I think the time has changed. Because of 9/11, because of the economy, it is more and more now. There is a darker awareness, although it would seem to reason that because life is so much tougher now people would seek entertainment to just totally escape.
Lauren Shuler DonnerThe thematic core of X-Men is tolerance. It's that for those of us who are different in any way - in a big way - whether it's you're a minority, you're a woman, you're a Muslim, you are suppressed or marginalized; it can go the whole spectrum, but even if you are shy or you feel like an outsider, and X-Men are outsiders.
Lauren Shuler DonnerWhat we always want to say [in X-men] is, "It's OK to be yourself, and actually it's a gift to be yourself. Whatever it is that you have, that may be your gift." I think that's what we always want to say, and spread it out, so have tolerance for other people who are different also.
Lauren Shuler Donner