Patrick Stewart has embodied many great roles over the years. I myself grew up watching him on Star Trek: TNG and would wear out my VHS copy of The Pagemaster. It’s actually funny to note that this man almost ended up playing Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin. Yeah, how different would that film have been? Thankfully he turned it down to star in Star Trek: First Contact. However, Stewart would find himself starring in a comic book series anyway, portraying Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men (2000). You can read my review for the film here.
Since that film, I can’t help but think of Stewart when I think of that character. When I read an X-Men comic, I read Professor X’s lines in Patrick Stewart’s voice. That’s how amazing he is in the role. Yes, Patrick Stewart has been an undeniable staple of the X-Men movies for quite some time. He’s appeared in five out of seven films and always brings his A-Game. However, the actor recently hinted that he might be saying his goodbye’s from the franchise sooner than we expected.
Speaking to ITV News, Stewart hinted that he might be done with the franchise after filming wraps on Wolverine 3.
“I can’t say because I don’t know, but I would imagine this is probably the end of this franchise for me.”
Personally, I am crushed but it’s understandable. Stewart, like Jackman (who is also leaving), has been with this film franchise since its inception. It makes sense as to why he’d want to leave but it doesn’t suck any less, unfortunately. As far as I’m concerned, Stewart is Professor X just like Jackman is Wolverine. That being said, Stewart teased us again. While talking about characters coming back to life in comic book films, he let this slip;
“The thing about science fiction and fantasy is that you can never, ever say it’s the end, it’s over,”
In terms of characters coming back to life, Stewart is absolutely correct. I mean, look at Loki, Nick Fury or even Mr. Spock. I’d say Captain Kirk but giving Star Trek: Into Dumbness credit would make me feel like the devil. It’s even true with Xavier. Even though he was killed by Jean Grey in X-Men: The Last Stand, he still showed up in Days Of Future Past. They never explained HOW but he was still there and it was great to see him again. On top of this, he will obviously be making an appearance in the new Wolverine sequel. He went on to say that when he does return, fans should expect to see a “very different” Charles Xavier who is “nothing like you’ve ever seen in the past.”
Fans can get their first glimpse at this “very different” Charles Xavier when Wolverine 3 hits theaters on March 3, 2017.
