Halle Berry’s X-Men Line That Sparked Decades of Debate
Halle Berry’s delivery of a single line in the original X-Men film has become legendary for its awkwardness. Even director Joss Whedon admits the moment could have landed differently. Decades later, the scene still has fans talking.
It seems like the early 2000s era of superhero movies is having a major resurgence. Chris Evans has suited up again as the Human Torch, Tobey Maguire has swung back into action as Spider-Man, and Jennifer Garner is set to return as Elektra. With the X-Men franchise now back under Marvel’s umbrella, there’s growing buzz about whether Halle Berry might step back into the role of Storm, a character she helped define across three major films.
Berry, an Academy Award winner, brought Ororo Munroe—better known as Storm—to life in Fox’s first trio of X-Men movies. While she was never the central figure, her presence was crucial, using her weather-controlling powers to turn the tide in countless battles. She even switched up her look between films, keeping fans guessing. Berry made a brief appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but hasn’t returned since. Some speculate it’s because of her rocky experience with the studio during X-Men: The Last Stand, or maybe it’s the memory of one particularly infamous scene that’s kept her away.
That Unforgettable Line
Near the end of the first X-Men movie, Storm faces off against Toad, one of Magneto’s henchmen. As she prepares to strike, she asks, “What happens to a toad when it’s struck by lightning?” Instead of a clever punchline, Berry delivers the now-iconic response: “The same thing that happens to everything else.”
This line, which has puzzled and amused fans for years, was penned by Joss Whedon, who later directed The Avengers. Whedon was brought in to rework much of the film’s final act, including this scene. In an interview, he reflected on the moment, saying,
“It was supposed to be like a throwaway, and she did it like she was King Lear,”
and added,
“I was trying to explain what I had written versus the actor who played it. But all people remember is you’re the one who wrote that terrible line. I should have never told that story.”
Why the Scene Still Resonates
Whedon’s intention was to subvert the typical superhero one-liner, aiming for an “anti-quip” that would stand out from the usual banter. But Berry’s serious delivery, paired with the bizarre image of Toad clinging to a railing with his tongue, only made the moment more surreal. The director, Bryan Singer, may have missed the intended tone, leaving Berry to work with what she was given.
Despite the awkwardness, the line has become a memorable part of movie history. It’s a moment that fans still look forward to, even if it’s for all the wrong reasons. Over 25 years later, it’s clear that sometimes, the most unexpected scenes are the ones that stick with us the longest.