Hold onto your seats, True Believers! Laurence Fishburne, already an MCU veteran, is making a strong case for why he should lead the X-Men as Professor X in Marvel's upcoming reboot.
TL;DR
- Laurence Fishburne, known for roles like Morpheus and Bill Foster (Goliath) in the MCU, wants to play Professor X.
- He feels his age and acting experience make him the "most appropriate" fit for the iconic X-Men leader.
- Despite Patrick Stewart returning as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday (2026), a post-Secret Wars (2027) MCU "reset" could open the door for Fishburne in the new X-Men movie.
Laurence Fishburne has been a fixture in some of the biggest franchises around, from The Matrix to John Wick, and he even dipped his toes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr. Bill Foster, aka Goliath, in 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp (and later in a voice role for What If...?). But it seems his MCU journey might not be over yet, because the seasoned actor has his sights set on a much bigger, more iconic role: Professor Charles Xavier.
Fishburne, who is 64, recently shared his dream with ComicBook.com and ScreenRant, explaining why he feels he’s the perfect fit to lead Marvel's new X-Men team. And honestly, when Morpheus speaks, we listen!
Laurence Fishburne publicly pitched himself for the MCU's Professor X at NYCC 2025! Find out why the Matrix star would be an incredible Charles Xavier for the X-Men reboot and what it means for the MCU's future.
Why the Time is Right for Laurence Fishburne to Play Professor X
So, why Professor X? For Fishburne, it’s all about timing and his extensive career. He believes his current age and the types of powerful, wise roles he’s known for align perfectly with the X-Men's telepathic founder.
"Professor X, at the moment, is, I feel, the most appropriate character for me to play at the age that I am at this point. And for the kind of roles that I am known for. It feels like it would be fit for me. So that’s why."
— Laurence Fishburne, via ComicBook.comIt's a pretty strong argument, considering his gravitas in legendary roles like Morpheus in The Matrix and even his turn as Perry White in DC's Man of Steel. He’s got that authoritative, mentor-like presence down cold.
Laurence Fishburne is openly campaigning to play Professor X in the MCU's X-Men reboot! Find out why fans are excited and what this could mean for the future of mutants in Marvel.
A Lifelong "True Believer" in the Marvel Universe
Fishburne's passion for Marvel isn't some newfound Hollywood trend; it runs deep. He's been a fan since childhood, growing up with the comics in New York City.
"I am a true believer in terms of the Marvel space. Whether it’s Marvel comic books or the MCU. I was reading comic books at the age of six in New York City, and those writers and those artists were talking about things that were happening in the city that I was growing up in. So, of course, there are many characters in the Marvel Universe that I related to that I wished I could have played when I was younger. But I’m very, very pleased with the way that the movies have been cast. I’m very, very pleased with the way that they have played out. I’m a huge fan of all of those movies."
— Laurence Fishburne, via ComicBook.comThis kind of genuine love for the source material could bring an incredible layer of authenticity to Professor X. Plus, he's already familiar with being part of the Marvel machine, which certainly doesn't hurt his chances!
Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne explains his lifelong Marvel fandom and why he's perfect to play Professor X in the upcoming X-Men reboot, despite already being in the MCU. Get the details!
The MCU's X-Men Reboot: What We Know About the Future of Mutants
Alright, so we know Fishburne wants the role, but what's actually happening with the X-Men in the MCU? It's a bit of a complicated, multi-timeline situation right now.
- Patrick Stewart's Return: Sir Patrick Stewart, the OG Professor X, is confirmed to reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. This will be a version of Xavier from another timeline, fitting into the Multiverse Saga.
- The Rebooted X-Men: Marvel Studios is planning a brand-new X-Men movie for the MCU, which is expected to arrive after Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027). This film will be directed by Jake Schreier (who's also helming Thunderbolts) and has a script by Michael Lesslie.
- The "Reset" Factor: Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has hinted at a "reset" for the franchise after Secret Wars, talking about a "singular timeline." This is where things get interesting for Fishburne. A soft reboot or timeline consolidation could theoretically "erase" his previous role as Bill Foster, freeing him up for a fresh start as Professor X.
The new X-Men film doesn't have a release date yet, but many anticipate it could arrive around 2028. This means casting news might be just around the corner, potentially starting production in late 2026 or early 2027.
Matrix star Laurence Fishburne publicly expressed his strong interest in playing Professor X in Marvel's X-Men reboot! Dive into why this casting would be epic.
Could Fishburne Actually Become Charles Xavier?
It's not just Fishburne himself throwing his hat in the ring. There have been rumors circulating that Marvel Studios is considering Black actors for the Professor X role, which would definitely put Fishburne in the running. Another fan-favorite, Giancarlo Esposito (known for Breaking Bad), also expressed interest in the role previously, but he's since been cast as the villain Sidewinder in 2025's Captain America: Brave New World, likely taking him out of the running for Xavier.
This potential "reset" of the MCU post-Secret Wars is key. It could allow actors who've had smaller roles (like Fishburne's Bill Foster) to return as entirely different, more prominent characters. Imagine the internet breaking if Fishburne also brought back Professor X's classic, oddly shaped comic book eyebrows – something he jokingly said he'd "certainly make the request about" if he got the part!
Will Laurence Fishburne plug back into the Matrix as Morpheus for the upcoming fifth film? He's weighing his options and shares his condition for a return. Find out what he said at NYCC.
Beyond Mutants: Laurence Fishburne's Other Exciting Ventures
While we're all buzzing about his potential Professor X role, Fishburne is keeping busy elsewhere. He's set to appear as Regis in the highly anticipated fourth season of Netflix's The Witcher, which premieres on October 30, 2025. He's also weighed in on other major franchises, noting he's "good on the couch" when it comes to Star Wars and isn't sure if it "makes sense" for him to return for a fifth Matrix movie, especially since another actor played Morpheus in Resurrections.
But for now, it's his Marvel aspirations that have fans talking. The idea of Fishburne bringing his incredible talent and gravitas to such a pivotal character like Professor X is definitely a exciting prospect for the MCU's future mutant lineup.
FAQ: Your Questions About Laurence Fishburne and the X-Men Answered
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