- Laurence Fishburne has publicly expressed his strong desire to be cast as the MCU’s new Professor Charles Xavier.
- His motivation is deeply personal, stemming from being a lifelong Marvel comics fan since the age of six.
- The actor believes the iconic role is the most appropriate for him at his current age and fits his acting profile.
- Fishburne even expressed enthusiasm for potentially bringing back Professor X’s classic, uniquely shaped eyebrows from the comic books.
Laurence Fishburne Wants to Lead the MCU’s X-Men
Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne, a fan-favorite for his roles in The Matrix and John Wick, has set his sights on a monumental role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite already playing Dr. Bill Foster (Goliath) in Ant-Man and the Wasp, Fishburne has officially thrown his hat into the ring to play the next Professor Charles Xavier in the MCU’s highly anticipated X-Men reboot.
A Dream Rooted in True Fandom
In a recent exclusive interview, Fishburne revealed that his ambition to play the powerful mutant leader isn’t just about landing another blockbuster role; it’s a dream rooted in decades of genuine Marvel fandom. His connection to the material is something fans will undoubtedly appreciate.
“I am a true believer in terms of the Marvel space,” Fishburne explained. “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.”
He added that while there were many characters he wished he could have played in his youth, he feels Professor X is the perfect fit for him right now. “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,” he stated. “And for the kind of roles that I am known for. It feels like it would be fit for me. So that’s why.”
A Classic Look for a New Professor?
When asked if he would consider adopting the character’s iconic, oddly shaped eyebrows from the classic comics, Fishburne’s response was a dream for purists. He laughed and 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 the X-Men in the MCU
The role of Professor X has been memorably portrayed by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy on the big screen. While Stewart is rumored to return for Avengers: Doomsday, the primary role in the MCU’s own X-Men franchise remains one of the most coveted and speculated-about parts in Hollywood. Marvel Studios has confirmed an X-Men film is in development, set to be helmed by Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier, but details remain scarce. With an actor of Fishburne’s caliber and passion actively campaigning for the part, Marvel now has a Grade-A talent knocking at its door, leaving fans everywhere to wonder if they’ll answer the call.
Image Referance: https://comicbook.com/movies/news/laurence-fishburne-reveals-why-he-wants-to-play-the-mcus-professor-x-and-marvel-fans-will-love-it/