Former MCU Star Reveals Near-Casting As Professor X For X-Men Reboot

Credit: MovieStillsDB Published Aug 23, 2026, 10:16 AM EDT Andy Behbakht has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2010, covering all the latest in Hollywood on both the big and small screens, from staying on top of the biggest breaking news, analyzing movies and television shows in Hollywood, to in-depth interviews with actors and storytellers. Andy's career includes having worked for publications such as FanSided, KSiteTV, TV Fanatic, It's Just Movies, Heroic Hollywood, TV Overmind, and more. Outside of his career as an established reporter, Andy is the host and producer of The Showrunner Whisperer, The Flash Podcast, the editor-in-chief of Multiverse of Color, and the network director of DC TV Podcasts. Sign in to your ScreenRant account The Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise was close to bringing a former star back, but as a completely different character. Robert Downey Jr. will be back in the MCU timeline this year, but not as Iron Man, as he will be playing Victor von Doom, a.k.a. Doctor Doom, in Avengers: Doomsday. But this isn't the first time Marvel Studios has brought an actor who has already been in the franchise for a different role, and one of their next projects was very close to repeating it. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tom Pelphrey confirmed the rumors that he had met with Marvel Studios about Professor X in the new X-Men movie. However, the role went to Christopher Abbott, with Pelphrey now opening up about not landing the part, which would have been his second time appearing in the MCU, after having previously played Ward Meachum in the Iron Fist series. Tom Pelphrey: When it comes to opportunities like [Professor X], I am always of two minds. I am always a little torn in half. That’s a very long, serious commitment, and that makes me genuinely nervous because a lot of things can change in that time. So half of me thinks an experience like that could be cool and exciting, while the other half of me is a little worried about what could happen. But to be in the conversation for those kinds of roles, regardless of the specifics or how it plays out or why, it’s incredible. To think about where I was ten years ago or even five years ago, it’s crazy the way this journey has unfolded. I don’t take any of it for granted. Like you said, I didn’t skip any steps to get here. I grinded for a long time, and my feet hit every rung on the ladder to get to where I am. I wouldn’t change any of it because I had to walk every single one of those steps to get here. I didn’t jump to the front of the line at any point or have one job that sent me into orbit. And thankfully so, honestly. To start from the bottom and then work my way up, I can see everything with a perspective that just leaves me feeling grateful. Now, when one door closes, another door immediately opens, and it’s really changed the way I feel about certain projects. If something doesn’t work out and it isn’t perfect for everyone involved, great, because it’s probably perfect for someone else. That just means there’s something more perfect coming for me. THR also asked the Task star how his younger self processed these types of experiences, as he went on to share that "when I was younger, I had much more of a zero-sum mentality. It has to be this, and I need to get this. So you’re either king of the universe for a while because you did get it, or you’re devastated because you didn’t get it. You feel like you’ve done something wrong if you didn’t get it, but it’s just not true. There are so many amazing opportunities, and to do one means you cannot do all the other ones. Every choice, in a way, is a sacrifice of all the other opportunities you’re not going to be able to do." As the interview took place days prior to the X-Men cast being revealed at D23 2026, Pelphrey commented, "I tread lightly now. If something excites me — such as meeting a Louis Leterrier or a Jake Schreier [X-Men director], and I love them and enjoy talking with them — I’ll be like, Okay, let’s try this, but no guarantees ever. So that’s where I’m at now. It’s easy come, easy go." While he didn't end up joining the X-Men movie, the Emmy-nominated actor still looks at those experiences as rewarding, nonetheless, as he stated the following. Tom Pelphrey: You learn a lot from looking back. You see how something that felt like a disappointment in the moment led you to a greater good. But we can only see those things in the rear view. If you’re paying attention and you’ve lived long enough, you start to realize, I should stop thinking I always understand what the best thing for me is. I’m going to surrender my master plan and how it needs to be executed. I’m just going to stay open to whatever comes next. So to have those [X-Men audition] experiences — and some of the other conversations and meetings I’ve had that haven’t been reported — it’s incredible. It’s been a good time. As much as I may have some talent and as much as I know I work hard, I am fortunate to be here. A lot of things have to go right at the right time to get here, so it’s all good. If the Iron Fist alum had been tapped to play Charles Xavier, it would be the fourth time a major Marvel-Netflix star got cast as another character in the MCU. The first time this happened was in Captain America: Civil War when Luke Cage's Alfre Woodard showed up for a single scene, playing Miriam Sharpe, despite having joined the franchise as Mariah Stokes-Dillard in the Netflix drama. Marvel · Mutant Profile Which X-Men Character Are You? “Mutation: it is the key to our evolution.” 