As Marvel Studios prepares for the eventual recasting of the X-Men, two former stars from the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise, Elliot Page and James McAvoy, have shared their thoughts on the future of the iconic superhero team. The duo, who portrayed Kitty Pryde and Professor Charles Xavier, respectively, were asked about Marvel’s plans for recasting during a panel at New York Comic Con on Sunday.
What Marvel’s Kevin Feige Said About Recasting the X-Men
Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, previously revealed that the X-Men will eventually be recast following the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. This announcement came with the anticipation of an upcoming X-Men film directed by Jake Schreier, which will introduce a fresh take on the beloved team of super-powered mutants.
The idea of recasting certain iconic characters, including Professor X and Kitty Pryde, has generated much speculation. During the panel, moderator Josh Horowitz asked Page and McAvoy for their thoughts on the potential successors for their roles. Feige’s remarks about the future casting choices have included rumored names such as Colman Domingo and Bella Ramsey, sparking discussion within the fandom.
Elliot Page’s Support for a New Take on the X-Men
Page, who portrayed Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), expressed enthusiasm about the future recasting, noting that while he doesn’t follow casting rumors closely, he would be excited to see fresh takes on these characters.
“I mean, yes, absolutely,” Page said when asked about the potential recasting. “It’d be just so exciting to see people do a take on a new iteration [of X-Men].”
For Page, the idea of passing the mantle to new actors is thrilling, as it opens the door to different interpretations of well-established characters in the franchise. While he might not be as involved in the casting process, his support for the direction Marvel is taking is clear.
James McAvoy’s Thoughts on Colman Domingo as Professor X
McAvoy, who portrayed the younger Charles Xavier in the X-Men prequels, also voiced his excitement about the future of the franchise and the idea of Domingo taking over the role of the telepathic founder of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
“I’m excited to see what happens next,” McAvoy shared. “I was a fan before I was an employee and I’ll be a fan again!” McAvoy expressed admiration for Colman Domingo, who is rumored to be among the potential candidates for the role of Professor X. “Colman Domingo sounds amazing, though!” McAvoy added.
While McAvoy seemed to be thrilled about the future of the X-Men, he also joked about the pressure that comes with inheriting such iconic roles, acknowledging the high expectations fans have when it comes to casting decisions.
The Future of Wolverine: Hugh Jackman’s Unmatched Legacy
Both Page and McAvoy joked about one actor who may never be replaced in the X-Men universe: Hugh Jackman, who portrayed Wolverine in numerous films spanning over 17 years. McAvoy humorously suggested that even in the future, when artificial intelligence could potentially take over acting roles, Jackman would still be playing Wolverine.
“I was gonna say, 10 years from now — it’s probably gonna be 10 minutes from now — when A.I. has taken over and playing all the roles, and there are no actors anymore, he will still be playing Wolverine,” McAvoy quipped, with Page adding in agreement, “Even A.I. will be like, ‘Nah, he got it!’”
It’s clear that both Page and McAvoy hold a deep respect for Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine, acknowledging the profound impact the actor’s performance has had on the character and the franchise as a whole.
The Upcoming X-Men Film and What to Expect
Marvel Studios has been steadily integrating the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger. Feige announced that the X-Men will be part of the MCU’s future, starting with Jake Schreier’s X-Men film, which will mark a “youth-focused reboot” of the mutant team.
Feige has also expressed his excitement for the film, emphasizing that it will explore complex material related to the X-Men’s internal struggles and identity issues. “The core of what the X-Men is involves complexity,” said Schreier, noting that the film will delve into themes of self-identity, place in the world, and the internal conflict that makes these characters so fascinating.
Returning X-Men Actors and the MCU Connection
Before the new X-Men cast is officially introduced, many of the original X-Men actors will return for a final appearance in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. James Marsden (Cyclops), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), and Kelsey Grammer (Beast) are all confirmed to reprise their roles in the highly anticipated film. Channing Tatum, who played Gambit in Deadpool 2, will also get a chance to join the X-Men team.
These familiar faces will help officially bridge the gap between the Fox X-Men universe and the MCU, as they continue to make appearances, such as Stewart’s alternate-dimension Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Grammer’s Beast in a post-credits scene for The Marvels.
Closing Line
As the future of the X-Men continues to unfold in the MCU, both Page and McAvoy seem excited about the new directions the franchise is taking, while still honoring the legacy of the characters they portrayed. Fans can look forward to a fresh iteration of the X-Men, filled with complexity, new actors, and perhaps even a few familiar faces. This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
