Casting the MCU X-Men
Exploring what the X-Men could look like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With Disney acquiring the rights to the X-Men and the rest of the world of mutants, it is only a matter of time that we see Marvel’s first team grace the big screen again. With theories and speculation running wild amongst fans across the internet, I thought it would be a perfect time to start really considering who should take on the roles of each of the original founding members of the X-Men. With one addition of arguably the most popular member of the team.
With the vast amount of actors today, these are merely darts throws of dream castings of my own opinion. At the time of writing this article no castings have been confirmed as far as I am aware of but who knows maybe this article will age better than expected. Again this is intended to be a fun exercise of my own opinion and I am sure whoever is actually cast as these characters will have gotten the role for a very good reason.
Mark Strong as Professor Charles Xavier
An actor who surprises every time! distinguished, intelligent, kind, menacing you name it, Mark Strong has range! Professor X needs to be able to hang with the best of them in this well-established universe. Despite his stark profile and recognizable appearance, he never fails at disappearing into a role making his characters believable and grounded. Not unfamiliar to comic and graphic novel source material, from Kick-Ass to the Kingsman: Secret Service, this man is one of the few with the chops to lead the X-Men into the MCU.
Antony Starr as James Logan Howlett AKA Wolverine
The only non-founding member of the X-Men, the Wolverine is the tortured soul that we have all come to know and love. He has also become a staple of any X-Men-related conversation. With many names being considered, I believe one stands above the rest! There isn’t a whole lot to say here, if you have seen Starr steal the show in Amazon Prime’s The Boys, then you know exactly what he brings to the table. The Wolverine is a tortured soul who is at constant war with his loose grip on his humanity. Not only does he have the look and physicality for the role but based on his performance as Homelander alone he has proven he can tackle the most complex of characters whilst still commanding authority in an ensemble cast.
Scott Eastwood as Scott Summers Aka Cyclops
While many people have thrown his hat in the ring to play the Wolverine, the son of the legendary Western Star is more suited to play laser-focused field leader of the X-Men, Scott Summers aka Cyclops. With his filmography raking up more and more blockbusters, like the Pacific Rim and Fast and Furious franchises, the MCU seems like the next logical step for the up and comer. Both this actor and character are often seen as the “Pretty boy/ Boy Scout” type, however, both also have much more to offer. As Clint Eastwood leaves big shoes to fill for his son, so does Professor Xavier for Cyclops. Scott Eastwood’s ability to relate to the role in this way makes him a prime candidate to play the character. This role would solidify the actor as a shot caller and not just a hotshot.
Logan Lerman as Bobby Drake aka Iceman
Even as a child this young man had promise! Landing his first lead role in 2006, and scoring the lead in his own franchise just 4 years later. Not to mention working alongside and learning from legends like Jennifer Connelly, Mel Gibson, Jim Carry, Russel Crowe, Christian Bale, Drew Barrymore, Greg Kinnear, Paul Rudd, Brad Pitt, and Al Pacino. At this point portraying the Ice Man on the big screen would come naturally. Bobby Drake was rejected by his family as a lot of mutants are and the added struggle for those who seek sanctuary is the idea of embracing a new family. Ice man proves by example that mutants do and can belong somewhere. Logan Lerman can definitely be the heart of the X-Men family, with his earnest and welcoming personality, and new students would feel very welcome by his presence.
Joe Keery as Angel
It’s time for the world to stop seeing Joe Keery as just Steve from Stranger Things! While we love his character on that show, his talent is ready for the next level and it doesn’t get bigger than being cast as one of the founding X-Men. Warren Wentworth III is a brash, outspoken, self-absorbed heir to the Wentworth family fortune. He is stereotyped as someone who cares more about how he looks rather than what he is doing and unable to deal with hardships. Joe has shown us that he can turn even the douchiest of characters and transform him into a beloved unlikely hero.
Shailene Woodley as Jean Grey
As the lead role in the Divergent series, being the center of attention in action and adventure are comfortable areas for this actress. This prowess will work wonders for her as our next founding member of the X-Men. As the sole female founder of the team, it is important to portray the qualities of a leader and a role model for those to come after. The Omega Level Mutant also experiences her fair share of romance. With Cyclops eventually becoming her husband, her unrequited attraction to Wolverine and unknowingly captivating the heart of Angel, she will have a lot to figure out while also understanding the immense power she possesses. Woodley has received lots of critical acclaim for her work when it comes to romance and drama which make her an excellent fit for the MCU version of Jean Grey.
Jeffery Wright as Hank McCoy aka The Beast
It has recently been revealed that the esteemed actor will be our next Commissioner Jim Gordon in the Robert Pattinson-led film, The Batman (2022). Why stop there? Many actors dip their feet into both DC and Marvel franchises and Mr. Wright should be the next one! Not only are his acting chops up to snuff, but the gusto and gravitas in his voice alone will pair beautifully with not only the highly intelligent dialogue but also the groundbreaking motion capture and visual effects inevitably used for the character.
Hank McCoy seeks to bridge the cultural gap between humans and mutants, helping the two sides better understand one another leading to a much more sustainable coexistence. With a sharp wit and an upbeat attitude, the Beast will become an unlikely fan favorite if brought to life by Jeffery Wright.
This list was anything but easy to narrow down but in the end, imagining each actor in their respective role brings me extreme excitement for the future of this franchise! I’m sure without a doubt that we all have our dream cast for the team, but if any of my picks interested you feel free to let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts and hope that I bring some excitement to you as well!
