Deadpool & Wolverinehas tied a bow on the pre-Disney merger Fox superheroes while also inviting new speculation on other mutants ready for the spotlight, such asChanning Tatum’sGambit. Now, with the X-Men’s imminent arrival to the MCU fast approaching andKevin Feigecalling them an important part of the franchise’s future, certain corners of the internet have been obsessing over which actors would be the best casting choices for their favorite mutants.
One of the biggest casting question marks is that of the fearless mutant leader himself, Professor Charles Xavier, AKA Professor X. BothPatrick StewartandJames McAvoymade indelible marks on the character, making them a tough act to follow. Still,many actors would be great choices to play Professor X, one of pop culture’s most iconic characters. Of all the actors who might be a good fit for the Cerebro helmet, these ten are the most perfect.
10James McAvoy
Known for ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)
It may be cheating to put an actor who has already held the position as the head of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, but McAvoy has more than proven his worth playinga younger, more impetuous version of the character.X-Men: Days of Future Pastranks as one of McAvoy’s best movies, and the actor only grows more appropriate for the role as he ages.
With the multiverse providing endless opportunities within the MCU, there’s no reason why McAvoy can’t return to the role. Patrick Stewart has already opened the door for this possibility with hiscameo inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McAvoy’s portrayal already has a different energy than Stewart’s, and he could bring even more vibrant shades to an MCU variant.
X-Men: First Class
9Stanley Tucci
Known for ‘The Lovely Bones’ (2009)
A character actor who has made a career out of iconic performances,Stanley Tuccican play roles that run the gamut from sinister to endearing. He’s just at home playing in romantic comedies as he is bombastic blockbusters. There’s no doubt thatThe Devil Wears Pradaactorcould make the role of Xavier all his own.
The major caveat is that Tucci has already appeared in the MCU as the man who made the original super soldier inCaptain America: The First Avenger. That’s an insignificant detail in the wake ofRobert Downey Jr.’s casting as the MCU’s Doctor Doom. Marvel has shown they are more than willing to overlook some casting inconsistency, soit’s time they welcomed this Oscar-nominated actor back into the fold.
The Lovely Bones
8Kristin Scott Thomas
Known For ‘Slow Horses’ (2022-Present)
If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to get fans fomenting, it’s changes to a character’s gender. Sometimes, change is exactly what the MCU needs. If Marvel is looking to shake things up and offer a unique interpretation of the distinguished mutant leader, thenKristin Scott Thomasis just what the doctor ordered.
Scott Thomas carries the kind of gravitas that a Professor X portrayal needs, and the thespian has shown a willingness to play in the populist pool, turning in a performance in the most recentTomb Raiderfeature film. Her casting might chafe against what certain fans would call comic-accurate casting, but if they looked beyond the surface level, they might see that the actress has all the other qualities they’d want in their Professor.
Slow Horses
7Cillian Murphy
Known for ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
After winning an Oscar for portraying the destroyer of worlds inOppenheimer,Cillian Murphyhas never had more heat. Marvel loves when an actor has heat, and even though some might argue the Irish actor would be abetter casting choice for Doctor Doom, he would certainly make for an inspired Charles Xavier as well.
Murphy hasan intensity that he can dial up to eleven or let simmer under the surface, which would play well in giving Professor X an edge. The actor himself may be the greatest obstacle standing in the way of his joining the MCU since the studio is known for wanting to lock actors down into multi-film contracts that can reach across a decade. If he could find some time between reprising his roles forthePeaky Blindersmovieor the horror sequel28 Years Later, he’d be a welcome guest at the house of Marvel.
Oppenheimer
6Tom Hanks
Known for ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ (2019)
Charles Xavier often served as a surrogate father to many of the wayward mutants who came under his care. It’d only be fitting then to cast America’s dad in the role to tap into the paternal side of the character.Tom Hankshas a world-weary wisdom in his performancesthat would be well suited to the mutant leader. The actor is also in need of a solid hit after some recent misfires, includingthe humbling box office performance ofHere.
