Two of Fox’s X-Men universe’s most famous characters are all set to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe this year. Deadpool 3 will mark the reunion of X-Men Origins: Wolverine stars, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, as well as pave the way for the MCU debuts of Wade Wilson and Wolverine.
While nothing is confirmed, many expect the storyline of Shawn Levy’s movie to properly introduce several X-Men characters into the franchise. Ever since Disney’s 2019 acquisition of Fox, Marvel Studios has teased fans through X-Men-connected cameos.
During an interview in 2022, when James McAvoy was quizzed about the prospect of Professor X featuring in the MCU, he decided to remain tightlipped, but the actor did express his disappointment toward the way the X-Men franchise was shaped.
Why James McAvoy Hated the Direction X-Men Franchise Went in After His First Movie
James McAvoy portrayed the young Charles Xavier/Professor X in four X-Men installments between 2011 and 2019. His first film, X-Men: First Class, served as a prequel set in the 1960s and followed the early days of the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender).
The 2011 superhero film enjoyed both critical and financial success. The second installment also did well financially before the franchise started to lose its charm. His final appearance as Charles came in Dark Phoenix. The 2019 movie, which focused on Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) becoming an uncontrollable liability for the X-Men, proved to be a huge bomb at the box office, grossing just $252.4 million against a budget of $200 million.
Giving his take on how things unfolded, McAvoy questioned the creative decision that more or less ignored the complex friendship between his and Fassbender’s characters. He told GQ:
“My biggest criticism of what we did throughout the four movies was that after the first movie, we didn’t take advantage of the relationship between [Xavier and Magneto], which really formed the backbone of the first film.”
The Scottish actor was left wondering why the makers ejected such a massive weapon in favor of other narratives.
How James McAvoy Ended Up Wearing Hair Extensions for X-Men
Another thing that might’ve bugged McAvoy as much as the creative decisions in the franchise is his character’s hairstyle. In the original X-Men series, Patrick Stewart portrayed the bald genius, who created and led the X-Men team.
Accordingly, the Split star shaved his head. However, he soon learned that his iteration of Charles had a full head of hair in the prequel. To hide the massive gaffe, McAvoy had to wear hair extensions throughout the first month of the filming.
Hilariously, he had to shave his head again, as the third installment of the series, X-Men: Apocalypse, featured the bald look of his character. Charles loses his hair due to Oscar Isaac’s mutant, Apocalypse.
