10 Marvel Comics movie and TV show characters with wasted potential
By Mark Lynch
Apocalypse
Film: X-Men: Apocalypse
En Sabah Nur (or Apocalypse) is one of the X-Men’s most recognizable villains. His idea of survival of the fittest has been his mantra before Darwin was even a thought. Along with his Horsemen Death, War, Pestilence, and Famine, Apocalypse has wreaked havoc against the X-Men for decades. Even longer if you include Cable’s future. He’s even turned some of the X-Men into Horsemen. Gambit, Sunfire, Polaris, Wolverine, and Angel have all been under Apocalypse’s control at some point or another.
During the iconic ’90s animated series, Apocalypse became a fan-favorite. His ability to change his shape made him famous, but what separated him from the rest of the villains were his speeches. Sure, Magneto gave them as well, but Apocalypse’s arrogance made all difference. Since he’s been around for centuries, he knew more about the world than most. His intellect on top of his superior powers justified his conceit. Unfortunately, all of these attributes were downplayed in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Fans didn’t get anything they wanted from the live-action Apocalypse. His Horsemen weren’t on the level we expected, his powers were weird, and he didn’t give any of the overly dramatic speeches that we were used to reading and seeing in other mediums.
If we were to speculate, it would be safe to say that X-Men: Apocalypse was a turning point for the Fox franchise – and not a good one.