Deadpool The portrayal of this sarcastic, unhinged mercenary, a hugely popular character with nearly as many monthly comics appearances as Wolverine, was botched in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but actor Ryan Reynolds has remained dedicated to pursuing the role, and a commissioned script supposedly captures his essence more faithfully. All that’s waiting is a studio green light.

Gambit Another missed opportunity from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, this Cajun mutant thief could make for a great gritty heist movie rather than a big superhero epic. Just make sure to replace charisma-deficient Taylor Kitsch in the part.

Magneto Ian McKellen was already getting a little old to carry an entire action movie when X-Men Origins: Magneto was being developed in 2004, but now that Michael Fassbender has come onboard as the younger version of the character, a solo movie about the complex, troubled villain should be viable again.

Kitty Pryde A relatively unknown Ellen Page played the young mutant, who can become intangible, in X-Men: The Last Stand, and reportedly has a larger part in next year’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. In the comic books, Kitty has had an extensive and affecting coming-of-age progression that could be material for a heartfelt and exciting superhero movie.