A pharmaceutical company has developed a "cure" that suppresses the mutant gene, provoking controversy in the mutant community. Magneto declares war on the humans and retrieves his own weapon: Phoenix, the resurrected former X-Men member Jean Grey. A final battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood ensues, and Wolverine must accept that in order to stop Grey, he will have to kill her. Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men story "Gifted", featuring a mutant cure, was suggested for the primary story. Matthew Vaughn came on board as director in February 2005[9] but left due to the rushed production schedule.[10]Brett Ratner was later hired as director in June.[11] Principal photography began in August 2005 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in January 2006.[12] The film was released on May 26, 2006.[13]
