Casting Professor X For The MCU

Who could play the MCU's new Professor X? The X-Men are coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with them, their leader and mentor, the telepath Charles Xavier. When Kevin Feige, Marvel Studio head, first uttered the word "mutants" at Disney's D23 convention in 2019, X-Men fans were filled with excitement at the potential for a new era featuring this "hated and feared" superpowered team.

Prior to the completion of the Disney-Fox merger, which will see the X-Men and the Fantastic Four join the MCU, mutants have been displaying various forms of cinematic superheroism since the Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart led X-Men film, released in 2000. Lauded for its initial contribution to the explosion of the superhero genre and the accompanying commercial success of comic book source material, the Fox-produced franchise attracted critical acclaim for early entries, particularly the first two movies and later Logan. But then the series experienced a struggle in finding its footing at times. With last year's unsuccessful Dark Phoenix, ostensibly a send-off for the Fox iterations of characters, and the much plagued and already-maligned New Mutants offering an unfortunate footnote, a fresh start in the MCU is needed.

Since this franchise seems poised for reinvention, much conversation has been had regarding the casting of X-Men leader Professor X, who was portrayed in the Fox series by both Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy while steering clear of Professor X's more morally challenging side. Both superb actors in their own right, Stewart and McAvoy were able to turn in thoughtful performances, even within some of the series' less satisfying entries. But who can follow in their footsteps as the MCU's Professor X?

David Oyelowo

Much speculation on the role has circled around this British-American actor who, like Stewart before him, has a history with Shakespeare and classical theatre, which surely would come in handy when portraying a character with such gravitas. The youngest of the suggestions here, David Oyewolo has previously starred in the critically acclaimed BBC Les Miserables miniseries as well as Disney's Queen of Katwe.

However, it is Oyewolo's portrayal of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma - the actor's highest-profile role to date - that could prove particularly relevant to Charles Xavier. The late Stan Lee, writer, and co-creator of the X-Men, has been on record stating inspiration for X-Men found origins in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s with Magneto inspired by Malcolm X and Charles Xavier inspired by Martin Luther King. While it may be a bit on-the-nose to cast Oyelowo in a role originally inspired by the real-life figure behind his most famous role, the creators behind the MCU may choose to capitalize on that history and rather meta connection. Additionally, it must be noted that, since Charles (and Erik) are presented in the comic books as white men, the decision to cast more black actors in central roles may help to not only diversify the X-Men but to more respectfully pay homage to the intent of the original comics.

Jeremy Irons

This well-established English star of The Borgias and HBO's risk-taking and highly acclaimed Watchmen series would bring a different spin to the mind-reading mutant. Known for his careful character work and for turning in some performances which depict, at times, shrewd and scheming men, Iron's Xavier could explore the character's more unethical (some might say "villainous") behavior.

In the comics, Professor X is often presented as a character blessed with great power and influence, sometimes sacrificing others for the greater good. Irons, who played the sociopathic Ozymandias in Watchmen can give off the aura of a skilled yet guarded chess master who, despite his proclaimed attachment to those around him, acts coldly without hesitation for his desired outcome. Casting Jeremy Irons would likely lead to a darker and more morally ambiguous portrayal of Charles, the likes of which have yet to be seen in live-action X-Men but which would certainly make for some interesting character dynamics and he would be a welcome addition to the MCU.

Giancarlo Esposito

Speaking of actors known for their villainous portrayals, actor Giancarlo Esposito - known for his chilling performance as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and the darksaber-wielding Moff Gideon in Disney+'s The Mandalorian - would be another great choice for Professor X. The Danish-born American actor is an incredibly gifted actor and it is high time that he played a leading role in a big comic book franchise.

Like Irons, Esposito is capable of displaying some of Xavier's murkier traits, but with calmer undertones. Esposito would certainly bring to life a Charles' constant calculation and intense determination, hidden behind a fairly genial exterior. If the MCU attempts to bring the recent Jonathan Hickman-led X-Men run, which depicts a mutant utopia in which Professor X has orchestrated a system in which all mutants are able to be resurrected with the help of cloning and a Cerebro that acts like an iCloud of mutant memories, Esposito experience of playing the man in control (for better or for worse) would make for a great choice.

Ralph Fiennes

Another English actor with a proclivity for Shakespeare and the classics, Ralph Fiennes would be another strong contender for the role of Professor X. Widely known for his portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, as well as his incarnation of M in the post-Skyfall James Bond movies, after the 007 series killed off Judy Dench's M, the actor is notable for his large acting range, showcasing abilities to turn in both wild and restrained performances - both of which are certainly valuable within the confines of the MCU.

On this list, Fiennes is perhaps the biggest wildcard. His reassuring on-screen presence and history in playing authoritative roles, as in the Bond films, would allow for other X-Men to take the stage without necessarily taking away from the prominence of his character. And if the new architects of the X-Men choose to give Charles a more villainous bent mid-series, Ralph Fiennes has proven that he is more than game to tap into darker, more antagonistic head-spaces.

Mark Strong

Kingsman actor Mark Strong is no stranger to comic book movies, having appeared in Kick-Ass, Green Lantern, and the DCEU's Shazam! While he played each of those films' antagonists, he has proved himself to be another actor capable of great range and particularly muscular energy that would lend itself to the MCU very well. Based on his portrayal of Merlin in the Kingsmen series, Mark Strong could also play Charles Xavier as a mentor figure in the X-Men franchise, a status very much in line with the character's original depiction.

Strong's commanding presence and booming voice would be helpful in presenting Xavier as a teacher, similar to his early appearances in the comics, where Xavier led a small group of X-Men including Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Beast, and Angle, designing exercises and tech to train them in the use of their abilities. Capable of portraying both tough love and a level of empathy for his trainees might add a nice level of nuance to the character.

Courtney B. Vance

A long-time actor within the Law and Order universe and an Emmy winner for his performance as Johnnie Cochran in The People v. O.J. Simpson, the commanding Courtney B. Vance would make for another strong Xavier candidate. With his wife Angela Bassett already a part of the MCU thanks to her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther - there could be something of a family reunion.

With his skills as a great orator and propensity for convincing others even without the assistance of Xavier's mind control, Vance would be especially suited to a Professor X leading the conversation between mutant-human relations. If Xavier, hoping to carve out a place for mutants in a world that "hates and fears" them, assumes some sort of political role to deal with the emergence of his superpowered brothers and sisters, Courtney B. Vance would certainly be the man for the job. He is another great actor who, despite consistent and compelling performances, has never made his way into a large franchise film, and it would be wonderful to watch Vance sink his teeth into such a complex role.

While this article lists just a few possible options for the MCU's recast version of Professor X, each could bring strength and skill to the performance. Since so little is known of how and when mutants will make their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the eventual casting of the X-Men and, especially, their psychic founder will surely help to reveal the direction and overall trajectory of the Feige-led reboot. Hopefully, he and the MCU creators will help forge a new direction for mutants; one that manages to update the series and its mutant metaphor, all the while paying homage to key elements of the X-Men comics.

Next: The X-Men's Most Dangerous Island is Coming To The MCU