Why all other X-Men films are still relevant (spoilers)

Warning: This post contains spoilers for "X-Men: Days of Future Past" as well as other X-Men films. If you have not seen this movie do not read any further unless you do not care.

When I first saw the new X-Men film, I thought the overall it was incredible. However, I had mixed feelings about the ending. It makes the timeline of the cinematic universe so that the events of all the other movies, except for "First Class" did not happen.

I have since warmed up to the way it ended because it does a good job making me want more X-Men and causing me to really think about the film after it ends. Furthermore, though the timeline has completely changed, every single film before it is still relevant because Wolverine's character arc is allowed to continue.

Though the X-Men films have a lot of different characters, I would argue that Wolverine is the main protagonist. Throughout each film, he is the one with the biggest character arc. He is constantly learning new things and changing. The story starts with him not remembering who he is or where he came from. For the first few movies, the audience becomes very interested in knowing the answer to this question, and he learns the most about it in the second film, "X2."

Whether you like the movie or not, Wolverine goes through a traumatic experience in "X-Men: The Last Stand." Jean Grey, who he has loved from the beginning, becomes extremely powerful and unstable. She causes a lot of harm, and if she does not stop, a lot of people will be killed. Wolverine, being invincible, is the only one who can approach her without dying. Because of this, it is him who must kill her in the end.

While I did have some problems with "The Wolverine," I really liked how it continues this arc. Killing Jean Grey causes him to feel depressed and guilty. The intention of that film is to show the title character coming to terms with what happened and realize she had to die so a lot of innocent people would be spared.

In order for "X-Men: Days of Future Past" to happen, Wolverine needs to be in a state-of-mind suitable to mentor Professor Xavior's past self. It is not until the ending of "The Wolverine," that he is able to do so.

At the end of the newest installment, Wolverine is apparently the only person who remembers these events. This means his character arc will still be able to continue despite the fact that the timeline is now completely different.