James McAvoy to play young Professor X in X-Men: First Class

by Ben Pearson on May 28, 2010 · 8 comments

McAvoy Professor X

Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn has secured his spot in the director’s chair for the upcoming X-Men: First Class film, beating out the likes of David Slade, Louis Leterrier, Jonathan Mostow, Carl Erik Rinsch, and more. Now he’s found his young Professor Charles Xavier in Wanted star James McAvoy.

X-Men and X2 director Bryan Singer was originally intended to direct First Class, but had to settle for a producer title since he’ll be directing Jack the Giant Killer instead. There have been rumors of Singer casting both films at the same time, but now we have our first official casting announcement.

Heat Vision brings the plot summary from Fox:

[X-Men: First Class will] chart the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were the closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.

X-Men: First Class is set for release on June 3rd, 2011. What are your thoughts about McAvoy taking over from Sir Patrick Stewart?

  • Mark

    I think he would have made a much better Magneto instead, but James is a highly talented guy, and I think, pending on who Magneto turns out to be, he could play the role with some good chemistry. Its a hard position to cast people as a young Patrick Stewart and Ian Mckellan,

    • thecupcakerogues

      Agreed – he would've been a better Magneto. He's also kind of too young – he's 30. Unless they're changing this to an X-Babies movie, they should be getting someone around 40 to play a Professor X to a late teen/early 20s X-Men team.

  • Mark

    I think he would have made a much better Magneto instead, but James is a highly talented guy, and I think, pending on who Magneto turns out to be, he could play the role with some good chemistry. Its a hard position to cast people as a young Patrick Stewart and Ian Mckellan,

    • thecupcakerogues

      Agreed – he would've been a better Magneto. He's also kind of too young – he's 30. Unless they're changing this to an X-Babies movie, they should be getting someone around 40 to play a Professor X to a late teen/early 20s X-Men team.

  • http://twitter.com/New_Magneto @New_Magneto

    My dream is to play the young Magneto (25 years)! Please, tell me as I write a film director Matthew Vaughn! The role of the young Magneto created for me! You can find me here! http://twitter.com/New_Magneto

  • http://twitter.com/New_Magneto @New_Magneto

    My dream is to play the young Magneto (25 years)! Please, tell me as I write a film director Matthew Vaughn! The role of the young Magneto created for me! You can find me here! http://twitter.com/New_Magneto

  • http://twitter.com/New_Magneto A.B. New Magneto

    I approve of the choice of James McAvoy for the role of Professor X! This is the same guy directed by Timur Bekmambetov of the “Wanted”! Good choice! Well, and I like Magneto long awaiting to Enter!

  • http://twitter.com/New_Magneto A.B. New Magneto

    I approve of the choice of James McAvoy for the role of Professor X! This is the same guy directed by Timur Bekmambetov of the “Wanted”! Good choice! Well, and I like Magneto long awaiting to Enter!