Mind-blowing Reason Why X-Men Wore the Hated Black Leather Suits in the Original Trilogy is Connected to Keanu Reeves’ $467 Million Blockbuster
- The black leather suits in the original 'X-Men' trilogy were influenced by the success of Keanu Reeves' 'The Matrix'.
- Despite teases in earlier movies, Hugh Jackman finally wears the iconic yellow suit, fulfilling years-long fan demand and Kevin Feige's condition for his return.
- The first appearance of Jackman in the yellow suit during a camera test got an emotional response from the cast and crew.
Deadpool & Wolverine is finally knocking at the door. Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine, and this time, he is sporting a look that was a dream of probably every Marvel fan. But getting to the yellow spandex has been a journey for the makers as well as fans.
In the original X-Men trilogy, black leather suits had fans divided. It turns out there was a specific reason behind that fashion choice, and it is connected to a Keanu Reeves blockbuster that became a part of pop culture.
How The Matrix Shaped X-Men Fashion?
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently addressed the X-Men‘s infamous black leather suits. According to Feige, it all comes down to The Matrix. Neo and his crew of reality-bending rebels influenced the wardrobe choices of fan-favorite mutants. According to Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com, Feige said,
There were studio execs in charge who knew that The Matrix had been a big hit and they wore black leather so, ‘Put them in black leather!’
Hugh Jackman himself confirmed this Matrix connection. In an interview on Jake’s Takes, he said,
I found out something today that the studio execs apparently had seen this little movie called Matrix and black leather works and so that’s why it was black leather.
However, it seems like fans did not agree completely with the then-Marvel executives on these Matrix-inspired outfits. Netizens expressed their concerns and complaints online, like that the early black suits lacked any individual personality, unlike the previous animated series.
There were hints of the appearance of the yellow suit earlier in X-Men movies. In one of the deleted scenes of The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman opens a suitcase that reveals the iconic suit. However, he never showed up in it. Now, at the time of Deadpool & Wolverine, Feige himself is the Marvel boss and he had one non-negotiable condition for Hugh Jackman’s return.
In a conversation with Variety, Feige revealed that his only condition was to see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in his iconic yellow suit. It is like he has been waiting 24 years to fulfill his wish and fans’ demands.
Wolverine’s Iconic Suit Made Grown Men Cry
It seems like the yellow suit has got everyone losing their minds, including the cast and crew of the movie. Deadpool & Wolverine executive producer Wendy Jacobson mentioned the first time Hugh Jackman wore the iconic yellow and blue outfit. He told HeyUGuys,
It was the camera test. It was before we started shooting. To see both of those guys, first of all, in costume together was just mind-blowing, but Hugh walking out in the yellow and blue, I mean, there were grown men, like, sobbing on set.
Even Ryan Reynolds was blown away. He told Variety about the overwhelming crew reaction like that. He also addressed the importance of the suit and that the makers didn’t consider any other choice other than that.
As for Jackman himself, it seems like he is almost regretting not wearing it sooner. “I couldn’t believe I never had before,” he told Variety.
From Matrix-inspired black leather to comic-accurate yellow, the beloved X-Man’s fashion journey has come a long way. Who knew a Keanu Reeves blockbuster would have such a lasting impact on superhero fashion.
Deadpool & Wolverine is releasing in theaters on July 26, 2024.
