Marvel Studios has a knack for revisiting past cinematic moments, and in a delightful twist, they've just paid homage to a rather infamous line from the 2000 film "X-Men." This quote, which has been the subject of much ridicule over the years, has found new life in the animated special "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition," released 24 years after the original movie's debut. The "X-Men" franchise, which began with that film, has since expanded to include 13 films, each building on the legacy of the mutant heroes introduced by Professor X.

In the original film, during a climactic showdown at the Statue of Liberty, Storm, one of the X-Men, faced off against the villainous Toad. The battle was meant to be a tense moment, but it was overshadowed by a cringe-worthy line delivered by Storm before she struck Toad with lightning: “Do you know what happens to a toad when it's struck by lightning? The same thing that happens to everything else.” This attempt at humor fell flat, and the line has since become a running joke among fans.

However, in a surprising move, Marvel has given this line a second chance in "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition." The special follows the story of Dennis, an average city worker who inadvertently becomes a hero known as "Moondragon" when he uses his unique ability to free the Avengers from a trap. In the final battle against the villain Terrax, Black Panther corners the antagonist and asks, “Have you heard the one about the toad getting struck by lightning?” This is followed by Thor and Storm appearing in the sky to unleash their electric powers on Terrax, clearly referencing Storm's line from the 2000 film.

The reason this reference works in "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition" is that the LEGO animated projects are inherently lighthearted and filled with comedic elements. The original "X-Men" line was delivered with a straight face, which made it feel out of place and cheesy. However, in the LEGO universe, where humor is expected, such a line fits right in. The project embraces the line for the joke it was meant to be, and in doing so, has helped to redeem it in the eyes of fans.

The infamous "X-Men" line has always been a source of both love and hate among fans, but Marvel's latest reference has breathed new life into it. "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition" not only pays tribute to a classic moment but also shows that even the most cringe-worthy lines can find their place in the right context.