X‑Men Franchise Working Titles and Production Codenames
In Hollywood, production codenames are a time-honored tradition used to keep upcoming films under wraps, deterring unwanted attention and potential spoilers. The long-running X-Men franchise is no exception, utilizing an array of clever, ironic, and sometimes outright bizarre working titles and sometimes confusing timeline chronology. These names often serve as inside jokes, thematic nods to the film's content, or simple misdirection.
From the absurdly self-aware to the grimly meta, these codenames provide a fascinating glimpse into the production mindset and the creative culture behind one of cinema's most iconic superhero sagas. This guide uncovers the secret identities of the X-Men films, exploring the meaning and strategy behind their covert titles.
The Complete Chronology of Codenames
The films and their secret working titles are presented in their order of release.
X-Men (2000)Working Title: The Mutant Watch
A camouflage title that ironically echoed the anti-mutant monitoring within the film—a bleak, meta twist on protest culture.
X2: X-Men United (2003)Working Titles: X2, X-Men 2, X2: Mutant Wars
Simple codenames. “Mutant Wars” hinted at bigger conflict but never stuck beyond early scripts.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)Working Titles: X-Men 3, Farewell, X3
“Farewell” was floated as a nod to the trilogy’s climax. Ultimately, The Last Stand carried that finality into its title.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)Working Titles: Wolverine Begins, X-Men Origins
Fox wanted a Batman-style hook; “Origins” became the brand for solo spin-offs focused on backstory.
X-Men: First Class (2011)Working Titles: Zeus, First Class
“Zeus” was a mythological decoy. First Class reflected Xavier’s school and hinted at hierarchy.
The Wolverine (2013)Working Titles: Echo, Wolverine 2
“Echo” spoke to Logan’s guilt reverberations but may have just been arbitrary. The Wolverine was stripped back for clarity.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)Working Titles: Hello Kitty, Days of Future Past
The lighthearted codename masked a grim script. The real title was lifted directly from the comic arc.
Deadpool (2016)Working Title: Wham!, Deadpool
A studio in-joke referencing Deadpool’s fourth-wall smarts and pop-punch tone. The name summed up the character—absurd, irreverent, loud.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)Working Titles: Teacher, X-Men: Apocalypse
“Teacher” referenced Xavier’s role and concealed the shoot. The final title leaned into world-ending stakes and biblical themes.
Logan (2017)Working Title: Juarez
A geographic-themed cover to match its southwestern grit, exile themes, and borderland despair.
Deadpool 2 (2018)Working Title: Love Machine
An absurd spoof of studio melodrama. It fit Deadpool’s blend of ultraviolence and self-aware sentiment.
Dark Phoenix (2019)Working Titles: Teen Spirit, X-Men: Supernova
“Teen Spirit” masked production in Montreal. “Supernova” evoked cosmic meltdown in Jean Grey. Final cut sidestepped the intensity.
The New Mutants (2020)Working Title: Growing Pains
A coming-of-age horror codename that mirrored its troubled development. The released film played far safer.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)Working Title: Tidal Wave
Used during production under Richmond Street Productions. Suggestive of an impending catastrophe—possibly referencing a comic arc—and a decoy to conceal the real nature of the shoot. Though marketed as “Untitled Deadpool Movie” at one point, insiders called it Tidal Wave throughout filming. The final title, Deadpool & Wolverine, emphasizes the team-up and dual focus of this MCU entry.
Gambit (Cancelled)Working Title: Chess
In development for years with this code. It reflected Gambit’s calculated, strategic persona—even when the movie never materialized.
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