James McAvoy Reveals His Favorite X-Men Movie

James McAvoy is rare among this new young breed of actors, as he has the ability to shift between offering heartbreaking sensitivity (“Atonement”) to displaying some serious action chops (“Atomic Blonde” and “Wanted”). The ability to toggle between these two attributes in such films as “The Last King of Scotland,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and as the young Professor X in three films in the “X-Men” series (with a fourth on the way) that has made him internationally one of the most in-demand actors in the world.

Not only is McAvoy versatile in the kind of projects he selects, but he delivers, having earned two BAFTA nominations for his performances in “The Last King of Scotland” and “Atonement,” and a Golden Globe nom for “Atonement” as well.

James McAvoy, who played young Professor X in the Fox X-Men film franchise, reveals which of those movies was his favorite and which was the biggest challenge. McAvoy debuted as the mutant telepath and X-Men founder Charles Xavier, a.k.a Professor X, in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class, taking over the role from Patrick Stewart for the prequel film. McAvoy went on to play the character in X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, as well as having a cameo appearance in Deadpool 2.

During an appearance in a video for GQ, McAvoy reflects on his time in the X-Men franchise, revealing an amusing behind the scenes anecdote about his hair in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The actor also states that he is still in touch with his X-Men co-stars, calling them “a great bunch of people.” Additionally, McAvoy explains that his favorite X-Men movie to make differs from the one that he found the most interesting. See what the actor had to say below:

“First Class is probably my favorite movie, but in terms of what I got to do as an actor, I’d say Days of Future Past was probably the most challenging, the most interesting experience I had as an actor on the X-Men movies.”

His Dark Materials star James McAvoy has opened up about the episode centred on his character Lord Asriel that was supposed to appear in season 2, saying he was ‘really sad’ it was cut… while adding he’d be open to playing the role once more.

This week, the third and final season of the TV series is set to premiere on BBC One, revealing the emotional end to the journey Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson) embarked on when they crossed paths from different worlds.

James, 43, plays Lyra’s father, the elusive and commanding Lord Asriel, who in the new episodes is rallying an army together to fight the Authority, the first angel who went on to declare himself a deity.

While speaking to MarkMeets.com and other media, the X-Men actor addressed his axed standalone episode, which would have filled in the gaps between the end of season one – when Asriel went through a portal into another world – and the tease at the end of season two – when he was shown imploring the Angels to join his fight against the Authority.

‘I mean, we never shot it, unfortunately. We got halfway through the first day,’ he said, before revealing that Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt was apparently supposed to join him in the story.

‘Me and Jo Froggatt – I don’t know if anybody knows, but Jo Froggatt was in it – and me and her were running around.’

Could Professor X Return In The MCU?

Avoy’s comments make sense, since it’s understandable that his first appearance as Professor X would hold a special place in his heart. The actor has also previously shared his appreciation for X-Men: Days of Future Past, describing it as “one of the better films that I’ve been involved in.” Fans of the franchise largely agree with McAvoy’s comments, since X-Men: Days of Future Past remains a favorite among audiences. In addition, McAvoy has earned praise over the years for his performance as the young Professor X.

After his positive experiences in the X-Men franchise, McAvoy has made comments about his interest in returning as the mutant, saying last year that he would “never say never” to reprising the role of Professor X. Since Disney acquired both Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox, there has been plenty of anticipation for the official introduction of mutants and the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. McAvoy previously expressed his excitement “as a fan” for what’s to come with the X-Men in the MCU, whether that plan includes him or not, but he has not shut down the possibility of his eventual return.

Though Stewart showed up in a cameo as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, his appearance was only possible because Strange was in a different universe, meaning that Professor X has yet to appear in the MCU’s main universe. McAvoy has previously said that he would return as Professor X if the story is right. Given his admiration for X-Men: Days of Future Past, perhaps he would be interested in returning as Professor X if the MCU were to reboot that storyline. Whether McAvoy comes back as Professor X or the MCU goes in another direction, the actor’s appreciation for the X-Men franchise is a treat for fans of the films.

Last week MarkMeets revealed that Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, RJ Cyler, Anna Diop Joined Jeymes Samuel’s ‘Book of Clarence’