Renowned actor Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his roles in “Breaking Bad” and “The Mandalorian,” has shared his thoughts on the possibility of portraying Professor Xavier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reboot of “The X-Men.” Additionally, he expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of starring alongside Denzel Washington as Magneto.
In an interview with Amon Warmann, Esposito addressed the fan casting suggesting him for the role of Professor X. While he acknowledged the idea, he also revealed a hesitation due to the physical demands of the character’s iconic wheelchair.
“I’ve given it a cursory glance in my brain, and immediately I go ‘Hmm.’ [It would] be great to play Professor X in some other incarnation than just the wheelchair. Right? Because the physical idea of being in a wheelchair every single day does not appeal to me. I just don’t feel that old and I don’t like to sit that much,” Esposito stated.
Despite his reservations, Esposito remained open to the possibility, suggesting that alternatives could be explored. “But certainly, we could figure something out maybe. Professor X wasn’t always in the wheelchair, but that is part of his character development. So, I think about it a little bit but I don’t give it all of my thought because it would have to come to me,” he added.
Throughout the X-Men comics’ history, Professor X has temporarily left his wheelchair behind on multiple occasions, either through physical healing or entering psychic realms. However, Esposito acknowledged the significance of the wheelchair to the character’s narrative.
While Esposito’s comments may hint at a degree of uncertainty, they also leave room for the potential evolution of the character in cinematic adaptations. With the right script and approach, Esposito could be persuaded to take on the role and lead “The X-Men” into the MCU.
Moreover, Esposito expressed excitement about the idea of collaborating with Denzel Washington, who is often fan-cast as Magneto. The pairing of Esposito as Professor X and Washington as Magneto could offer a captivating dynamic to the MCU’s portrayal of the iconic mutant duo.
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