Laurence Fishburne has expressed his strong desire to play Professor Charles Xavier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite current plans to reboot the X-Men franchise already being underway. The Matrix actor revealed his hope to be considered for the role in any future X-Men reboot that starts fresh, as he believes the character would suit his current age and experience.
A new X-Men movie is planned to be directed by Jake Schreier, with a rumored release after Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for late 2027. Though Fishburne has previously appeared in the MCU as Bill Foster, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in Ant-Man and the Wasp, he remains hopeful for an opportunity to embody the professor’s role in the franchise’s next phase.
Laurence Fishburne’s Connection to Marvel and the Role of Professor X
Fishburne described himself as a devoted fan of Marvel Comics and the MCU, highlighting his long-standing connection to the brand. Growing up in New York and reading comics since he was six years old, he developed a deep appreciation for many characters and stories that reflected the city and era of his youth. This personal connection contributed to his desire to portray Professor X, a character he feels is well-suited to him as he advances in age.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Fishburne stated,
“I am what I like to describe as a true believer when it comes to all things Marvel Comics and the MCU,”
followed by,
“At the age that I am at now, I feel that Professor X is probably the most appropriate thing for me to do if I were lucky enough to be cast in another Marvel picture.”
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Fishburne further explained that the stories he read as a child were anchored in the experiences and social climate of New York City, which made many Marvel characters resonate with him deeply. Reflecting on the MCU’s casting and storytelling, he shared,
“Those writers and those artists were talking about things that were happening in the city that I was growing up in. So, of course, there are many characters in the Marvel Universe that I related to that I wished I could have played when I was younger. But I’m very, very pleased with the way that the movies have been cast. I’m very, very pleased with the way that they have played out. I’m a huge fan of all of those movies.”
Fishburne has signaled his interest in a new era for Professor X before. At New York Comic Con on October 12, he told an enthusiastic crowd that he would welcome the chance to step into the role previously inhabited by Sir Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy, aiming to bring his own interpretation to the character if given the opportunity.
Returning X-Men Actors Set to Appear in Upcoming Avengers Film
Fans of the original 20th Century Fox X-Men films have reason to celebrate, as several actors from those movies are confirmed to return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Patrick Stewart will reprise his iconic role as Professor Charles Xavier, with Ian McKellen also returning to portray Magneto. Other beloved cast members coming back include Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, and Kelsey Grammer as Beast.
Channing Tatum, who portrayed Gambit in Deadpool and Wolverine, is also confirmed to appear. Having been cast as Gambit as far back as 2014 and involved in a stalled solo film, Tatum’s role was disrupted by Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Ten years after his initial casting, Tatum finally brought Gambit to the screen and expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt message acknowledging Ryan Reynolds for supporting him during the process. He said,
“I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit…I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya buddy…All things happen for a reason.”
Notable X-Men Characters and Their Portrayals
The X-Men saga has featured several distinguished actors depicting key characters. Hugh Jackman portrayed Logan, also known as Wolverine, becoming one of the franchise’s definitive figures. Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier and Ian McKellen as Magneto both delivered memorable performances that helped define the series. Famke Janssen played Jean Grey, adding depth to the mutant ensemble through her character’s complex narrative arc.
The Future of Laurence Fishburne and the Marvel Universe
Laurence Fishburne’s aspirations to take on the role of Professor X highlight the ongoing anticipation surrounding the evolving X-Men franchise within the MCU. With new films in development and the return of several fan-favorite actors, Marvel’s handling of these characters carries significant potential to impact the franchise’s direction and fans’ expectations.
Fishburne’s hope to join this legacy as a new iteration of Professor Xavier reflects not only his personal connection to the Marvel universe but also the continued enthusiasm actors have for these iconic roles. As Marvel prepares for future releases after Avengers: Secret Wars, the possibility of casting changes and fresh storytelling may offer opportunities for seasoned performers like Fishburne to contribute meaningfully to the evolving narrative.
These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day. I sat in the audience when Ryan Reynolds showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world and I think I ran back stage right after and found him and I think I just hugged him and was like holy shit you did it man. It’s perfect.… pic.twitter.com/B5viY2f7nl
— Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) July 30, 2024
