Thank god! A fourth movie would just kill the series, like it did with Superman and Batman.

Aw man....I was looking forward to a 4th movie in the trilogy.

I'm sure what I read here in HCR what the Jugernault actor sign for do a X4 and X5.

With so many mutants, how are they going to just end this at three? There's many popular characters that have barely made it to the screen, let alone developed. What do I know though...

They take too friggin long to put the movie out. That's why. I don't want to be 70 by the time they get around to finally introducing Bishop or Cable. They may as well end on top of the game. Gives us other movies to look forward.

Yes, they said this is the last part of a trilogy but that doesn't mean there won't be more movies. It just means that for the most part the storylines started out in X-Men 1 and continued in X-Men 2 will be wrapped up in this one. So some will die, some will move on but it doesn't necessarily mean there won't be more X-Men movies to come. Think of it like Star Wars, Lucas could still make movies that occur after the first trilogy if he wanted to.

Having said that, I think it might be time to wind it down.

Yeah, this is probably a stupid question but, as Superfro pointed out, in order for it to be a trilogy wouldn't X3 have to be the last one ... ?

And, quite frankly, after hearing about the things that're supposedly happening in this movie and seeing the unstoppable Rubbernaut's costume, I'm not going to be terribly sad to see this 'franchise' end. Give us one good Wolverine spin-off movie and call it quits.

Word on that. I don't even consider there being two films to begin with. There's X2 and that's all as far as I'm concerned. I hated the first film. X2 was amazing, and X3 looks like it will be a mix. I actually don't even want the Wolvie spinoff, but that's probably more from my dislike of the character himself. Oh..and Hugh Jackman. I don't care how fun it is to say his name, he bugs me.

Don't forget the Magneto spin off focusing around his early years. Who wants to bet they'll wimp out and completely leave out any trace of him being in a concentration camp? I'm sure there'll be at least one scene where Magneto fights a magnet or something as well.

A trilogy is just a story arc. X-3 being the last of the trilogy just means they're tying up any remaining loose ends (Phoenix, Brotherhood, Xavier / Magneto relationship, etc).

There's no reason the franchise can't continue.
In fact, this could be the launching platform for a good ongoing series of movies; perhaps in the vein of Bond with a rotating cast.
Next movie could introduce a new team of X-men, with maybe a few carry overs or characters graduating from 'cameo' status.
Colossus, Shadowcat, Gambit, Rogue, and so many more could be the new team with a new foe. (Sentinels!!)
Keep on Patrick Steward in a supporting character role, but not a focus, to maintain some continuity – and move on. Then in a few years (like 10 probably) come back and revisit old characters like Wolverine and Storm, but with new takes / actors (like Bond does).

As long as the scripts and the director remain solid, the franchise could continue.
(Just stay away from any time travel stories!)

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No! They have to keep going! Where else will we get our fix of the genius that is Halle Berry? We need more Storm, as she is clearly the most interesting character in the series. And only Halle's vacant "I wonder if anyone just heard me break wind?" stare can convey the gravitas needed for the role.

Not to worry, I'm sure someone in Hollywood is eager to get moving on Catwoman 2. I hear they're signing with WalMart to provide her costume.

One day, history will look back upon Halle's role in the X-Franchise and wonder....

no, thats it...we will just wonder....