Laurence Fishburne, known for his role as Dr. Bill Foster (Black Goliath/Giant-Man) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2018 film Ant-Man and The Wasp, has voiced a desire to take on a new character within the MCU. During a Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con, Fishburne suggested he would like to portray Professor Charles Xavier in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot. This proposal marks a significant shift from his previous MCU role and highlights his interest in returning to the franchise in a fresh capacity. The Laurence Fishburne X-Men proposal emerges as Marvel prepares to reintroduce the mutant heroes into its cinematic universe.
Background on Fishburne’s MCU Involvement and Future Prospects
While Fishburne’s portrayal of Bill Foster was well-received, his involvement in the MCU has been limited. He appeared on-screen only once, in Ant-Man and The Wasp, and later provided the voice for the character in the animated series What If…? Despite rumors suggesting he might reprise his role in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, the film’s underwhelming box office performance and mixed critical reaction have made additional sequels unlikely for now. This suggests Fishburne’s return as Foster may not be imminent, prompting his openness to exploring other roles within Marvel’s evolving cinematic landscape.
Fishburne’s Vision for Playing Professor X
At New York Comic Con, Fishburne directly asked the audience about the possibility of playing the iconic mutant leader, Professor X. He stated:
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?
This candid appeal indicates his enthusiasm for the role and his willingness to contribute to the MCU in a new way. When asked about other potential characters, Fishburne remained open but uncertain, adding,
I don’t know, I’m gonna let you guys decide. I can’t figure it out.
Rejection of Star Wars Role Offer
Fishburne also addressed questions regarding roles outside Marvel, particularly in the Star Wars universe. He made clear that he had no interest in pursuing a Star Wars part, despite being an engaged viewer of the franchise. Concerning this, Fishburne 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.
This underscores his focus on Marvel and preference for roles within that franchise.
Potential Casting Changes for Professor X in the MCU
The character of Professor X, originally played by Sir Patrick Stewart in the MCU, is expected to be recast as part of Marvel’s wider Mutant Saga initiative. While Stewart is slated to return as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday, the studio appears to be exploring other actors for the role in the upcoming X-Men comic book adaptations. Names like Colman Domingo have surfaced in recent reports, though official casting decisions seem to be in early stages. Fishburne’s readiness to take on the character adds another intriguing possibility to the casting process.
Development Status of the MCU’s X-Men Film
The X-Men reboot is actively moving forward, with screenwriter Michael Lesslie currently developing the script. Industry insiders anticipate additional writers will join the project to complete the screenplay. Jake Schreier, director of the recently released Thunderbolts, has confirmed his involvement with the upcoming X-Men movie, expressing excitement about the project’s progress. Schreier shared insights into his learning experience with Marvel films during an interview with Empire:
I can’t say anything about it, but we’ve started work on X-Men, and that’s obviously very, very exciting,
and further added,
There are so many things that I didn’t know about before I started [Thunderbolts*]. The biggest learning curve for me was the proportion of the action to the more emotional, character-driven scenes, and how, even though it’s more shooting days than I’ve ever had, they get eaten up quite quickly by the action stuff. By the time we got to the end of it, it felt like, ‘Oh, now I feel like we get how to do this a little bit better.’
Anticipated Release and Fan Reactions
The MCU’s X-Men film is rumored to be scheduled for release on May 5, 2028. As Marvel continues to integrate mutants into its cinematic universe, fans have expressed curiosity and excitement over potential casting choices, especially for major roles such as Professor X. Laurence Fishburne’s open proposal to take on the part adds an unexpected twist to upcoming casting discussions. Viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the idea of Fishburne as Charles Xavier, which could influence fan sentiment as Marvel moves forward with the franchise reboot.
