Laurence Fishburne expresses interest in playing Professor X. [Image Source: COMICBOOK]
Marvel Studios is preparing for a major reboot of the X-Men franchise, which will feature a fresh cast of actors for the mutant team after the original members return in next December’s Avengers: Doomsday. Jake Schreier, director of Thunderbolts, will lead this new chapter, tasked with selecting performers who can define these iconic characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for years to come. This casting challenge is significant since audiences are already familiar with celebrated portrayals of key mutants, such as Cyclops, Wolverine, and Storm.
Laurence Fishburne Expresses Desire to Play Charles Xavier
Among the characters awaiting recasting, Professor X stands out as a particularly notable role. Legendary actors Sir Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy have both famously embodied the powerful telepath who leads the team. Recently, at New York Comic Con, Laurence Fishburne, known for his role in The Witcher, revealed his interest in stepping into the shoes of Charles Xavier. Fishburne is no stranger to Marvel, having voiced Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and appeared as Bill Foster in Ant-Man and The Wasp as well as the animated series What If…?
In an interview with ComicBook.com, Fishburne opened up about why Professor X is the comic character he most wants to portray. He said,
Image of: Laurence Fishburne
“I am a true believer in terms of the Marvel space,”
and added,
“Whether it’s Marvel comic books or the MCU. I was reading comic books at the age of six in New York City, and those writers and those artists were talking about things that were happening in the city that I was growing up in.”
Fishburne’s Connection to Marvel and the Role
Fishburne reflected on his personal ties to the Marvel Universe, emphasizing the strong impact the stories made on him early in life. He explained,
“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,”
followed by,
“I’m very, very pleased with the way that they have played out. I’m a huge fan of all of those movies.”
He further clarified why Professor X feels like a fitting role for him at this stage in his career:
“Professor X, at the moment, is, I feel, the most appropriate character for me to play at the age that I am at this point. And for the kind of roles that I am known for. It feels like it would be fit for me. So that’s why.”
Aspirations Regarding Professor X’s Iconic Look
When asked about possibly embracing Professor X’s distinctive comic book features, such as his uniquely shaped eyebrows, Fishburne responded with humor. He said,
“Well, I will speak to them if I am fortunate enough to fulfill this dream. If I am fortunate enough to realize that dream, I will certainly make the request about the eyebrows.”
The Future of Professor X in the MCU Remains Uncertain
The likelihood of Laurence Fishburne portraying Professor X depends on several factors. Marvel Studios may opt to cast a younger actor, particularly if a teenage version of the X-Men team is introduced. Alternatively, the studio could choose to adapt Charles Xavier’s character to align with his more proactive depiction from the Krakoa era, where he is less confined by his wheelchair. The selection will likely reflect the vision Marvel wants to pursue for its new X-Men era.
Fans and observers alike wonder if Fishburne’s combination of experience and passion for Marvel characters could make him the ideal choice to bring Professor X back to the screen in the MCU’s next phase.
