1. Jean Grey – X2 (2003)
Fox’s X-Men movies might be somewhat underrated, but they really didn’t help matters with their insensitive handling of beloved characters. 2003’s X2 was one of the better-received efforts in the franchise, but its ending left much to be desired regarding Jean Grey and the apparent end of her narrative arc. The film primarily concerned Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and his discovery of some of his missing memories, which maybe goes some way as to describing why the death of a supporting (but crucial) character was so utterly disappointing.
After rescuing Logan from Stryker’s base, the X-Men flee a burst dam in the X-Jet. When the jet’s engines fail, Jean leaves the vehicle and uses her powers to lift it into the air, allowing the water to engulf and kill her in the process. It’s a sudden moment of touching sacrifice that simply didn’t need to happen, because Jean could have simply lifted the jet from inside and survived.
As well as being a plot hole, Jean Grey’s death was frustrating because she had yet to complete her Phoenix arc. Luckily (or unluckily, based on the quality of the sequel), X-Men: The Last Stand resolved this, but it was still an odd and upsetting ending for such an important character. Not only was it sad and frustrating, it was also thoroughly preventable, and Jean’s return in the sequel made it especially pointless.
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