A Former MCU Star Wants To Play This Iconic X-Men Character, And We’re All In

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The mutants first seen in Marvel movies made by Fox are coming back to theaters in the 2026 film *Avengers: Doomsday*, and it could be a significant event. However, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has hinted that these classic characters will be reimagined with new actors. One experienced comic book movie actor has already expressed interest in being part of this new direction.

At New York Comic Con, Laurence Fishburne said he’d be interested in playing Professor Charles Xavier if the X-Men were rebooted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During a panel with his *The Matrix* co-star, Joe Pantoliano, host Josh Horowitz asked the 64-year-old actor about roles he’d love to play, and Fishburne shared his enthusiasm for the part.

I’ve heard people are discussing the X-Men, and I’m curious to get your opinion on something. What do you think about Laurence Fishburne playing Professor X?

Patrick Stewart’s performance as the mind-reading Professor X is considered iconic, much like Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine. However, the crowd at New York Comic Con enthusiastically cheered when they heard he would be reprising the role of the X-Men’s founder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

If Laurence Fishburne were to play Professor X, it wouldn’t be his first role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. He previously appeared in 2018’s *Ant-Man and the Wasp* as Dr. Bill Foster, an old colleague of Dr. Hank Pym who eventually helps Ava Starr, also known as Ghost. Fishburne is an Academy Award nominee, recognized for his performance as Ike Turner in the 1993 film *What’s Love Got to Do with It*.

He wouldn’t be the first actor to play multiple roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Several actors have done this before, like Sean Gunn, who portrays both Rocket Raccoon (using performance capture) and Kraglin in the *Guardians of the Galaxy* films, and Robert Downey Jr., who is reprising his role in the MCU as Doctor Doom in *Avengers: Doomsday*. Similarly, Fishburne is just the latest MCU actor to express interest in taking on a new character, following comments from a fellow *Ant-Man* star last October.

Laurence Fishburne’s Multiple Comic Book Movie Universes

Laurence Fishburne’s work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t his first or last time appearing in a comic book movie. Before playing a role in *Ant-Man and the Wasp*, he had already revisited his part as Perry White, the editor-in-chief of *The Daily Planet*, in *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*.

Laurence Fishburne is no stranger to superhero roles. He voiced the Silver Surfer in the 2007 *Fantastic Four* movie, even before the Marvel Cinematic Universe began. If he were cast as Professor X, it would actually be his third role in the MCU! He’s already lent his voice to Disney Channel’s *Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur*, where he played both Bill Foster again and a character called the Beyonder – and he also served as an executive producer on that show.

Laurence Fishburne has a strong history with comic book movies, notably playing iconic roles like Morpheus in *The Matrix* and Ronald Noland in *Predators*. Even without those roles, he’s already one of the most frequent actors in comic book films. So, why not add to his impressive resume by casting him as Professor X in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

X-Men is streaming on Disney+.

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2025-10-18 16:08