Who could play theMCU ’s new Professor X ? TheX - Menare coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe , and with them , their leader and mentor , the telepath Charles Xavier . When Kevin Feige , Marvel Studio head , first uttered the Holy Writ " mutants " at   Disney ’s D23 conventionality in 2019 , XTC - Men fans were filled with hullabaloo at the potential for a Modern era feature this " hated and fear " superpowered team .

Prior to the completion of the Disney - Fox merger , which will see theX - Men   and the Fantastic Four   join the MCU , mutants have been exhibit various forms of cinematic superheroism since the Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart led decade - Men motion-picture show , issue in 2000 . Lauded for its initial contribution to the burst of the superhero musical genre and the attendant   commercial-grade   success of comic Holy Writ generator material , the Fox - produced franchise attracted decisive acclaim for former entree , particularly the first two film and laterLogan . But thenthe serial publication see a conflict in finding its footing at times . With last year ’s unsuccessfulDark Phoenix , seemingly a send - off for the Fox looping of characters , and the much plagued and already - malignedNew Mutantsoffering an unfortunate footer , a wise start in the MCU is necessitate .

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x-men’s cyclops with spider-man and captain marvel-1

Since this dealership seems poised for reinvention , much conversation has been had regarding the cast of X - Men leader Professor X , who was portray in the Fox serial by both Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy while steering unclouded ofProfessor X ’s more morally challenging side . Both superb actors in their own right , Stewart and McAvoy were capable to turn in thoughtful performances , even within some of the series ' less satisfying ingress . But who can follow in their pace as the MCU ’s Professor X ?

David Oyelowo

Much speculation on the role has circle around this British - American actor who , like Stewart before him , has a story with Shakespeare and classical theatre , which for sure would number in handy when limn a character with such dignity . The young of the suggestion here , David Oyewolo has previously starred in the critically hail BBCLes Miserablesminiseries as well as Disney’sQueen of Katwe .

However , it is   Oyewolo ’s portrayal of Martin Luther King , Jr. inSelma -the worker ’s high - visibility role to date - that could prove particularly relevant to Charles Xavier . The tardy Stan Lee , author , and co - creator of the X - humankind , has been on platter stating inspiration for   X - Men find origins in the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties with Magneto inspired by Malcolm X and Charles Xavier breathe in by Martin Luther King . While it may be   a bit on - the - olfactory organ to redact Oyelowo in a role originally inspired by the real - animation chassis behind his most celebrated role , the creators behind the MCU may choose to capitalize on that history and rather meta connection . to boot , it must be noted that , since Charles ( and Erik ) are presented in the comic books as white serviceman , the decisiveness to cast more bleak actors in key roles may help oneself to not only branch out the X - valet but to more respectfully bear court to the intent of the original comics .

Jeremy Irons

This well - established English star ofThe Borgiasand HBO ’s risk - taking and highly acclaimedWatchmenserieswould bring a different spin to the mind - read mutant . Known for his careful case work and for turn in some performances which depict , at meter , shrewd and connive men , Iron ’s Xavier could search the character ’s more unethical ( some might say " nefarious " ) behaviour .

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In the comics , Professor X is often present as a character blessed with great world power and influence , sometimes sacrificing others for the greater trade good . Irons , who played the sociopathicOzymandias inWatchmencan give off the aura of a skilled yet ward chess master who , despite his proclaimed bond to those around him , represent in cold blood without hesitation for his desire outcome . cast Jeremy Irons would likely lead to a darker and more   morally equivocal   portrayal of Charles , the likes of which have yet to be interpret in live - activeness X - Men but which would surely make for some interesting character dynamics and he would be a welcome addition to the MCU .

Comic book art: 1990s X-Men, with Cyclops front and center, surrounded by characters including Storm, Gambit, and more.

Giancarlo Esposito

Speaking of doer known for their villainous portrayals , histrion Giancarlo Esposito - known for his chilling performance as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and thedarksaber - wield Moff Gideon in Disney+ ’s The Mandalorian- would be another great pick for Professor X. The Danish - born American doer is an incredibly gifted actor and it is high metre that he played a go role in a big funny book dealership .

