X-Men's New MCU Casting Report Details Actors Who Auditioned For Professor X
The MCU's X-Men reboot is on its way to finding the new Professor X.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding who will take on the role of Professor X. Bill Skarsgård has been mentioned repeatedly in some reports, though nothing has been officially confirmed. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, a new report reveals that Christopher Abbott and Tom Pelphrey have both auditioned for the part.
However, insider claims have stated that Pelphrey, who is known for HBO's Task and Prime Video's Outer Range, is no longer under consideration to play Charles Xavier. But there is no word on whether Abbott, a Tony Award-nominated Broadway star known for his role in Death of a Salesman, is still in the race or if he has been cast already. And Marvel Studios has yet to confirm anything.
Aside from Pelphrey and Abbott having auditioned for Professor X, another huge rumor that has been spreading for quite some time is that Skarsgård was up for the role, too. Marvel has not confirmed that the actor is involved at the time of this article's publication. However, multiple reports from industry insiders have linked Skarsgård to the project as the studio searches for the new generation's version of the iconic character.
For now, Skarsgård’s potential involvement is still pure speculation. Until Marvel Studios publicly unveils its Professor X or more definitive information emerges, it remains unclear whether the actor is just one of several candidates who have been discussed, if he has moved further along in the casting process, or if it's all just a hoax.
Professor X is one of Marvel's most important mutant characters. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Xavier made his debut in The X-Men #1 in 1963 and went on to become the founder and mentor of the iconic titular team, which has gone on to become one of Marvel's most popular franchises.
For the majority of Xavier's history, he has held the belief that humans and mutants should be able to live together peacefully. However, later comic book storylines saw his priorities evolve as mutantkind established its own nation on Krakoa and the tension between mutants and humanity began to escalate.
There is no official release date for the MCU's X-Men reboot at the time of this article's publication. However, insiders have claimed that Marvel Studios is targeting a 2028 debut.