Marvel’s X-Men movies introduced a multitude of comic book characters to the big screen; however, some castings were more successful than others. Beginning 25 years ago with Bryan Singer’s X-Men film, the collaboration between Marvel and 20th Century Fox released 12 more installments, concluding in 2020 with The New Mutants. Now that the X-Men’s movie and TV rights belong to Disney, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is slated to integrate new versions of the popular mutants in its upcoming Phase 7. Before the MCU officially relaunches the X-Men, it’s a great time to look back on the best castings from the Fox movies. From Professor X to Wolverine, the X-Men franchise’s most revered characters were portrayed by outstanding actors.
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The following seven Marvel X-Men performances are the most perfect castings in the movie franchise.
7) Nicholas Hoult as Beast
Nicholas Hoult was early in his career when he took on the role of Hank McCoy/Beast in X-Men: First Class (2011). Playing the character in three additional X-Men movies, Hoult established Beast as a standout mutant in the franchise. With the ability to alternate between his human appearance and his blue, clawed creature form, Hank leads a multifaceted life. Hoult wonderfully portrays Hank’s sharp intellect while cementing him as a fierce combatant. From a timid scientist ashamed of his mutation to a confident member of the X-Men, Beast has a satisfying arc in the X-Men movies, and Hoult’s solid interpretation of the character’s journey made him the ideal casting.
6) Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
Alan Cumming didn’t receive a ton of screen time as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in the X-Men films, but his debut in X2: X-Men United (2003) instantly made him a fan-favorite. The actor fully leans into Nightcrawler’s creepiness, maintaining a sly and mischievous demeanor in crucial moments on screen. The shifty teleporting mutant initially appears to be a villain, but Cumming deftly subverts expectations by unearthing Kurt’s genuine kindheartedness. Devilish in the face of his enemies and charming toward his X-Men allies, Cumming’s Nightcrawler is always a thrill to revisit. He remains one of the most underrated X-Men characters and acting performances; thus, it will be exciting to see Cumming reprise the role in Avengers: Doomsday.
5) Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique
Jennifer Lawrence is deservedly regarded as a generational actor, and she was perfect for the part of Raven Darkholme/Mystique. A fascinating character who wavers between two sides of the mutant world, Mystique follows a captivating trajectory that begins in X-Men: First Class and concludes with her heartbreaking death in X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019). Lawrence impressively portrays Raven’s complexity as she learns to accept her unique power. Thoroughly fleshing out Mystique’s dynamics with Charles Xavier, her adoptive brother, and Magneto, Lawrence brings conviction and vulnerability to the shapeshifting mutant. Raven’s evolution from an insecure outcast to a fierce and compassionate hero is rendered even more riveting by Lawrence. The role of Mystique requires a supremely talented performer, and Lawrence delivers.
4) Patrick Stewart as Professor X
Among the most recognizable faces in the X-Men movies, Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier/Professor X was a superb rendition of the comic book character. The founder and leader of the X-Men plays a major role in X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and other installments. Stewart’s portrayal authentically underscores Charles’s kindness and understanding toward others while communicating his determination to invent a better world for both mutants and humans. A well-executed contrast to the more vengeful outlook of Ian McKellen’s Magneto, Stewart’s Professor X comes across as thoughtful and compelling in every scene he commands. Thanks to Stewart’s performance as Charles, the legendary comic book personality became a renowned movie character.
3) James McAvoy as Professor X
James McAvoy quickly proved himself as the right actor to play the younger version of Charles Xavier. His first appearance in X-Men: First Class excellently develops Charles as a human on his path to becoming Professor X. McAvoy’s performance offers so much insight into Charles’s psyche through his relationships with the other mutants, particularly Mystique and Magneto. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), and X-Men: Dark Phoenix continue McAvoy’s top-notch portrayal of Charles, who endures many challenges as he leads the X-Men.
McAvoy is so memorable in the role because he energetically characterizes the young Professor X’s hopeful outlook on the world and intense resolve during conflicts. Events such as his paralysis and subsequent isolation from society take a toll on Charles over time, and McAvoy skillfully emulates all of the character’s changes throughout his tenure.
2) Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
With nine total appearances as Logan/Wolverine under his belt, Hugh Jackman has truly earned his status as a Marvel movie icon. Jackman’s debut as the clawed mutant in X-Men served as his breakout role on the big screen, setting him up for greatness in each successive film. Although exceptionally fierce in combat, Logan also has a vulnerable side that is aptly portrayed by Jackman.
The tension Wolverine faces while reckoning with his dark past and striving to protect his loved ones feels completely organic as a result of Jackman’s nuanced performance. Starting as a directionless mutant prodigy, Wolverine grows into one of the X-Men’s most experienced members, displaying so much resilience along his journey. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else ever playing Wolverine on the big screen, as Jackman seems like he was born to play this character.
1) Michael Fassbender as Magneto
Michael Fassbender is always magnetic in front of the camera, and his brilliant performance as Erik Lensherr/Magneto solidifies him as the Fox X-Men franchise’s best casting. From X-Men: First Class to X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Fassbender illustrates a layered portrait of Erik’s inner turmoil, trauma, and rage caused by the cruelty he suffered at the hands of humans. A sympathetic character who never quite feels like a villain, Fassbender’s Magneto outrivals McKellen’s older, more sinister version of the metal-manipulating mutant.
While flawed in his methods of liberating mutants, Magneto remains firm in his beliefs — a trait powerfully communicated by Fassbender. His friction with Professor X and love for Mystique generate many great scenes, and Fassbender nails them all. The actor seamlessly finds the balance between Erik’s belligerence and humanity. Magneto was already a fan-favorite X-Men character before Fassbender stepped into the role, but the star’s performance emphatically exceeded expectations.
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