🐺 Wolverine The Loner 🧠 Professor X The Visionary 🧲 Magneto The Survivor ACTIVATE CEREBRO → 01 Humans discover your mutant abilities. What do you do? ADisappear. Go off the grid before anyone can come after me — I don’t owe them an explanation BReach out calmly and try to have a dialogue — fear comes from misunderstanding, and I can help bridge that gap CMake a show of strength — they need to understand that mutants will not be hunted or controlled, ever NEXT → 02 Anti-mutant protesters surround a school full of young mutants. What’s your first move? AGet between the kids and the mob. If anyone raises a hand, they answer to me BAddress the crowd telepathically or publicly — show them the children are just scared kids, not threats CEvacuate the children to safety, then make the protesters deeply regret their choices NEXT → 03 A team of mutants needs a leader for a dangerous mission. What role do you naturally fall into? AI work alone, but I’ll take point — someone’s gotta make sure nobody gets killed BI coordinate the team, play to each person’s strengths, and keep morale steady CI lead from the front — my vision, my plan, my responsibility if it fails NEXT → 04 A powerful mutant threatens innocent humans. How do you respond? APut them down fast — talk later. Innocent people don’t have time for a debate BTry to reach them mentally — understand why they’re doing this and find a peaceful resolution COffer them a place at my side — their power is wasted on chaos when it could serve a greater cause NEXT → 05 A human politician offers to champion mutant rights — but has a shady past. What do you do? AGive them a chance — people can change, and this alliance could mean real progress for coexistence BI don’t trust politicians. Watch them closely, and the second they betray us, I’ll be right there CUse them — let them think they’re in charge while I control the narrative from behind the scenes NEXT → 06 What’s your biggest flaw? AI push people away — I’d rather be alone than risk losing someone I care about BI’m too idealistic — I keep believing in people even when the evidence says I shouldn’t CMy anger — once I commit to a path, I’ll burn everything down before I admit I was wrong NEXT → 07 Sentinels are hunting mutants in your city. What’s your move? AHunt the hunters — tear them apart before they find anyone else BCoordinate an underground network to hide and protect every mutant in the area CSeize control of the Sentinels — turn the weapons of oppression into instruments of liberation NEXT → 08 What do you believe about coexistence between humans and mutants? ACoexistence is a fantasy. Humans will always fear what they can’t control — mutants must secure their own future BI don’t care about the big picture — I protect the people I care about, and everyone else can sort themselves out CIt’s possible and worth fighting for — the dream of a world where humans and mutants live in peace is everything REVEAL MY MUTANT IDENTITY → Cerebro Scan Complete Your X-Men Identity 🐺 Wolverine (Logan) “I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” You’re the fierce loner who acts first and philosophises later — but beneath that adamantium-plated exterior beats a heart that cares far more than you’d ever admit. You’ve been burned enough times to distrust the world, so you keep people at arm’s length, yet you’d throw yourself into any fight to protect the ones who slip past your defences. You don’t need a cause or a manifesto — you just need someone worth fighting for. Like Logan, your greatest strength isn’t your claws or your healing factor; it’s the stubborn refusal to let the people you love face danger alone.Fierce Protective Resilient Untamed 🧠 Professor X (Charles Xavier) “Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.” You’re the visionary who sees the best in everyone — even when the world gives you every reason not to. Your greatest power isn’t telepathy; it’s an unshakeable belief that understanding and compassion can bridge any divide. You lead not through force but through hope, building bridges where others build walls. Some call you naive, but you know that real strength lies in extending a hand to your enemy. Like Charles Xavier, you carry the weight of a dream that most consider impossible, and you refuse to let it die.Visionary Empathetic Diplomatic Hopeful 🧲 Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr) “Peace was never an option.” You’re the survivor who learned the hardest lesson life has to offer: the world will not protect you, so you must protect yourself. Your conviction is unbreakable and your patience is terrifying — you’ll wait years to set the right plan in motion. You don’t hate humanity; you simply refuse to let your people be victims ever again. Every action you take, no matter how ruthless, is driven by a profound love for those who share your struggle. Like Erik Lehnsherr, you are both revolutionary and tragic — a leader forged in pain who will bend the world before it bends you.Resolute Strategic Ruthless Unyielding ↻ PLAY AGAIN Another Luke Cage veteran who was initially set to have a larger role in the MCU through his own solo film was Mahershala Ali. After playing the villainous Cornell Stokes, a.k.a. Cottonmouth, in season 1, he was going to portray Blade in a new reboot, which ended up getting stuck in development hell, with the Academy Award winner no longer attached to the project. In 2025, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who had already played Micro in The Punisher season 1, returned to the MCU, but this time as Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Despite this take on Marvel's First Family coming from Earth-828, the team is crossing over to Earth-616 in Avengers: Doomsday and will be back in Avengers: Secret Wars too. The X-Men film opens in theaters on May 5, 2028. Release Date May 5, 2028 Director Jake Schreier Writers Joanna Calo, Lee Sung Jin, Michael Lesslie Producers Kevin Feige Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), X-Men Cast Samara Weaving Emma Frost Main Genre Superhero Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures