James McAvoy has signed on to play a young Charles Xavier, aka Professor X, in “X-Men: First Class,” which Matthew Vaughn is directing for Fox.
According to Fox, “First Class” will “chart the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were the closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.”
Patrick Stewart played the character, a bald-headed, wheelchair-bound telepath, in the original "X-Men" trilogy. Fox did not reveal if McAvoy will sport a follicle-free pate.
Fox is moving fast on the production, hiring Vaughn in early May and planning a summer start in London. The movie is being planned for a June 3, 2011, release.
Bryan Singer, who conceived the story for “First Class,” is producing along with Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg.
McAvoy, repped by UTA and Ruth Young/United Agents, already has comic book movie experience, having starred in “Wanted.” The British actor was last seen in “The Last Station.”
-- Borys Kit
Can someone please tell me where in the storyline of the X-Men did Charles Xavier begin using a wheelchair? Did he always use it? Was he born with his mobility disAbility or was it the result of an injury or disease? In this prequel storyline will Xavier be able bodied or wheelchair user? Thanks!
Posted by: Larry | May 27, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I want him to do Wanted 2! And after seeing iron man 2 -- i think scarlett johannson would make a perfect replacement for angelina jolie
Posted by: sam | May 27, 2010 at 06:06 PM
@Larry I believe he got shot in the back about a zillion times and was paralyzed, but I don't really recall why or where or what was going on.
Posted by: ButterflyNebula | May 27, 2010 at 09:50 PM
He was paralyzed when he was crushed by falling debris from a damaged building
Posted by: DreamTripper | May 27, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Patrick Stewart played the character, bald, wheelchair telepathically, original trilogy X-Men. Fox does not reveal whether McAvoy Pate is a follicle-free sport.
Posted by: memory card reader | May 28, 2010 at 12:25 AM
Well, I don't like this guy at all and I don't think he is good in action movies but who knows, maybe he will be prove to be a great professor. Can't wait to see it.
Posted by: executive training | May 28, 2010 at 01:50 AM
I love to watch movies.James is a nice guy and i would like to watch his new movie.It will definitely rocks.Thanks for the post.
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Posted by: Infolona | May 28, 2010 at 04:20 AM
I wish and dream to play Magneto!
I approve of the choice of James McAvoy for the role of Professor X! This is the same guy directed by Timur Bekmambetov of the "Wanted"! Good choice! Well, and I like Magneto long awaiting to Enter! Bryan Singer, Matthew Vaughn, and Lauren Shuler Donner, take to the role of Magneto please me! You can find me here! http://twitter.com/New_Magneto
Posted by: New_Magneto | May 28, 2010 at 04:57 AM
Pretty sure James McAvoy is Scottish, not British. AHEM
Posted by: Alex | May 28, 2010 at 08:29 PM
McAvoy is absolutely Scottish!
Posted by: Deb Parks | May 29, 2010 at 01:03 AM
British includes scottish.. 'AHEM'
Posted by: Bob | June 01, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Gerald Butler as Kane aka Juggernaut Marko.
Daniel Craig as Magneto
Karl Urban as Beast
Posted by: Dude | June 07, 2010 at 05:27 AM
That will be so awesome! Can't wait to watch this one.
Posted by: Eric Schiffer Fanatic | June 14, 2010 at 11:54 PM
Actually, it was kind of Magneto's fault that Professor X ended up in a wheelchair in the original comics. And it was because of falling debris, not bullets as I recall. Of course, Professor X being so awesome, he doesn't hold a grudge. (^_~)
Posted by: MyGeekLife | August 11, 2010 at 10:15 AM