Laurence Fishburne has openly shown his enthusiasm for becoming the new Professor Charles Xavier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming X-Men series. The 64-year-old actor made this declaration during a Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con, signaling his desire to lead the mutant group as the iconic telepathic leader.
During the event, Fishburne addressed the crowd directly about the ongoing developments with the X-Men franchise, stating,
“I know that they’re talking about the X-Men now. So, at this point, I want one of two things. The first thing would be: what do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?”
The audience greeted this proposal with immediate cheers and applause, while host Josh Horowitz enthusiastically responded, “Approved, Greenlit!”
The Legacy and Powers of Professor Charles Xavier
Professor Charles Xavier, founder of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, is known as the leader of the X-Men. His telepathic powers enable him to read and control minds, produce illusions, and create psychic defenses. This character has been portrayed on screen twice during Fox’s era of X-Men films, first by Patrick Stewart and then by James McAvoy, each bringing their own depth to the role.
Fishburne’s Openness to Roles Beyond Professor X
While Fishburne is clear about his ambition to play Professor X, he remains open to other potential roles. He turned the choice to his fans, admitting,
“I don’t know, I’m gonna let you guys decide. I can’t figure it out.”
However, when the possibility of joining the Star Wars universe was suggested, he declined swiftly, emphasizing his contentment as a viewer rather than an actor in that franchise. “No, I’m good,” he said.
“I’m watching everything. I’m watching every Star Wars, I’m in the middle of Rebels now, man. I’m good on the couch with Star Wars. I don’t need a lightsaber. I don’t — pew pew! — I don’t need it.”
Fishburne also reflected on his career philosophy, explaining that his favorite roles are always the ones ahead of him.
“People always ask me, ‘What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever done?’ And I’m always like, ‘The next one,’”
he remarked.
“Whatever the next thing is. It’s been 25 years since The Matrix, and maybe some freak out there has got a strange movie they want to do, and nobody knows if it’ll work. I’m your guy!”
Marvel’s X-Men: Official Integration into the MCU
The official integration of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe became possible following Disney’s 2019 merger with Fox. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed earlier in the year that the X-Men would be recast after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. Before this recasting, actors from Fox’s original X-Men films, including some of the original cast, will reprise their iconic roles in Avengers: Doomsday.
The mutant team has already made crossover appearances within MCU projects. An alternate-universe version of Patrick Stewart’s Professor X appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Kelsey Grammer’s portrayal of Hank McCoy was seen in a post-credits scene for The Marvels. These cameo appearances hint at Marvel’s plans to further weave the X-Men storylines into the broader MCU narrative.
Laurence Fishburne’s Previous Marvel Roles
Laurence Fishburne is no stranger to Marvel properties, having played Dr. Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp as well as providing voice work for Marvel projects. He voiced the Beyonder in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and lent his voice to Norrin Radd, aka Silver Surfer, in Fox’s 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. His established Marvel affiliation strengthens his case to join the MCU’s growing mutant ranks.
Additional Marvel Connections Revealed at New York Comic Con
At the same panel, Fishburne’s Matrix co-star Joe Pantoliano shared that he will appear in Marvel’s upcoming television series Wonder Man in an undisclosed role. This news adds to the anticipation surrounding new Marvel projects and confirms further actor involvement extending beyond the films.
Reactions from Former X-Men Actors on Recasting Rumors
Fishburne’s declaration coincided with comments from James McAvoy and Elliot Page, former stars of the Fox X-Men franchise. The pair addressed rumors about new casting for the franchise during their panel. Asked about reports linking Colman Domingo to the role of Professor X and Bella Ramsey to Kitty Pryde, Page expressed support, saying,
“I don’t really follow [the casting rumors], but they sound fantastic. I mean, it’d be just so exciting to see people do a take on a new iteration [of X-Men].”
McAvoy also conveyed positive anticipation, stating,
“Look, I’m excited to see what happens next. I was a fan before I was an employee and I’ll be a fan again! You want it to be…I just can’t wait for it to be…Oh no, that was going to sound bad. It’s going to put a lot of pressure on people. Colman Domingo sounds amazing, though!”
What’s Next for Laurence Fishburne and the X-Men in the MCU
With Marvel’s ongoing expansion of the MCU and the X-Men’s official inclusion on the horizon, Laurence Fishburne’s public interest as Professor X adds a compelling dimension to the casting conversation. His significant Marvel experience and commanding presence could offer a fresh interpretation of the beloved character. Fans and industry watchers alike will be eager to see how Marvel Studios proceeds with recasting and integrating the mutants, which promises to reshape the MCU’s superhero landscape in the coming years.
