Marvel Studios‘ search for the next MCU Professor X may have taken an unexpected turn. The latest reports from industry insiders Jeff Sneider and Daniel Richtman suggest the studio may have already cast the role. But the actor isn’t who fans expected.
Speaking with John Rocha, Sneider addressed the rumors surrounding the cast of Charles Xavier linking to It actor Bill Skarsgård and Ozark actor Tom Pelphrey. Sneider said the situation has changed since early July and suggested that recent developments may have reshaped the casting race. He added that Bill Skarsgård rumors “are legit,” but admitted that he is now questioning the reports involving Pelphrey.
Sneider pointed out that a bunch of the current X-Men casting chatter is based on outdated information. According to him, Marvel held screen tests during the holiday. Those tests likely changed the studio’s plans, making many of the earlier reports no longer accurate. “Those tests, over around the holiday, changed the picture. So, I think it’s kind of old info that may be bubbling to the surface,” he said.
Daniel Richtman (DanielRPK) echoed a similar statement on Patreon. He noted Marvel has already locked in the cast for Professor X, but the actor is neither Skarsgård nor Pelphrey.
Why Bill Skarsgård and Tom Pelphrey may no longer be Marvel’s top choices
Both actors were rumored to be the frontrunners to play Professor X for a while. Skarsgård, known for his transformative roles, felt like a natural fit for a young, more authoritative take on the character. Meanwhile, Pelphrey, known for his dramatic roles, seemed like a potential player for the kind of role Professor X requires.
However, the latest reports suggest Marvel’s plans may have changed. Given the huge amounts of casting rumors surrounding the X-Men reboot, some outdated information can easily surface as new developments. If both reports are accurate, Sneider and Pelphrey may no longer be leading the race to play the X-Men founder.
Some fans have claimed Marvel could bring back James McAvoy as Professor X alongside Michael Fassbender as Magneto.
While Marvel has neither confirmed nor denied the aforementioned actors, fans should wait for an official announcement.
