The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for its first X-Men reboot, set to hit theaters on May 5, 2028. While the studio has officially cast Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, a former Marvel actor came very close to landing the role. Tom Pelphrey, who played Ward Meachum in Netflix’s Iron Fist, was a top contender for the iconic mutant leader before Abbott was chosen.
Pelphrey recently opened up about the near-miss in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, sharing his mixed feelings about the opportunity and why he isn’t entirely disappointed about missing out.
Tom Pelphrey Was a Finalist for Professor X
Heading into the D23 event in Anaheim, three actors were named as frontrunners for the role of Professor X: Christopher Abbott (Wolf Man), Tom Pelphrey (Iron Fist), and Bill Skarsgård (It: Welcome to Derry). Ultimately, Marvel Studios went with Abbott, who will now follow in the footsteps of Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.
Pelphrey made it to the final rounds of consideration for Charles Xavier, the telepathic mutant leader who has been a driving force in X-Men storylines for decades. His near-casting would have marked his second appearance in the Marvel universe, having previously portrayed Ward Meachum in the Netflix series Iron Fist.
Pelphrey Shares His Mixed Feelings About the Near-Miss
When discussing the opportunity with The Hollywood Reporter, Pelphrey admitted he has conflicting emotions about taking on such a massive role.
“When it comes to opportunities like [Professor X], I am always of two minds. I am always a little torn in half. That’s a very long, serious commitment, and that makes me genuinely nervous because a lot of things can change in that time.”
The actor explained that half of him thinks the experience would be exciting, while the other half worries about what could happen during such a long-term commitment. Despite not getting the part, Pelphrey expressed gratitude for even being considered.
“To be in the conversation for those kinds of roles, regardless of the specifics or how it plays out or why, it’s incredible. To think about where I was ten years ago or even five years ago, it’s crazy the way this journey has unfolded.”
Pelphrey, who has received widespread acclaim for his work in HBO’s Task, also shared that he has no hard feelings about being passed over.
“You feel like you’ve done something wrong if you didn’t get it, but it’s just not true. There are so many amazing opportunities, and to do one means you cannot do all the other ones.”
The Actor Joked About His Shaved Head
On a lighter note, Pelphrey admitted he isn’t too disappointed about not having to shave his head for the role. The actor joked about his concerns regarding his appearance as a bald Professor X.
“I’ve also got a fat head. I have a watermelon. I was like, ‘If we’re even going to have this conversation, go into your AI image generator and look at me with a shaved head. That alone could be horrifying enough.’”
“The only hat I can wear is a fitted size eight. It is empirically a big fat head, and I don’t know if we want to see it shaved.”
Christopher Abbott Officially Cast as Professor X
During the D23 presentation, Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirmed that Christopher Abbott would be playing the new iteration of Professor Charles Xavier. Abbott joins a star-studded cast that includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, and Adam Driver as the villain Mister Sinister.
The X-Men reboot will be directed by Jake Schreier, who previously helmed Thunderbolts. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in May 2028.
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What This Means for Pelphrey’s Career
While Pelphrey missed out on playing Professor X, his near-casting shows how much his profile has risen in Hollywood. The actor, known for his roles in Ozark, Banshee, and Outer Range, recently earned another Emmy nomination for his performance in HBO’s Task.
There is always a chance that Pelphrey could play another character in the X-Men reboot or the wider MCU, especially since he clearly impressed Marvel Studios enough to be a finalist for the role of Charles Xavier.
Also Read: Marvel Faces Major Risk by Making Spider-Man the Center of Upcoming MCU Phases
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