Like Irons , Esposito is capable of displaying some of Xavier ’s murkier traits , but   with calmer undertones .   Esposito would certainly impart to living a Charles ' unremitting calculation and intense determination , conceal behind a passably genial exterior . If the MCU undertake to bring the recent Jonathan Hickman - lead X - Men run , which depicts a mutant utopia in whichProfessor Xhas engineer a system in which all mutation are able to be resurrected with the aid of cloning and a Cerebro that act like   an iCloud of mutant memories , Esposito experience of playing the Isle of Man in mastery ( for ripe or for worse ) would make for a outstanding choice .

Ralph Fiennes

Another English doer with a proclivity for Shakespeare and the classics , Ralph Fiennes would be another strong contender for the character of Professor X. Widely acknowledge for his depiction of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter serial publication , as well as his   incarnation   of M in the post - SkyfallJames adhesion movie , after the007 serial killed off Judy Dench ’s M , the actor is notable for his large acting kitchen range , showcasing ability to wrench in both wild and moderate public presentation - both of which are certainly valuable within the confines of the MCU .

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On this leaning , Fiennes is perhaps the biggest wildcard . His reassuring on - screen presence and history in playing   authoritative roles , as in the Bond film , would allow for other 10 - Men to take the level without necessarily taking off from the gibbosity of his character . And if the new architects of the X - Men choose to give Charles a more nefarious bent mid - serial publication , Ralph Fienneshas proven that he is more than game to tap into darker , more antagonistic head - spaces .

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Mark Strong

Kingsmanactor Mark Strong is no stranger to funny al-Qur’an movie , having appear in Kick - Ass , Green Lantern , and theDCEU’sShazam!While he played each of those picture ' antagonists ,   he has proved himself to be another worker capable of corking range and particularly sinewy energy that would lend itself to the MCU very well .   Based on his portrayal of Merlin in theKingsmenseries , Mark Strong   could also play Charles Xavier as a   wise man figure in the X - Men dealership , a position very much in telephone circuit with the grapheme ’s original portraying .

Strong ’s commanding mien and flourishing interpreter would be helpful in presenting Xavier as a teacher , exchangeable to his former show in the comics , where Xavier contribute a minuscule group ofX - Men including Cyclops , Marvel Girl , Iceman , Beast , and Angle , designing recitation and technical school to take them in the use of their ability . open of limn both tough love and a point of empathy for his trainee might add a nice stage of nuance to the character .

Courtney B. Vance

A farsighted - metre histrion within theLaw and Orderuniverse and an Emmy winner for his performance as Johnnie Cochran inThe People v. O.J. Simpson , the commanding Courtney B. Vance would make for another warm Xavier candidate . With his married woman Angela Bassett already a part of the MCU thanks to her role as Queen Ramonda   inBlack Panther-   there could be something of a family reunion .

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With his acquirement as a cracking orator and leaning for win over others even without the assistance of Xavier’smind dominance , Vance would be especially fit to a Professor X go the conversation between mutant - human sexual relation . If Xavier , hoping to chip at out a place for mutants in a world that " hates and fears " them , take some sort of political part   to deal with the emergence of his superpowered brothers and sisters , Courtney B. Vance would certainly be the serviceman for the job . He is another slap-up actor who , despite consistent and compelling performances , has never made his means into a large dealership film , and it would be marvelous to watch Vance   sink his teeth into such a complex role .

Giancarlo Esposito Professor X

While this article list just a few possible option for theMCU ’s recast version of Professor X , each could bring intensity level and skill to the operation . Since so little is known of how and when mutants will make their mode into the Marvel Cinematic Universe , the eventual molding of the X - Men and , specially , their psychical   founder will surely help to reveal the direction and overall trajectory of the Feige - led reboot . Hopefully , he and the MCU creators will help mold a newfangled direction for mutant ; one that manages to update the series and its mutant metaphor , all the while paying homage to central chemical element of theX - Mencomics .

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David Oyelowo

Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt Ozymandias in Watchmen

Giancarlo Esposito in Breaking Bad

Ralph Fiennes Kingmsn

Mark Strong as Merlin in Kingsman The Golden Circle

Courtney B. Vance looking serious in the People vs OJ

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