Marvel Race Swapping Professor X?! Writer EXPLODES With Fury!

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It looks like Marvel might be trying to race swap Professor X in the MCU X-Men reboot.

In the upcoming developments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the biggest risk might shift from ticket sales to the casting decisions. There are rumors that Marvel Studios is seriously considering Black actors for the part of Professor Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men. This move has sparked heated discussions about the values and inclusivity of the franchise, as well as potential backlash from certain groups.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but get excited about the news that Sir Patrick Stewart is set to reprise his role as Xavier in “Avengers: Doomsday.” But what has me truly buzzing is the rumor of an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe X-Men reboot, supposedly planned for some time after 2027’s “Secret Wars.”

The anticipation surrounding this project is palpable, and one name that keeps cropping up in casting discussions is Colman Domingo. I can hardly wait to see who they ultimately choose to bring the X-Men back to life on the big screen!

On a recent episode of “The Hot Mic” podcast, Jeff Sneider, known for his scoops, stated, “I’m still hearing suggestions that Black actors could play Charles Xavier.” He further mentioned that Marvel might be considering this approach to distinguish itself from past performances by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy. There are also whispers that Denzel Washington is the studio’s preferred choice for Magneto, leading to conjecture that Marvel aims to reflect real-world Civil Rights themes by emulating the relationship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Current whispers indicate that Marvel may be contemplating Daniel Day-Lewis for the character of Magneto, leading to much mixed discussion at present.

It seems not all parties are in agreement with the idea to exchange roles (race swap) for Professor X. In truth, some of Marvel’s creative minds themselves have expressed concerns and doubts about this proposed direction.

Beau DeMayo, the former showrunner of X-Men ’97 who is also African American, seems to be among those criticizing the move. In response to a post on X about how Magneto’s past as a survivor of war atrocities and Professor X’s upbringing as a privileged British academic were crucial to their original characters, DeMayo was direct in his criticism.

I have nothing more to add, but I should mention that it seems Marvel Studios is hastily incorporating the X-Men into the Avengers: Endgame, which suggests they prioritize fan service over staying true to the original X-Men values beyond using them as cameos to rescue failed films by Feige and his team over the past six years.

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 18, 2025

I don’t have much else to add, but I can’t help but notice how quickly Marvel Studios seems to be incorporating the X-Men into upcoming projects like Avengers: Endgame. It gives the impression that they don’t truly appreciate or understand what the X-Men represent beyond using them as fan service and quick appearances to save a flailing cinematic universe created by Feige and his team over six years.

He went further, directly accusing Marvel Studios of exploiting identity optics for PR points.

@MarvelStudios ought to demonstrate genuine respect and safeguard their Black creative talent, rather than using their ethnicity as a tool for perceived progressiveness. This becomes particularly important when Marvel’s supposed ‘Parliament’ is predominantly a fraternity of white executives, without a single Black producer among them.

Ouch.

DeMayo’s strong criticism suggests a growing discontent among some insiders towards Marvel’s present management, who are perceived as moving away from the rich allegories that previously gave X-Men depth and significance. Instead of delicately unraveling the mutant metaphor, the reboot seems to be veering towards becoming another routine endeavor—one that prioritizes sensation over substance, replacing tradition with sensationalism and corporate image updating.

Actor Colman Domingo, recognized for his roles in Euphoria and Zola, has been mentioned as a potential choice for Professor X and was previously speculated to take over the role of Kang from Jonathan Majors. With his previous voice work as a version of Norman Osborn in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, he’s increasingly becoming associated with Marvel’s acting circle.

As of now, Marvel hasn’t officially announced any actors for its X-Men reboot following Secret Wars. It’s said that Jake Schreier, who directed Thunderbolts, is a strong contender to direct, while Michael Lesslie, known for writing The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is reportedly drafting the script.

Instead of focusing solely on questions like “who will portray Professor X?” or “will Marvel cast a different ethnicity for Professor X?”, perhaps the more substantial question to consider is “What message or statement does this reboot intend to convey?

To truly breathe new life into the X-Men universe, Marvel might need a complete rethink – this goes beyond casting choices, but also encompasses the overall creative direction. While altering the race of Charles Xavier may garner immediate attention, it could potentially disrupt decades of intricate thematic storytelling that has made mutants resonate with countless fans across generations.

Without a doubt, the discussion over the racial change in Professor X won’t be resolved quickly, given that Marvel Studios is currently facing significant pressure to overcome their prolonged period of decline.

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2025-05-19 17:56