For over forty years, the X-Men have been one of Marvel’s biggest comic book franchises. And while the success of most comics can be attributed to several creative teams, the X-Men’s journey from forgotten heroes to mainstream movie stars stems directly from one man: Chris Claremont. Starting in 1975, Claremont embarked on an unmatched 14-year run on Uncanny X-Men that revitalized the existing characters and unleashed a new generation of heroes.
Next month, the new documentary, Chris Claremont’s X-Men will explore the author’s contributions to Marvel’s mutants through extended conversations with Claremont and many of his collaborators. In the first trailer for the film, the late Len Wein recalls how Claremont volunteered for the book when no one else wanted it. And from there, history was made.
This documentary was directed, produced, and edited by Patrick Meaney, with Jordan Rennert as an additional producer and the director of photography. Ann Nocenti and Louise Simonson will also be featured in the documentary, since both women have made inumberable contributions to the X-Men legacy as writers. Additionally, artists Rob Liefled, Marc Silvestri, and others will weigh on Claremont’s tenure with the book, and their part in continuing the franchise.
Within this video, Claremont briefly touches upon his exit from the X-Men books in 1991. Claremont went on to return to the franchise on multiple occasions, but it was his initial run that continues to serve as an inspiration for adaptations in Hollywood. Even the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix movie is loosely based upon Claremont’s epic tale with artist John Byrne.
Chris Claremont’s X-Men will be available on VOD beginning on February 6.
What did you think about this trailer? Activate your mutant powers in the comment section below!
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Images: XLrator Media
