Sean Cassidy

"You like fish, I like fish too. Maybe we should get a bite sometime and talk about it."

―Sean Cassidy ^[src]

Sean Cassidy, also known as Banshee, is a mutant with the ability of superhumanly powerful lungs, throat, and vocal cords could produce a sonic scream for various effects, in concert with limited, reflexive psionic powers which directed his sonic vibrations. He can hover or fly at the speed of sound.

Biography

X-Men: First Class

Sean Cassidy is a mutant with the ability to create powerful sonic waves with his voice. In 1962 he was recruited by Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr in order for him to join their team of mutant peacekeepers they were forming for the CIA.

After the Hellfire Club tried to recuit them, Sean and the others relocated to Xavier's mansion where they began training to defeat Shaw. Xavier taught him how to control his ability and use it to fly by using a harness developed by Hank McCoy.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the team assembled to finally confront the Hellfire Club, faced Angel alongside Havok.^[1]

X-Men: Days of Future Past

During a harsh confrontation between Charles Xavier and Magneto on a plane, Eric reproaches over the death of Azazel, Angel, Emma Frost and Banshee.

X2: X-Men United

His name appears on a list of names Mystique scrolls through on Stryker's computer while looking for Magneto's file.

Powers and Abilities

Sound Wave Generation: Banshee was able to generate and create powerful sound waves.
Sonokinesis: Banshee was able to manipulate sound waves.
Super Sonic Scream: Banshee had superhumanly powerful lungs, throat, and vocal cords, he can produce a sonic scream for various effects, in concert with limited, reflexive psionic powers which directed his sonic vibrations. He also had the ability to use it underwater for sonar.
Flight: Banshee can hover or fly at the speed of sound.

Relationships

Thomas Cassidy - Cousin.
Charles Xavier - Friend and mentor.
Moira MacTaggert - Friend and Teacher.
Armando Muñoz - Friend and teammate; Deceased.
Alex Summers - Friend and teammate; Deceased.
Hank McCoy - Friend and teammate.
Angel Salvadore - Friend and teammate turned enemy; Deceased.
Sebastian Shaw - Enemy; Deceased.
Janos Quested - Enemy.
Emma Frost - Enemy; Deceased.
Azazel - Enemy; Deceased.
Erik Lehnsherr - Former teacher turned enemy.
Raven Darkholme - Friend and teammate turned enemy.

Behind the scenes

Irish actor Robert Sheehan was originally cast as the character but dropped out due to commitments to Misfits.

Trivia

In the comics, Banshee is from Ireland, in the film Cassidy is American.
A ginger mutant with a gag on is seen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it was assumed that this mutant was Banshee. However, Banshee is said to have died before the events of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
In the comics, Siryn is his daughter. However, Banshee is supposed to have died before 1973 making it impossible for the film version to be his daughter.