Patrick Stewart revealed in a recent interview, that he has had extensive talks with Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige about returning as Professor X in the MCU.
One of the biggest mysteries for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is how the introduction of the X-Men and the world of mutants will be presented during this new phase of film making. The conclusion of the Infinity Saga with Avengers: Endgame, closed the chapter on an ambitious slate of 23 films that culminated in last year’s blockbuster. Additionally, Disney bought 20th Century Fox, now known as 20th Century Studios, which allowed them to reacquire the rights to both the Fantastic Four and the expansive world of the X-Men.
World-renowned actor Patrick Stewart’s (Picard) portrayal of X-Men leader, Professor Charles Xavier, remains one of the most faithful page-to-screen characterizations ever in the comic book movie genre. The acclaimed thespian has played Professor X no less than seven times on the big-screen, before “retiring” the character in 2017’s Logan.
It seems that the brain trust at Marvel Studios are building a strategy on how to integrate the X-Men’s world of mutants into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige and his team of storytellers are clearly at point where they are talking to actors and creatives about their thoughts on the future of their characters. Stewart happens to be the latest to talk shop with Feige about his iconic character and his future availability to appear in the MCU. Take a read:
I met with Kevin Feige a couple of months ago and we had long, long conversations…And there have been moves and suggestions, which include Charles Xavier.”
This news should raise the antennae of all superhero fans worldwide, but the enthusiasm might be short-lived. Stewart then explains why this team up may never be:
Here’s the problem… If we had not made Logan, then yes, I would probably be ready to get into that wheelchair one more time and be Charles Xavier. But Logan changed all that.
In the interview, Stewart went on to explain the emotional experience of screening Logan with Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman, in which they cried together during his death scene and held hands during the film’s finale. The actor reveals that Logan gave him a sense of closure and inner-peace with playing the role and while he still appreciates the character, there’s no more story left for him to explore personally.
