It is only natural to make changes when it comes to adaptations, and the same can definitely be said for Fox's new X-Men show, "The Gifted." One change of which happens to be regarding one character's comics history: John Proudstar a.k.a. Thunderbird, played by Blair Redford.
Fans of the comics will definitely know that the mutant was around for a very short period of time, two issues to be exact, before getting killed off. Thunderbird was part of the second-generation X-Men team, along with Colossus, Storm, and Wolverine that went on to become icons in the universe until today. Thunderbird's demise in the comics allowed his brother James Proudstar a.k.a. Warpath to take on his mantle in several other mutant factions.
Fortunately, that will definitely not be the case for Redford in the series, which is currently four episodes in. Speaking to CBR during a set visit last month, it is safe to say that not only is Thunderbird steering clear from his tragic death in the comics on the show, he also happens to be one of the main mutants. He is one of the leaders of the Mutant Underground alongside Lorna Dane a.k.a. Polaris (Emma Dumont). Redford is, of course, pleased that they are steering clear of the source material when it comes to his character.
Redford shared that he has heard many X-Men fans are happy that his version of Thunderbird is staying alive on the show. He shared that there has been an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans that like the character. He claimed that at first he did not know how they would react, given that Thunderbird died almost immediately in the comics.
While tragedy is among the elements present on the show, Redford is quite open to have a noble ending for the mutant, at least down the line. He said that if the show is successful, there would be a good opportunity there if the producers want to do a sort of tragic ending for Thunderbird. Fortunately, that is not going to come anytime soon, so fans can still look forward to seeing him around.
Other than being glad that Thunderbird is staying alive, Redford also shared how he would love to have him team up with Warpath in the series. The actor said that the brothers teaming up would be something that fans and viewers would love to see happen on the show.
"I think that's a story everybody would be really excited about and there's a lot of places to go with it. I'm not sure what we could do there or what we have plans to do with the character, but that would be pretty exciting to me. Obviously, it'd be a cool team up to see the Proudstar brothers," said Redford.
It is not a far-off possibility to have. Warpath was already brought to life in the movies in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," along with Blink. So, there is a chance that he could cross over to the small-screen.
"The Gifted" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on FOX.
