Mutants are slowly but surely making their way into the MCU, and it looks like some familiar faces may be making their comeback on that wave, too. During a recent interview, Patrick Stewart revealed that his co-star and long-time friend, Ian McKellan, might just be back as Magneto.
Mutants have been a hot topic in the MCU since it was announced that Disney was acquiring 20th Century Fox. With that purchase came the rights to all of Fox’s films - and the rights to theX-MenandFantastic Fourfranchises. WhileFantastic Fouris currently being worked on by Matt Shakman, mutants have only sparingly been referenced in the MCU. Little has been known about how the MCU will incorporate the characters into its films.
RELATED:Patrick Stewart Willing To Return To Star Trek After Picard Finale
While being interviewed byETfor his role onStar Trek: Picard,Stewart revealed that he had been in touch with McKellan about his cameo inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.“Actually, it went very well,” Stewart said of informing McKellan of his cameo. “He did say something like [‘Hey, I would’ve done this!'], yes that’s true. But we’re not done, Sir Ian and myself. We’re… we got plans.”
Stewart had previously teased being on ‘standby’forDeadpool 3.It’s known that Hugh Jackman will be reprising hisX-Menrole of Wolverine in that film, which will take place in the MCU, but who else may be coming along for the ride, and how the characters will make it into the cinematic universe, remains to be seen.
While theMCU multiverse means everything is technically canon, including theX-Menfilms, fans have been eagerly awaiting news about their favorite mutant team’s inclusion in the main universe. It’s not certain that Stewart and McKellan will be back for anything more than a cameo, however. There have been several indications that Marvel Studios is looking to recast its mutant roster, bringing in fresh new faces where they can.
For example, Ms. Marvel notably made reference to mutants (and changed Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan into a mutant in the process), andBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Namor (Tenoch Huerta) is explicitly a mutant. It’s a fact, then, that mutants exist within the mainline MCU, and it’s very likely that both Magneto and Professor X have variants existing on that Earth. Additionally, though Stewart and McKellen are thespians of a world-class caliber, it seems likely that Marvel Studios will want new actors in those roles to ensure that their new franchise isn’t constantly being compared to the old one.
MORE:Deadpool 3 Cast Adds The Crown Star Emma Corrin As A Villain
