While the Fox X-Men movies could be divisive with some hits and some misses, James McAvoy had one major criticism for his role as Charles Xavier, aka Professor X. In a GQ profile, the actor talks about his issues between the relationship between his character and Magneto (Michael Fassbender).
James McAvoy took on the role in the X-Men movies starting with 2011’s First Class and continued with 2014’s Days of Future Past, 2016’s Apocalypse, and 2019’s Dark Phoenix. To him, the run was “one of the most positive experiences” he had “with a studio.” He did not view the four films as “money gigs” and called Days of Future Past “one of the better films” he has done. Still, he has issues with how things went between Professor X and Magneto.
James McAvoy on his run in the X-Men movies
The way time was played with lead to new actors taking on the same roles, like seeing James McAvoy replace Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in the X-Men movies. It started strong as First Class and Days of Future Past were commercial and critical hits. Things went downhill due to poor receptions of Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, which were major stories in the comics that were done as back-to-back films with little build-up, unlike what Marvel had done with Infinity War and Endgame.
Marvel has been quickly planting the idea of Mutants in the MCU between Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Although its focus is more on the multiverse for its latest saga, the future will be filled with Mutants soon enough. It does make people wonder who will play iconic characters like Charles Xavier, Magneto, and Wolverine. Hugh Jackman is reprising his role in Deadpool 3, but it won’t be the permanent Logan in the MCU until a new actor is cast.
James McAvoy could not avoid talking about doing more X-Men movies, but this time under Marvel Studios instead Fox. He said that he had not received any contact with Marvel Studios, not that he would say if he had any call from Kevin Feige. Fans will just have to be patient until the studio is ready to unveil who will be the next group of Mutants.
