Fan Casting

As mutant hatred reaches a boiling point following the Hulk's massacre of a military base, even beloved heroes like Spider-Man, the Thing, and Wonder Man are increasingly viewed as potential threats. Henry Gyrich seizes the moment, launching a campaign against Xavier's School while negotiating with the Essex Corporation to create a supposed "cure" for mutation—secretly a poison designed to destroy the mutant gene. Meanwhile, Magneto begins forming the Brotherhood of Mutants. The X-Men—Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Storm, Iceman, Gambit, Jubilee, Pyro and Colossus—find themselves caught between the Brotherhood, the Hellfire Club, and a world turning against them. Led by Sebastian Shaw, the Hellfire Club includes Emma Frost, Mystique, Rogue, Azazel, Juggernaut, Donald Pierce, Daimon Hellstrom and Sunspot. Mystique uses Rogue to weaken the X-Men while secretly searching for the son she abandoned. Azazel, revealed to be the boy's father, leads her toward the Club, whose connection to the Essex Corporation holds the key to his disappearance. As the X-Men investigate, they discover the truth about Nathaniel Essex: the seemingly insane scientist from their previous encounter was actually a calculating mastermind with influence over governments, militaries, corporations and Hellfire itself. Jean enters Shaw's mind to uncover who controls the Club, only for Emma to follow. Their psychic battle nearly destroys Shaw's mind before Charles reaches Jean through Cerebro. Jean escapes with the truth, but Hank realizes she has awakened something dark and unstable, officially classifying her as an Omega-level mutant more powerful than Charles. Mystique is betrayed by Azazel and captured by Bolivar Trask, who reveals her son is alive. Rogue abandons every faction and returns to Mississippi, where Magneto finds her and proves she can touch him without harm. Meanwhile, Scott takes Jean to a secluded Canadian cabin, to try and avoid the stress of the city.