First I want to start with a spoiler warning! I’m going to be talking about all things Marvel, MCU, Disney+ and everything between. If you aren’t caught up go finish Ms. Marvel and then come back. If you are one of those people that don’t care about spoilers(This one if for you!), keep reading.
You’ve been warned.
Ok, so I enjoyed Ms. Marvel. It was a fun show that explored part of the MCU, and part of the world, that we don’t see a whole lot of. The only downside was the show didn’t feel like it had a lot of weight behind it. They threw out her Inhumans connection pretty fast so I was just watching it to enjoy a show. Then the final episode dropped!
It ends with Kamala and her brainy buddy Bruno talking about the origin of her powers. Bruno states that they might have been wrong when they first started to understand them. There is something fundamentally different about her, something different from the rest of her family, she has a mutation! *Cue the X-men animated theme* I actually missed the musical bonus because my jaw was on the floor
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We’ve known the X-Men were coming for a while. Since Disney bought Fox back in 2019 fans have eagerly awaited for Marvel’s merry mutants to return to the big screen. They teased us earlier this year when Sir Patrick Stewart returned as Professor X in Multiverse of Madness. They used the music there too, I hope the original composer is seeing some money out of this.
With new X-Men movies we are hopefully going to get new X-Men actors. Nothing against all the old ones but it is time for some fresh blood, except Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool he can stay. Now fancasting the X-men is nothing new. In the ancient times before the internet Wizard magazine did a fun casting, and actually called Stewart being Xavier
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I’m going to put my two cents in and share with you everyone I think should be in a new X-Men series. I see Xavier and Magneto in their mid-late 40s and the team in their late 20s or early 30s, except Logan and Storm who will be between
.Xavier - Casey Affleck
You can’t have the X-Men without Professor X and I think Casey Affleck would be a perfect fit. He’s proven time and again that he can carry a scene by himself (Manchester by the Sea, Gone Baby Gone) and play in ensemble casts (Ocean’s). I can only hope that Ben’s experience as Daredevil and Batman wouldn’t turn him off of joining a superhero franchise.
Magneto - Antony Starr
We’ve seen Starr be a complete jerk on The Boys so we know he can be a villain. He does have moments where he does seem sympathetic while also letting you know he’s better than everyone. The hero/villain line Magneto walks is a complicated one but Starr could pull it off. I know there are some rumors of him being Sebastian Shaw but I hope those aren’t true.
Cyclops - Colton Haynes
I mean, just look at the guy! He looks just like what I think Scott Summers would look like. His role as Arsenal in Arrow was a great setup to be the leader of the X-Men.
Storm - Sonequa Martin-Green
This was one of the hardest picks on the list. I wanted someone who can do it all. Storm has led teams, countries, even entire planets! She can go toe-to-toe with anyone physically or mentally. She is the smartest, strongest and most beautiful person in the room. Stealing from the Star Trek fandom I think Sonequa checks all that. Plus, being from Trek, she knows how franchises work. I also want Storm and Wolverine a little older a la X-Men Evolution, so it works perfectly.
Jean Grey - Erin Moriarty
Another alum from The Boys! As Starlight we routinely see Erin struggle with doing what is right and what is expected. I think this would play great as Jean slowly starts to battle with the Phoenix inside of her.
Nightcrawler - Keiynan Londsdale
There was a time when I would’ve put Ezra Miller here, but that is long gone. Keiynan proved on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow he can shine in a big cast. Specifically, when he was on Legends he had a very light hearted feel to his character that reminded me of Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler always plays for laughs and is the heart of the team while still struggling with who he is and his inner demons.
Angel - K. J. Apa
KJ almost joined the DCEU in the doomed Wonder Twins movie, so he’s ready for the MCU. Years on Riverdale showed us all the facets of this great young actor. He could bring arrogance to Angel but also his eventual fall from grace.
Rogue - Alexa Demie
Besides killing it on Euphoria Alexa has been on shows like Ray Donovan and The OA. Before you get upset, I think switching Rogue from a backwoods Southern belle to a person of Latinx heritage will just allow for some better storytelling. Set her on a collision course with Ms. Marvel and watch it go down!
Wolverine - Michael Shannon
You need someone who can hang with Antony Starr and Casey Affleck, someone who can carry their own movie when the time comes. Hugh Jackman was a brilliant choice and had his time but I think the claws should go to Michael Shannon. Kneel before Wolverine!
When it comes to villains the X-Men have never had a shortage of great content. I don’t care which of these are used but here are some ideas for bad guys they can go up against.
Mr. Sinister - Gael Garcia Bernal
Whether it’s classics like Y Tu Mama Tambien and the Motorcycle Diaries or new hits like Mozart in the Jungle, Gael can be charming while hiding something sinister.
Arcade - Brenton Thwaites
Most people laugh at Arcade but I think if you went with a Saw/Viral content creator it would be really cool. Brenton Thwaites would be a fun switch from his role as Nightwing on Titans to this underused villain. Think of how the Riddler was in The Batman.
Cassandra Nova - Sally Hawking
As Xavier’s kinda twin sister, you could bring in Sally Hawkins to play the scheming psychic.Watching her slowly plot to tear apart her brother’s dream, something that could cause him and Magneto to team up, would be amazing!
Sebastian Shaw - Chris Pine
Since we talked about him earlier I wanted to put him and Emma Frost on here. The Hellfire Club could be a slow burn built up over a few movies. The mysterious shadow organization pulling all the strings. Who better to run it than Chris Pine? We’ve long wanted him in the MCU and I think this would be the perfect opportunity.
Emma Frost - Alexandra Daddario
For the White Queen, knowing she’ll eventually turn good, I’d like to see Alexandra Daddario. She brings beauty and intensity to everything she does, while still having a heart. It needs to happen!
Apocalypse - Cillian Murphy
The villain all X-fans want to see! He’d get the Thanos treatment as far as using CG instead of trying to make the actor look the part. Cillian Murphy would bring the gravity needed to the character. Even when the Scarecrow became a sort of joke in the Nolan movies he still was scary. Watch literally anything with him in it and you’ll see how great he is.
There you have it! My X-Men in the MCU. Do you agree or not? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time,
Lance
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