When Does the Film "X-Men" (2000) Take Place?
"X-Men" is a political superhero film written by David Hayter with Ed Solomon, Christopher McQuarrie, Tom DeSanto, and Bryan Singer [loosely adapting "X-Men" #1 (1963) by Stan Lee] that released July 14th, 2000. So when is "X-Men" set?
It takes place on an alternate timeline of the fictional Marvel Cinematic Universe in the year:
We know this because early on Professor Charles Xavier says, "Logan. It's been almost 15 years, hasn't it? Living from day to day. Moving from place to place. With no memory of who or what you are." to Logan/Wolverine and he's had amnesia since events in the climax of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009), which takes place in March of 1979 AD.
1993 AD or 1994 AD
We know this because early on Professor Charles Xavier says, "Logan. It's been almost 15 years, hasn't it? Living from day to day. Moving from place to place. With no memory of who or what you are." to Logan/Wolverine and he's had amnesia since events in the climax of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009), which takes place in March of 1979 AD.
3.1,979 + 14 = 3.1,993
to
3.1,979 + 15 = 3.1,994.
Also, in the next film, "X2" (2003), William Stryker says, "How long has it been? 15 years?" to Logan/Wolverine and the line is also clearly referring to the time since events that gave Logan amnesia. If "15 years" has passed from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" to this story and "almost 15 years" has passed from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" to "X2", which probably takes place in March of 1994 AD, then this narrative’s main action must take place only a few weeks or a few months before March of 1994 AD. So it is either late 1993 AD or early 1994 AD.
(HOWEVER, in "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016), which takes place in mid to late 1983 AD in an altered timeline, Logan is seen disoriented, escaping a secret base, and running into the woods, implying this is the beginning of his amnesiac wanderings. It’s unlikely this has any real bearing on this tale but, if it does, that would make it currently 1998 AD.
1,983 + 15 = 1,998.)
Yes, the main action begins with a time and place setting title card reading "MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI The not too distant future" and the film released in July of 2000 AD implying the mid-2000s AD or later but this is contradicted by the dialogue and references as explained above.
Additionally, the movie begins with a short prologue depicting an experience of Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto’s during ;World War II. World War II lasted from the 1930s to May 8th, 1945 AD, the day known as V-E Day. So it must be during or before May of 1945 AD. Furthermore, there is a specific time and place setting title card telling us it is "POLAND 1944" so presumably it is 1944 AD at this point.
Finally, when Logan interacts with Jean Grey there are a few very quick flashbacks to the events of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", which takes place in 1979 AD. So these quick shots must take place in 1979 AD.
