See Mark Strong As X-Men’s New Professor X
While it’s unclear when we’ll see the X-Men, one artist has made their own interpretation of Mark Strong as X-Men leader, Charles Xavier.
This article is more than 2 years old
With Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe planned to begin next month with the Disney+ premiere of WandaVision, one of the biggest questions going forward is if we will see any X-Men in the near future. This next phase will include six films and eight different television series, so there are more opportunities than ever for our favorite mutants to appear. While it’s unclear when we’ll see the X-Men, or who will play them, one artist has made their own interpretation of what he thinks Mark Strong would look like as X-Men leader, Charles Xavier.
Malcolm Kenneth, a digital arts student showcasing his work on Instagram, has already presented a drawing of what Better Call Saul’s Giancarlo Esposito would look like as Magneto, and Armie Hammer as Cyclops. Kenneth has also visualized Mark Strong as Xavier, dressed in a blue suit with waves emanating from his head. However, it also does just sort of look like Mark Strong in a suit with a hand added beside his head, with little to show that it is actually Charles Xavier.
While Marvel and Disney haven’t said which X-Men will appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s a safe bet to say Professor Xavier will make the cut. Considering the X-Men were formed at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, and the “X” in the name is a direct reference to Xavier, it’s hard to imagine the X-Men showing up without Xavier by their side. If Xavier does appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mark Strong wouldn’t be a bad choice for the role.
Charles Xavier has also been a major part of all previous X-Men films, with Patrick Stewart beginning the role in 2000’s X-Men, and appearing in seven movies as the character, concluding with 2017’s Logan. James McAvoy would also take on the role in the prequel film series, which began with 2011’s X-Men: First Class. McAvoy would play Xavier in four films, with his most recent appearance occurring in 2019’s Dark Phoenix. Mark Strong would be in good company with these other actors.
Mark Strong has already had quite the history with superhero films, so it’s clear he’s not averse to this type of film. In 2011, Strong played Sinestro in Ryan Reynold’s Green Lantern. Strong would play yet another DC villain in 2019’s Shazam!, where he appeared as Doctor Sivana. In addition to these two DC films, Strong has also been a major part of the Kingsman series, based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. In that series, Strong played Merlin in 2015’s Kingsman: The Secret Service and 2017’s Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
If Mark Strong did play Charles Xavier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it would be his first superhero role as a hero and outside the DC Universe. Plus, Strong has already worked with Disney on their upcoming Cruella film, slated for release in 2021, so it doesn’t seem a stretch for him to continue working with the company. When Marvel does decide who should take on the role after Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy, maybe they should consider Mark Strong.
