Marvel to reportedly "recast" iconic role; major name rumored

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to venture into its Multiverse Saga, audiences are beginning to see just how limitless the possibilities truly are. Not only have they seen the returns of two classic Spider-Men Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, they have also seen Hugh Jackman don Wolverine's iconic comic-accurate yellow-and-blue suit for the first time ever. It's a truly wild time to be a Marvel fan.

The second of those two game-changing moments is the beginning of a new chapter for the MCU, as it will see Marvel Studios slowly begin to introduce audiences to the mutants and, by extension, the X-Men. Logan's return isn't the first reference to mutants in the franchise (there have been a few at this point), but it is the most significant, and according to Kevin Feige, we're heading into the Mutants Era.

There is an X-Men movie in development, which means we will be introduced to a whole new line-up of X-Men in the near-future. While Jackman will likely remain on as Wolverine, the other iconic characters will likely have new actors playing the roles. And one recent report suggests a major name could step into one of the X-Men's most important roles of all.

New X-Men rumor suggests Bryan Cranston could play Professor X

According to prolific scooper account Marvel Scoops (formerly known as Marvel News), Marvel will recast the role of Professor Charles Xavier after Avengers: Secret Wars, with Bryan Cranston on the list of potential actors who could play the role.

If this is the case, it would be a huge deal. Cranston is a veteran who would no doubt be capable of pulling off an incredible performance as Professor X. Although he has been entertaining audiences for decades on shows such as Malcolm in the Middle, it was his performance as Walter White on Breaking Bad that turned him into a global phenomenon, earning him acclaim and solidifying him as one of the greatest actors of all time.

The role of Charles Xavier has, thus far, been portrayed by two actors in live-action projects, and both appeared in Fox's X-Men movie series. Sir Patrick Stewart played the character in the original trilogy and various sequels, while James McAvoy brought the younger version of him to life in the prequel saga.

Stewart reprised the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in which he wore the character's signature green suit and had his signature yellow chair. There have been reports that he could very well cameo again before the Multiverse Saga concludes, with Avengers: Secret Wars - which is expected to feature some kind of multiversal battle involving countless potential classic Marvel cameos - being the likely place for that.

If this is indeed the case, it would explain why the rumor suggests another actor won't portray the character until after Avengers: Secret Wars. With the X-Men on their way to the MCU, all of the primary mutants will likely be cast, with new actors taking over the roles from their Fox counterparts, but to introduce them before the end of the Multiverse Saga - when there is still a great deal of potential that we could see the Fox cast return - could end up confusing or alienating mainstream audiences. And given how imperative it is that Marvel gets the X-Men right, that would be a mistake.

Regardless of whether this report turns out to be true or not, it's certainly clear to see why fans are excited about the prospect of Cranston playing the role. Like Stewart and McAvoy before him, there is such gravitas in his performances and that's a necessity when it comes to Professor X. There is no doubt that he would deliver a remarkable performance if Marvel casts him.