Patrick Stewart’s anticipated return as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday marks a significant opportunity for redemption following his brief appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This revival is reminiscent of a growing trend where numerous actors have reprised their iconic Marvel roles throughout the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. By leveraging the concept of the multiverse, Marvel Studios has created vast narrative possibilities. For instance, Spider-Man: No Way Home saw the returns of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, while the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film will feature Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine alongside Wesley Snipes as Blade and Jennifer Garner as Elektra.
The forthcoming films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, represent the climax of the Multiverse Saga, aiming to intertwine various realms within the Marvel multiverse. A notable aspect of Doomsday is its casting choice to bring back beloved characters from the Fox X-Men franchise. Among them, fans can expect to see Stewart’s Professor X alongside Ian McKellen’s Magneto, Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler, James Marsden’s Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast. Stewart initially made his comeback in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, yet many fans felt that this appearance didn’t do justice to the character’s legacy.
Underwhelming Appearance in Doctor Strange
Stewart first portrayed Charles Xavier in the 2000 film X-Men and continued to do so until Logan in 2017, which beautifully concluded his arc and that of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, providing a fitting end to the original X-Men timeline. Yet, the Marvel universe thrives on the principle that no character remains lost forever. Stewart returned as a variant of Professor X in Doctor Strange 2, presenting himself as part of the Illuminati, a council featuring characters like Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mordo and John Krasinski’s Reed Richards.
Despite the excitement surrounding this ensemble, the Illuminati faced a swift and brutal demise at the hands of Scarlet Witch in her pursuit of America Chavez. Although Professor X attempted to intervene by connecting with Wanda’s mind, he tragically met his end at her hands, which many viewers found disheartening. Marvel’s treatment of Stewart’s character, particularly his sudden death, appears disrespectful, especially following his poignant farewell in Logan. While his death in Logan felt significant, with a proper tribute and mourning, the cameo in Doctor Strange 2 was viewed as a mere stunt, lacking the gravitas that Stewart’s legacy demands.
Doomsday: An Opportunity for Redemption
Avengers: Doomsday holds the promise of granting Stewart’s Professor X a more substantial role in the unfolding narrative. Known as one of the most brilliant characters in the Marvel realm, Xavier possesses a unique understanding of the multiverse’s intricacies. As the X-Men join forces with the Avengers to confront Doctor Doom, it is crucial for Xavier to rally the mutants. This will include persuading figures like McKellen’s Magneto, who might be reluctant to cooperate.
One thing Marvel must avoid is rewriting Xavier’s fate with another death. Having already experienced fatalities in X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan, and Doctor Strange 2, audiences are not eager to witness this again. The Russo Brothers have a knack for crafting breathtaking moments for their characters, and fans are hopeful they will provide a fitting tribute to Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday.