Laurence Fishburne Eyes Iconic Role in Marvel’s Upcoming X-Men Reboot

Laurence Fishburne is ready to enter the world of mutants. During a Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con, the 64-year-old actor told fans that he would love to take on the role of Professor Charles Xavier, better known as Professor X, in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men reboot.

“I know that they’re talking about the X-Men now,” Fishburne said to the audience. “So, at this point, I want one of two things. The first thing would be: what do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?”

His suggestion immediately drew cheers from the crowd. Panel host Josh Horowitz joined in, responding with a laugh, “Approved. Greenlit!”

Fishburne didn’t mention a second role he wanted, admitting he couldn’t decide. “I don’t know, I’m gonna let you guys decide,” he told the audience. When Horowitz suggested he join the Star Wars universe, Fishburne quickly turned down the idea. “No, I’m good,” he said with a grin. “I’m watching everything. I’m in the middle of Rebels now, man. I’m good on the couch with Star Wars. I don’t need a lightsaber. I don’t — pew pew! — I don’t need it.”

For Fishburne, it seems his real focus is simply finding the next great project. “People always ask me, ‘What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever done?’ And I’m always like, ‘The next one,’” he said. “It’s been 25 years since The Matrix, and maybe some freak out there has got a strange movie they want to do, and nobody knows if it’ll work. I’m your guy!”

Fishburne already has a history with Marvel. He appeared as Dr. Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp and voiced characters in Marvel’s animated projects like What If? and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. He also voiced the Silver Surfer in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige recently confirmed that the X-Men will be recast after Avengers: Secret Wars. Before that, several original X-Men actors will return in Avengers: Doomsday. Since Disney bought Fox in 2019, the mutants have started to appear in the MCU, including Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast in The Marvels post-credits scene.

At the same Comic Con event, Fishburne’s Matrix co-star Joe Pantoliano revealed that he has a secret role in Marvel’s upcoming Wonder Man series.

Meanwhile, over at another panel, James McAvoy and Elliot Page, who played Professor X and Kitty Pryde in the earlier X-Men films, reacted to recent casting rumors. When asked about Colman Domingo possibly playing Professor X and Bella Ramsey as Kitty, Page said, “Yes, absolutely. They sound fantastic. It’d be just so exciting to see people do a take on a new iteration.”

McAvoy agreed, adding, “Look, I’m excited to see what happens next. I was a fan before I was an employee and I’ll be a fan again! Colman Domingo sounds amazing, though!”

As Marvel prepares to bring the X-Men fully into the MCU, Fishburne’s name adds another exciting possibility for fans to debate. With his strong presence and acting range, many believe he could be a perfect fit for the role of Professor X.

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