Laurence Fishburne, known for his role in John Wick 2, expressed interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe by playing Professor X in the upcoming X-Men films. He revealed this during the Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con on Sunday, October 12, signaling his eagerness to step into this iconic role.
Fishburne Suggests Casting Himself as Marvel’s Professor X
At the New York Comic Con panel, Fishburne directly engaged the audience about his possible involvement in the MCU’s X-Men franchise, saying,
“So, at this point, I want one of two things,”
before asking,
“The first thing would be: what do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?”
Professor Charles Xavier, known for his intelligence, empathy, and powerful telepathic skills, has stood as a central figure in the X-Men universe, creating the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters as a refuge for mutants.
Should Fishburne be cast, he would join the lineage of actors who have portrayed Professor X, following in the footsteps of Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy from the 20th Century Fox version of the X-Men. Another contender mentioned for the role is Colman Domingo, known from Fear the Walking Dead, adding to speculation surrounding the new franchise direction. James McAvoy, speaking at the same fan convention, expressed enthusiasm about future X-Men projects while commenting on the casting rumors, stating,
“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!”
Uncertainty Surrounds Returning Cast for The Matrix 5
Warner Bros. has officially announced that The Matrix 5 is underway, with Drew Goddard leading as writer and director. Despite this, it remains unclear if original cast members, including Fishburne alongside Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves, will return. Reeves expressed openness to reprising his role if invited by Lana Wachowski in 2021; however, with new creative leadership in place, his participation appears uncertain.
Fishburne addressed his potential return while speaking at the Matrix panel, remarking that his involvement
“would depend on how good it is.”
He added,
“If it’s great, then yeah, if it makes sense. I don’t know if it makes sense.”
This cautious stance highlights his deliberation regarding revisiting a franchise he was pivotal to, having portrayed Morpheus in the original trilogy but not in the 2021 installment, The Matrix Resurrections, where Yahya Abdul-Mateen II assumed a program version of the character.
Fishburne’s Persistent Drive Toward New Opportunities
Whether Fishburne’s next role involves returning to The Matrix universe or embracing the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s iteration of Professor X, his focus remains firmly on forthcoming projects. Reflecting on his career, Fishburne shared,
“People always ask me, ‘What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever done?’ And I’m always like, ‘The next one.’ 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!”
This statement reveals his readiness to embrace new creative challenges despite uncertainty and external pressures.
What Fishburne’s Casting Could Mean for the X-Men Franchise
The addition of Laurence Fishburne as Professor X could introduce a powerful and compelling dynamic to the MCU’s X-Men adaptation. With his established presence in major franchises and experience playing complex characters, Fishburne could bring fresh gravitas to the role, joining a legacy started by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues expanding its roster, casting decisions like these signal significant shifts in how classic characters are reinterpreted for new audiences and platforms.
