In the 2000 film X-Men, what is the real name of the mutant villain Magneto?

In the 2000 film X-Men, Magneto’s real name is Erik Lehnsherr.

The film presents Magneto as a powerful mutant who can control magnetic fields and manipulate metal. He is played by Ian McKellen, while the character’s younger history is connected to the Holocaust, which shaped his distrust of humans and governments.

Magneto’s identity has varied across Marvel stories. In different comic-book eras, he has also been called Max Eisenhardt, and the films use elements of those names and histories. This can cause confusion when comparing the film continuity with the comics.

The character is introduced as both an ideological opponent of Charles Xavier and a former friend. Their disagreement centers on whether mutants should seek peaceful coexistence with humans or prepare to defend themselves by force.