Travel back to where it all began with X-Men: First Class (2011), the stylish and action-packed reboot that explores the origins of the X-Men and the friendship-turned-rivalry between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, this critically acclaimed prequel blends thrilling action, complex characters, and the rise of the mutant movement.
Think you know every mutant power, Cold War twist, and iconic moment? Test your knowledge with our 10-question trivia challenge and see if you belong at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Only true fans will ace this quiz!
X-Men: First Class (2011) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who directed X-Men: First Class (2011)?
Correct Answer: Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn directed X-Men: First Class, giving the franchise a fresh start with a stylish prequel focused on the early days of the X-Men. Vaughn’s direction brought a new energy and emotional depth to the series, blending action, historical events, and character-driven storytelling.
- Which actor plays young Charles Xavier?
Correct Answer: James McAvoy
James McAvoy portrays a young Charles Xavier, long before he became Professor X. McAvoy’s performance showcases Xavier’s intelligence, empathy, and idealism as he works to create a world where mutants and humans can coexist peacefully.
- Which actor portrays young Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto?
Correct Answer: Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender plays Erik Lehnsherr, who later becomes Magneto. Fassbender delivers a powerful performance, exploring Erik’s tragic past, his quest for revenge against Sebastian Shaw, and his growing ideological divide with Charles Xavier. His portrayal adds complexity and emotional weight to the character.
- What is the name of the mutant villain leading the Hellfire Club?
Correct Answer: Sebastian Shaw
Sebastian Shaw, played by Kevin Bacon, is the film’s primary antagonist. As the leader of the Hellfire Club, Shaw seeks to ignite a war between mutants and humans, believing that mutants are superior. His ability to absorb and redirect energy makes him a formidable threat.
- What is Raven Darkhölme’s mutant alias?
Correct Answer: Mystique
Raven Darkhölme, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, is better known as Mystique. She is a shape-shifting mutant and Charles Xavier’s close friend and adoptive sister. Throughout the film, Mystique struggles with her identity and appearance, ultimately siding with Erik’s belief in mutant pride.
- Which historical event is central to the plot of First Class?
Correct Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis
The plot of First Class is set during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The film cleverly integrates this real-world historical event, revealing that mutants played a secret role in the confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The climax occurs during the naval blockade, adding political tension to the superhero narrative.
- What is the name of Charles Xavier’s school?
Correct Answer: Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
Charles Xavier establishes Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters to provide a safe haven and educational environment for young mutants. This school later becomes the iconic setting for many X-Men stories, serving as a symbol of hope, inclusion, and unity.
- Which mutant has the ability to fly and scream at supersonic levels?
Correct Answer: Banshee
Banshee, played by Caleb Landry Jones, possesses the ability to emit powerful sonic screams that allow him to fly and incapacitate enemies. His mutant power is one of the more unique abilities showcased in the film, and he becomes an important member of Xavier’s first team.
- What metal can Magneto control?
Correct Answer: Metal
Magneto’s signature power is the ability to manipulate metal and magnetic fields. This ability makes him one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men universe. In First Class, his control over metal is key to several pivotal moments, including the film’s climactic battle.
- What is the main theme of X-Men: First Class?
Correct Answer: Friendship and ideological conflict
At its core, X-Men: First Class explores the friendship and eventual ideological conflict between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr. Their opposing beliefs about how mutants should coexist with humans — one advocating for peace and understanding, the other for dominance and defense — drive the emotional tension and narrative of the film. Themes of identity, acceptance, and the consequences of trauma are central to the story.
