I think many of us will agree that it’s hard to find a living actor better suited for the role of Professor Charles Xavier than Sir Patrick Stewart. Over the past seventeen years, he’s brought much passion to the character, playing him convincingly in several X-Men films. But despite what seemed like a definitive farewell in the recently released Logan, it looks like the seasoned veteran may not be all that ready to hang it up regardless of recent statements to the contrary.
During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Stewart himself said that while it seemed like Logan was as good a place as any to call it quits (if you saw the movie, you’d know why), it appears that he’s well aware that the X-Men franchise is expanding into many different directions. If you were to ask me, he’s starting to sound about as retired from the Xavier role as Mark Hamill is from that of the Joker.
When the conversation turned to Deadpool 2, he undeniably seemed interested in participating in the highly anticipated sequel. In fact, it sounds like some conversations may have already taken place over at Fox. Knowing how he got to put a different spin on Xavier in Logan, you can’t help but be curious as to how Professor X would play off Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth in a no holds barred R-rated setting. And as long as the movie doesn’t take place too far into the future, we don’t have to worry about any possible contradictions.
But what may seem like a more fitting gig for Stewart would have to be a guest spot on the FX series Legion. Coincidentally enough, Dan Stevens – who actually plays Xavier’s son, David Haller, on that very show – happened to be a couple seats over and suggested they work together. Most fortunately, Stewart is quite enthusiastic about the prospect. And now that the genie is out of the bottle, maybe it’s for the best that Logan serve as only a chronological swan song.