In news that not even the most devoted Marvel Comics fan saw coming, it was reported today by Collider that Deadpool director Tim Miller is developing an X-Men spin-off film centered around none other than Kitty Pryde. Kitty was played by Ellen Page in two movies, although whether she is being considered to reprise the role is unknown.
The character of Kitty was introduced in 1980, in the middle of the legendary run from creators Chris Claremont and John Byrne on Uncanny X-Men. The 14 year old mutant, who could phase through solid objects, was the youngest member of the team and the wish fulfillment character for millions of kids who read X-Men comics. Fans got to see Kitty grow up to become a competent and capable leader over the years. For non-comics fans, she was maybe best known for being part of the X-Men arcade game from the early ’90s, which was based on the animated pilot Pryde of the X-Men.But Katherine Pryde, despite her popularity, has never had much in the way of solo stories to base a movie on. Nevertheless, there are several stories in the X-Men canon which could serve as inspiration for Miller’s potential film. Here are our five of our very favorites.
5. “Kitty’s Fairy Tale” Uncanny X-Men #153
I’ll admit, this one is a bit of a long shot, but it’s one of my favorite Kitty Pryde stories, so I’m including it. In this lighthearted issue, Kitty tells a fairy tale to Colossus’ kid sister, Illyana, back when she was still a little girl and not the teenage superhero Magik. Kitty’s story has the various members of the team in comical situations, and Kitty of course positions herself as the fairy tale princess at the center of it all. Hey, with Disney now owning Fox, maybe this could be Kitty’s turn to be the first Marvel hero/Disney princess?
4. Mekanix (6 Part Limited Series)
Despite having been around for nearly 40 years now, Kitty Pryde has never really had a solo ongoing series. The closest she ever came was a limited series called Mekanix in the early 2000s. In this six part mini from Chris Claremont, we find Kitty attempting to settle into civilian life as a college student in Chicago–a college student who just happens to be a mutant. Unfortunately, her life comes under fire from an anti-mutant hate group that outs Kitty as a mutant, and Kitty is forced back into “superhero mode” to stop them from committing more hate crimes. This could be a very timely superhero film.
3. Excalibur (One-Shot)
Kitty was a mainstay of the X-Men from 1980-87, until she and teammate Nightcrawler were injured in battle. While they were recuperating, the rest of the X-Men “died.” Really, they faked their deaths and went to live in Australia. A mourning Kitty and Nightcrawler decided to make a new life for themselves in jolly old England, founding the team Excalibur. Excalibur got into all kinds of wacky interdimensional adventures that were more humorous than typical X-Men fare.
Even without the rest of the Excalibur team, this basic premise would make for a good Kitty-centric movie, and the concept of an American ex-pat (X-pat?) making a new life for herself abroad is a terrific basis for a film.
2. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (6 Part Mini-Series)
With Hugh Jackman retiring from the part recently, Wolverine likely isn’t going to be a part of this adaptation. However, the basic premise of this comic could be adapted without Logan’s involvement. In this story, Kitty Pryde heads to Japan to rescue her kidnapped father, but then she herself is also taken by Ogun, a telepathic mutant martial artist who brainwashes her and turns her into a ninja. Eventually, she breaks free of his control, but because of her newfound skills, she emerges as the stronger and more kick-ass Shadowcat. And if you ask me, Shadowcat would be a terrific title for a movie.
1. “Demon” Uncanny X-Men #143
One of the earliest Kitty Pryde stories is still one of the very best. Uncanny X-Men #143 was the last issue of the legendary Chris Claremont and John Byrne run on the book, and they went out with a bang. This is Kitty’s first Christmas Eve as an X-Man, and she spends the night alone at the X-Mansion while everyone else goes out to celebrate (Kitty being Jewish and all). That night a N’Garai demon, who looks a lot like the xenomorph from Alien, attacks the mansion, and the novice Kitty has to defeat it all by herself.
Not only is this story entertaining, it works well as a solo film, with the other X-Men only needing to make cameos. It shows how smart and resourceful Kitty is, even as a teen, and works as a horror film and even a superhero Christmas movie! If there were any Kitty Pryde X-Men story to adapt as a film, this one is it.
Which Kitty Pryde stories would you like to see get adapted? Be sure to let us know below in the comments.
Images: Marvel Comics
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