The 'Wanted' actor is on board to portray the bald-headed telepath in the next 'X-Men' spin-off, but his counterpart who will play Magneto has not been known.
- May 28, 2010
AceShowbiz - 20th Century Fox has begun filling the empty slots in "X-Men: First Class". The studio has announced on Thursday, May 27 that James McAvoy has signed on to take one of the lead roles in the film, playing young Charles Xavier, aka Professor X.
Bald-headed, wheelchair-bound telepath Xavier was played by Patrick Stewart in the original "X-Men" trilogy. It has not been explained whether or not McAvoy will sport a follicle-free pate to portray the character. Beside the 31-year-old actor, no one has been announced as the cast for the upcoming film.
"X-Men: First Class" will chart the epic beginning of the "X-Men" saga. It follows Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr before they took the names Professor X and Magneto, when they were still closest of friends who worked together with other Mutants to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.
Matthew Vaughn has been hired to serve behind the lens after Bryan Singer pulled out of the helming duty due to scheduling conflict. The helmer of "X-Men" and "X-Men 2" now serves as producer for "First Class" alongside Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg. 20th Century Fox eyes June 3, 2011 release for the action sci-fi and plans to start shooting this summer.
James McAvoy is best known for his role as an assassin in "Wanted (2008)" in which he stars opposite Angelina Jolie. He is still attached to reprise his role in "Wanted 2" although the project has lost the lead actress. The Scottish star will be next seen in drama flick "The Conspirator" which is planned to arrive this year.
