Laurence Fishburne, known for his role as Goliath in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man & The Wasp, has voiced his desire to take on the role of Professor Charles Xavier in Marvel Studios’ new X-Men reboot directed by Jake Schreier. Fishburne raised this campaign during a conversation at New York Comic-Con, aiming to be considered for the mentor of the mutant team in the upcoming film.
Fishburne’s Statement and Interaction at New York Comic-Con
During an interview hosted by Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast at the convention, Fishburne openly asked fans and the audience to consider him for the role of Professor X. The crowd responded enthusiastically when he said,
“I know that they’re talking about the ‘X-Men’ now,”
followed by,
“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?”
Josh Horowitz reacted positively, responding, Approved…Greenlit!
Assessing Other Franchise Involvements
While Fishburne is eager for the X-Men part, his enthusiasm for joining the Star Wars universe is notably restrained. When Horowitz suggested a potential role there, Fishburne declined, sharing that he prefers to enjoy the franchise as a viewer rather than an actor. He remarked,
“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.”
Previous Actor Campaigns and MCU Role History
Fishburne is not the first to promote themselves for the role of Professor X; actor Giancarlo Esposito similarly embraced fans’ encouragement to take on the character, famously portrayed by Patrick Stewart for over 25 years. Stewart is expected to return in the MCU film Avengers: Doomsday. Although Esposito did not end up as Professor X, he secured a role in Captain America: Brave New World as Sidewinder, a significant antagonist who might influence upcoming Marvel projects.
Despite Fishburne’s prior portrayal of Dr. Bill Foster in the Ant-Man sequel, playing multiple roles within the MCU is not unprecedented. However, details concerning the primary cast for Schreier’s X-Men reboot remain limited. Kevin Feige and Schreier have indicated an interest in incorporating younger actors to bring fresh energy to the mutant saga.
Marvel’s Broad Plans for the Mutants in the MCU
Marvel has demonstrated its long-term commitment to mutant characters even before the reboot’s release. This includes the revival of the animated series X-Men ’97, its third season currently in development, as well as blockbuster hits featuring Deadpool and Wolverine. Additionally, key actors from the previous X-Men films are returning for Avengers: Doomsday. Feige’s tease of The Mutant Saga signals a major expansion of mutants’ presence within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, promising a substantial impact on future storylines.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Marvel’s Mutant Frontier
As the reboot gathers momentum, the casting process and integration of iconic characters like Professor X will be crucial to defining the franchise’s future. Laurence Fishburne’s campaign reveals both his enthusiasm and the competitive nature of Marvel’s upcoming projects. With Jake Schreier steering the reboot and Marvel focusing on connecting younger talent with established legacy actors, the mutant narrative is set to become a pivotal component in the MCU’s evolving landscape.
