Doomsday reveals that Sir Patrick Stewart will once again play Professor Charles Xavier. This means he’ll be joining other actors who played X-Men characters during the Fox era, such as Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, and James Marsden. For fans who have been following the story for a long time, this blend of Fox mutants with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is both thrilling and a bit worrisome. Professor X has died on screen three times since 2006, with each death becoming increasingly graphic. Since Marvel is planning to introduce its own MCU X-Men with newer actors, Doomsday seems to be a bridge between the two franchises. The studio now must make an important decision: either kill off Professor X again to set up the threat level of Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) or come up with a more creative ending that matches Stewart’s iconic 24-year portrayal of the character.
Stewart’s portrayal of Xavier in the films significantly contributed to the acceptance of superhero movies as mature and thought-provoking cinema before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became popular. His character added philosophical depth and moral weight to a genre that was often seen as mere entertainment for children. The seriousness of Xavier’s death scenes made them particularly poignant. In X-Men: The Last Stand, directed by Brett Ratner, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) destroyed Xavier at the molecular level while he tried to control her Phoenix powers. This scene set a standard, showing the uncontainable power of the Phoenix. Essentially, if she could kill such a powerful telepath as Xavier, no one was invulnerable.
James Mangold’s movie Logan intensified Xavier’s demise into genuine emotional turmoil by basing it on human fragility instead of spectacular supernatural events. The film takes place in a dismal future where mutants are nearing extinction, portraying a 90-year-old Xavier struggling with a neurodegenerative disease that made his telepathic powers unmanageable and potentially dangerous. X-24, a clone of Logan (played by Hugh Jackman), fatally attacks Xavier under the assumption that he’s revealing his deepest secrets to an old friend. This death conveyed profound sorrow through its personal context and Xavier’s misunderstanding about the true identity of his attacker, signifying the permanent goodbye for this timeline’s depiction of the character.
Following Disney’s purchase of Fox, Marvel Studios decided to incorporate Professor X (Xavier) into the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Director Sam Raimi introduced an Xavier from an alternate universe (similar to the 1990s animated series) as a member of Earth-838’s Illuminati. However, things took a dark turn when the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) dismantled Xavier’s psychic essence within Wanda’s mental landscape. This scene echoed the “powerful woman in red killing Xavier” trope from “The Last Stand,” but with increased graphic violence. This scene highlighted how Xavier’s demise has shifted from significant character moments to mere villain introduction.
Avengers: Doomsday Shouldn’t Kill Professor X
With Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of Doctor Doom in the MCU, Marvel is under significant pressure to firmly establish his villainous character traits swiftly. A straightforward method might involve showing Doom mercilessly eliminating Xavier at an early stage in “Doomsday,” demonstrating his power. However, this route could potentially dishonor the character’s history and undermine the audience’s perception. Instead, Marvel can surprise viewers by crafting a more profound ending for one of superhero cinema’s longest-lasting characters, deviating from conventional expectations.
In the movies like Loki and other multiverse films from Marvel, it’s shown that Incursions take place when barriers between different universes are broken, threatening to wipe out entire realities. This setup offers an excellent chance to highlight Professor Xavier’s leadership skills. Instead of perishing, he might assemble a psychic network spanning the multiverse, offering guidance to both heroes and civilians during this crisis. By doing so, his abilities would be showcased at their maximum capacity while also upholding his long-standing values of protection and education.
A fulfilling conclusion might recognize the larger storyline (meta-narrative) at work, as the Fox X-Men actors wrap up their film adventures, making way for Marvel’s fresh versions. Charles Xavier could understand the need for a universe change without being overcome by it, perhaps passing on his wisdom and experience to his MCU counterpart. This method would maintain the character’s autonomy while marking the end of one chapter and the start of another, offering emotional release for long-term fans.
Kevin Feige has announced that the era of mutants is set to arrive in the MCU, marking a substantial shift in how X-Men characters are depicted. The way Marvel tackles these iconic characters will demonstrate whether they truly grasp what has captivated audiences about the X-Men for more than two decades. Given that Patrick Stewart’s Professor Xavier has died on screen no less than three times, it seems plausible that Marvel’s renowned imagination could devise a more fitting finale for this character.
On May 1, 2026, the movie “Avengers: Doomsday” will be released in theaters, and two years later, on May 7, 2027, “Avengers: Secret Wars” will follow suit.
Inquiries about what may transpire with Professor X in “Avengers: Doomsday” are welcome! Feel free to share your thoughts and theories on the subject in the comments below.
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2025-03-29 20:11