The best X-Men movie characters (as voted by Bam Smack Pow)

3. Magneto

Actor: Sir Ian McKellen

"“We are the future, Charles, not them! They no longer matter!”-Magneto"

There aren’t many people who were perfect in their comic book roles. Sir Ian McKellen was one of the few. He masterfully orchestrated the way he moved metal. He waved his hands and objects danced however he wanted them to. The CGI team may have done the hard work, but Ian McKellen had to do his part as well.

Using mutant powers is something bad performers have done. It’s McKellen’s speeches that set him over the top. In Marvel Comics, the Master of Magnetism uses his words better than he uses his powers. He could motivate a mutant with the lowest of power levels to fight and die for him. In fact, he did the latter in X-Men: The Last Stand.

Magneto watched as dozens, maybe hundreds of mutants charged into Alcatraz. Before the more powerful mutants could help, Erik said, “In chess, the pawns go first.” He let the “weaker” take the hit as the stronger ones waited for their opportunity.

This wasn’t just a show of motivation, it was also manipulation. That’s another big difference between Fassbender and McKellen’s characters. Years of death and losses hardened his heart. McKellen’s Magento was ready to let a few die or lose powers so future mutants could prosper.