the X-Men action on Disney+? Now, if that’s not a win, what is? Isn’t it amazing how one movie, The Matrix, could have such an impact on another? The big takeaway? Never underestimate the power of a black leather suit!
So, what do you guys think? Was the black leather a smart move by Marvel Studios or a big misstep? Feel free to share your thoughts! Let’s keep the conversation rolling!
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/the-matrixs-influence-on-x-mens-iconic-black-leather-aesthetic-explored/