Re: movies/t.v. vs comic books
"Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot."
Spider-Man changed prior to "The Other" storyline. He was changed in the Straczyski book to bring him up to speed with the movies, which borrowed heavily from the Ultimate storyline/origin.
The X-Men was done with the characters that are the most recognized/popular at the time (sans Gambit). To be fair, most people really wouldn't be interested in a movie about Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman and Marvel Girl. Wolverine was the focal point/perspective the viewers were given as a look into the lives of the X-Men.
And don't blame Clooney for Schumacher