Key Takeaways:
– James McAvoy hopes to explore the evil side of Professor X in a possible X-Men reboot.
– McAvoy believes Marvel Studios has a lot in store for the character.
– In the past, Marvel comics have actually portrayed an evil iteration of Professor X.
James McAvoy Ponders Bad Boy Turn for Professor X
Renowned Scottish actor James McAvoy, who delighted Marvel fans with his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in 2011's X-Men: First Class, has expressed a wish for a unique spin on the character. How about Professor X turning to the dark side? In a recent interview, McAvoy teased the possibility of delving into Professor X's wicked side should he reprise the role on the silver screen.
Imagining a Darker Side of Professor X
During his interaction with Collider at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, McAvoy shared his desire to expose the possible villainous aspect of Charles Xavier. He enthusiastically stated, “You'd love to make him go AWOL. There's tons you can do with that character.” He believes that Marvel Studios will not shy away from exploring these uncharted territories of the character.
Open to Reinterpretation, but Cautious of Moving On
Screen Rant's recent interaction with the actor shed more light on his intentions. Asked about his readiness to return to the role, McAvoy was clear, “If I'm going to go back and play a character I've already played, I would want it to be a new, different reinterpretation or newly explored version.” Yet, he feels that the studio might be planning to present a fresh face for the role, joking, “they're moving on, they're doing new things.” Nevertheless, the actor is ready for talks should the script make sense.
Does Professor X Ever Turn Evil? A Look at the Comics
The idea of a villainous Charles Xavier might seem far-fetched. But, hold onto your seats, Marvel fans, because this isn't entirely new territory. In Immoral X-Men #1, the character undergoes a chilling transformation. Sinister, a notorious villain, infects the Quiet Council with his own DNA, which ultimately morphs Xavier into an evil figure controlling ruthless and immoral mutants.
This evil incarnation of Xavier isn't exactly a new personality, but rather an unveiling of the darkness that's always been within him. Shattering his pretense of morality, the infection unveiled a different side to Professor X, which might be the spark that interests McAvoy to reprise his role and bring this unique version of Professor X to life in MCU's anticipated X-Men reboot.
A Dark Twist that Could Bring Box Office Gold
With moderate performances from titles like Eternals and The Marvels, Marvel Studios could do with a sure-fire hit. An X-Men reboot exploring a darker version of Professor X may just be the precise twist to regenerate the fan enthusiasm, and thus, box office earnings.
Relive X-Men: First Class, where it all began for James McAvoy's Charles Xavier, available now on Disney+. Who knows, we might soon see him walking the darker path in Marvel's much-awaited X-Men reboot and captivating our imaginations just as he did the first time around.
