The X-Men films have featured no shortage of iconic Marvel Comics characters, from Wolverine to Storm to Magneto. However, there’s one fan favorite mutant who’s never gotten much time in the spotlight: Kurt Wagner, better known as the incredible Nightcrawler.
Fans of the X-Men movies are sure to recognize the blue-skinned, demonic-looking teleporter from his supporting role in X2: X-Men United, in which he was portrayed by Alan Cumming. However, he also received minor roles in X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee. And while Nightcrawler’s previous film appearances have done a decent job depicting his powers, design, and pious, kindly nature, there’s still a great deal of nuance to Kurt Wagner that’s been lost in adaptation. Here are a few crucial traits that Nightcrawler’s next big-screen portrayal will hopefully feature.
He’s Mystique’s Son
In each and every one of Nightcrawler’s past movie roles, he’s appeared opposite Raven Darkholme, aka the deadly shapeshifter Mystique — played by Rebecca Romijn in the original trilogy and Jennifer Lawrence in X-Men: First Class and its sequels. However, no X-Men film to date has explored the major connection between Nightcrawler and Mystique in the comics. In the original source material, Kurt Wagner is in fact Mystique’s son.
While the familial bond between Nightcrawler and Mystique wasn’t officially confirmed until 1994’s Men Unlimited #4, it had been teased since the pair’s very first encounter in the “Days of Future Past” storyline. Likewise, X2 hints at Kurt and Raven’s history with a brief scene in which they discuss her shapeshifting powers. However, the implication of a deeper connection between them was left unsaid. Should Nightcrawler and Mystique ever share the screen again, it would be good to finally see their complicated family ties explored on film.
He’s a Man of God…
The one major part of Nightcrawler’s characterization that X2 managed to capture was his religious side — after all, despite his demonic appearance, Kurt is in fact a devout Christian. The irony of a devilish-looking figure being so pious is one of the most interesting aspects of Nightcrawler’s character, and it’s one of the main reasons why he’s such a fascinating hero. It’s especially interesting to see Kurt contrasted with the many religious zealots the X-Men have fought in the comics, who consider all mutants to be evil and sinful.
Despite being condemned as a demon by many of his foes, Nightcrawler is far more Christlike in his deeds than any who would judge him by his appearance. Much like Daredevil, Kurt’s faith is a driving force behind his selfless heroism, and a source of strength whenever his resolve begins to waver. Nightcrawler’s piety is one of the defining attributes of his character, and any adaptation that doesn’t explore it simply doesn’t paint a complete picture of him.
… And a Swashbuckling Hero
But just because Kurt is a man of faith, one mustn't mistake him for some solemn, brooding monk. Despite capturing the piety of his comic counterpart, Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler is withdrawn, softspoken, and introverted. Only on occasion does he allude to a more spectacular past as a circus performer. By contrast, the Kurt Wagner of the comics is a wisecracking adventurer who’s rarely seen without a toothy grin. True to his circus background, he’s a born showman. Every battle he engages in isn’t just a fight, it’s a performance.
Since his earliest days with the X-Men, Kurt has been portrayed as a massive fan of swashbuckling action movies, particularly the works of Errol Flynn. In Classic X-Men #4, he name-drops the Adventures of Robin Hood star alongside Fred Astaire as one of his personal heroes. For a while, Kurt even uses a holographic disguise modeled after Flynn to blend in with ordinary humans. In one famous issue of Excalibur, Kurt even gets to live out his dream by becoming a space pirate. As soulful and contemplative as he can be, it’s important to remember that Nightcrawler is still a fun-loving trickster too.
He’s Everyone’s Best Friend
In a team filled with larger-than-life personalities and tragic backstories, Kurt stands out as one of the few X-Men who gets along well with all of his teammates. He isn’t just heroic, he’s also just plain nice — and quite approachable, despite his eerie appearance. He’s the first X-Man besides Jean Grey to try and reach out to Cyclops, offering him support despite his distant, taciturn nature. He even manages to befriend the famously surly Wolverine, becoming the first one on the team to learn his real name, Logan. Despite his teleporting abilities and his skill as a fighter, it’s Kurt’s ability to make friends with just about anyone that’s arguably his greatest power of all.
He’s the Soul of the X-Men
Ultimately, the most important thing about Kurt Wagner isn’t just his piety or his love of adventure — though those are certainly core aspects of his characterization. What truly defines him above all else is his incredible capacity for kindness. As much as he loves a good duel, Nightcrawler abhors violence, and would rather solve conflict through empathy and understanding. He’s a firm believer in the power of redemption, and he always strives to save his enemies, not just defeat them. And whenever he sees one of his allies going down a dark path, he doesn’t hesitate to call them out.
It’s Kurt’s ability to always see the good in people that makes him the moral compass of any X-Men team he’s on. While Cyclops and Storm may inspire their teammates, Nightcrawler is the true soul of the team. His mutant powers and expert swordsmanship may be deadly, but his greatest weapons are his hope and compassion. Because of that, he’s one of the greatest X-Men of all time — and hopefully, his next film adaptation will be able to capture that greatness.