Besides Wolverine himself, there’s arguably no X-Men character more iconic than the team’s founder and mentor, Professor Charles Xavier — better known as Professor X. As such, it’s appropriate that Professor X was the first X-Men character to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Indeed, fans were delighted to see Professor X make a brief appearance in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati of Earth-838, played once again by Sir Patrick Stewart. But after being killed off for the fourth time, it’s unlikely that there will be another reprisal of Stewart’s Xavier once the X-Men finally appear on Earth-616. So, the question remains: which actor will be chosen to bring the MCU’s Professor X to life? Even with the rumor that Giancarlo Esposito is currently in the running (and would likely be a great fit), there are some other talented actors that could fill the role as well.
James McAvoy
The most obvious candidate to replace Patrick Stewart as Professor X is, of course, the man who’s done it once already. James McAvoy first portrayed Charles Xavier over a decade ago in 2011’s X-Men: First Class, and his performance was considered one of the highlights of the film. McAvoy’s Xavier may not be quite as beloved as Stewart’s, but he’s still seen as a worthy successor by many Marvel fans. And after bringing back one previous Professor X for the MCU, it stands to reason that the other will follow suit.
Of course, a one-off cameo is a much different matter than becoming a major player in the ongoing story of the MCU. McAvoy played Professor X four times in the 2010s, so it’s possible that he’d prefer to leave the role in the past. Alternatively, Marvel Studios could choose to cast a new actor in order to help differentiate the MCU’s X-Men from the 20th Century Fox films. But in the event that James McAvoy does end up returning to the role of Charles Xavier, there will be plenty of fans delighted to see him again.
Mark Strong
Alternatively, Marvel Studios might go for Hollywood’s other favorite bald-headed Englishman — Mark Strong, quite possibly one of the finest character actors working today. No stranger to the superhero genre, Strong acted opposite Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan as Sinistero in Green Lantern, and more recently appeared as Dr. Sivana in Shazam! But aside from that, he’s been in everything from the Kingsman series to Sherlock Holmes to Cruella.
Strong is an actor of incredible range and versatility, capable of portraying both diabolical villains and kindhearted heroes with ease. In other words, he has the talent and charisma needed to capture the essence of a nuanced, larger-than-life character like Professor X. Plus, it helps that he already looks the part, and has a great voice to boot. If he isn’t too busy over at DC, he’d surely make a brilliant Charles Xavier.
Stanley Tucci
Here’s a fun fact: despite being depicted as English in most adaptations following Patrick Stewart’s portrayal, Charles Xavier is actually American in the comics. As such, it’s possible that Marvel Studios will seek an American actor for the character, both to stay more accurate to the comics and to differentiate this new Professor X from his live action predecessors. And when it comes to bald American actors who can play a great mentor, the MCU already has someone who fits the bill — Stanley Tucci.
Indeed, Tucci already portrayed Dr. Abraham Erskine in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. As such, it may feel a bit too on the nose to cast him as another Marvel mentor. However, several actors have already pulled double duty on MCU roles, from Gemma Chan to Mahershala Ali. And since Erskine’s been dead since his debut movie, it’s unlikely that anyone will be confusing the two roles. If Tucci is open to returning to the MCU, there’s a place for him at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters.
Bryan Craston
Speaking of bald American actors, Bryan Cranston is one of the most high-profile actors out there who has yet to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Best known for his turn as Walter White in Breaking Bad, Cranston has plenty of experience playing complicated father figures. But while he’s more famous these days for his dramatic roles, Cranston has also starred in the likes of Godzilla, Power Rangers, and Kung Fu Panda 3, so he’s no stranger to mainstream franchise films. So in the event that he decides to commit to a major MCU role, he’d make an incredible Professor X.
Jordan Peele
For the past few years, there have been persistent rumors floating around that Marvel Studios plans to cast Black actors as both Magneto and Professor X. And while these rumors are yet to be verified, they haven’t been disproved either. So in the event that the MCU does indeed introduce a Black Xavier, Jordan Peele could very well be a perfect fit for the role.
Peele is best known for his sketch comedy background and his directorial efforts with Get Out, Us, and most recently Nope. But while he’s preferred being behind the camera to in front of it for the past few years, his role hosting the recent revival of The Twilight Zone shows that he has the gravitas and sophistication needed for a character like Professor X. So if he’s willing to join the MCU, Peele could quite possibly make an excellent Charles Xavier.