Hanks could be a steady hand for the MCU. Marvel has been on the search for a new franchise anchor-being ever since the death of Iron Man. Casting a seasoned actor in a prominent role might just provide the presence they need. It may seem like an unlikely pairing on paper, but in a world whereHarrison Fordis the Red Hulk, anything is possible.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
5Colman Domingo
Known for ‘Rustin’ (2023)
Colman Domingo’sstar has been rising high lately. Since his Oscar-nominated performance inRustin,he’s headlined an excellent, twisty thriller on Netflix and has a role lined up inSteven Spielberg’supcoming UFO movie as well. All this talented Emmy winner needs now is a major franchise to call his own.
Domingo technically hasalready joined the world of Marvel as Norman Osbornin the animated seriesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. That series is set to take place in a universe separate from the MCU, which should allow the actor to have his villainous cake and heroically eat it, too. As a character, Professor X has often been compared to real-life activists, soDomingo should be well-prepared to take on the role.
4Mark Strong
Known for ‘The Penguin’ (2024)
Mark Stronghas already turned in three different performances in service of Marvel’s biggest rival, DC. First, he was wasted in villain roles in bothGreen LanternandShazam!,and most recently, hetook over the role of Carmine Falcone fromJohn TurturroinThe Penguin. Perhaps the time has come for Strong to switch sides and take a turn as a hero.
The actor has a career filled with bad guys. It would be a nice change of pace to see him use his gravelly pipes to deliver someinspirational Marvel movie quotesinstead of murderous threats. Strong’s version of the character would definitelygive off more of a stern headmaster vibe, the kind of teacher one does not want to cross. His would be a Professor X that could make a whole classroom comply without the need for mind control.
The Penguin
3Ralph Fiennes
Known For ‘Harry Potter’ (2001-2011)
Like Strong,Ralph Fienneshas a careerthat can be ranked by how awful each of his characters can be. He’s also got the range to carry a rom-com oppositeJennifer Lopezand serve up some cold revenge as the John Wick of Ancient Greece. With so many iconic roles under his belt, heading a rebel army of mutants should be a walk in the park.
It’s interesting how much of an impact Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy have had on the character that many audiences assume Professor X to be British, even though in the comics, he is very much a Yank. No reason to fix what’s been working, though, and Fiennes is best suited todeliver the kind of English upper-crust wit that audiences have become accustomed to.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
2Mark Rylance
Known For ‘Bridge of Spies’ (2015)
Speaking of English wit,Mark Rylancehas excelled in roles that call for a “keep calm” attitude in the face of danger. His authoritative presence is likely what put him in the running to play another famous fictional headmaster,Dumbledore, in the newHarry Potterseries. If the wizarding world doesn’t entice him, then Rylance would makea very fine addition to the more prestigious casting coupes of the MCU.
Professor X is more clever than the average mutant, but he never lets it show. If fans are looking for a composed and controlled portrayal, Rylance is the man to do it. Look no further than the actor’s brilliant performance inthe riveting mobster mystery ofThe Outfitto see how coolly he can pull off being ten steps ahead of everyone else in the room.
Bridge of Spies
1Giancarlo Esposito
Image via AMC
If there is one actor who fans have been clamoring for the most to take on the role of Charles Xavier, it’s the chicken czar himself,Giancarlo Esposito. Looking at his portrayal of Gus Fring inBreaking Bad, one can see all the elements that would make for an utterly compelling Professor X.He’s calm and controlled, cunning and intelligentand absolutely dominates every single interaction.
It doesn’t hurt that the actor onceopenly lobbied for the role within Marvel Studios. Lucky for him, Marvel listened, and cast him… asSidewinder in Captain America: Brave New World. Is it too much to ask thatan actor of his caliber not be wasted on a C-tier villain? It may all just be chasing rainbows at this point to wish for Esposito in the role, but maybe someday, the timelines will be restored, and a portal will open up to reveal the people’s Professor X.
Breaking Bad
NEXT:10 Actors Who Are Perfect Casting Choices for the MCU’s X-Men
