First of all, I want to make it clear that I’m a big fan of all three core X-Men films, and I think some of the casting choices were inspired, some dreadful, but most pretty good. My own rules prevent me from keeping on ANYONE from the existing cast, I despise fancasts where half the cast is left unchanged. Patrick Stewart is, and always will be, the ideal Xavier, but alas, rules are rules. Feel free to voice any ideas of your own and give constructive criticism, but please, don’t just troll. I’m not an expert on the X-Men, so I’ve taken some creative license with some of the characters.
Heroes
First up, the man himself. As I said, Stewart IS Professor X, but I think Malkovich would do well in emulating his commanding presence and has more far more raw talent than most people in the business. Plus, the chrome dome helps boost his suitability!
James McAvoy is one of Hollywood’s rising stars, and I can really see him as Angel, many of his roles have put him in the shoes of the morally sound hero, though obviously not Wanted… In addition to this, he has the look of a leader, which I imagine Angel taking, in the beginning at least.
Too many people know Kiefer Sutherland as the hot-headed Jack Bauer, whereas I could totally believe him as an intellectual such as Beast. And as far as Dark Beast goes, just watch Kiefer in The Lost Boys. Pure unsettling malevolence.
Jared Padalecki is pretty much the unanimous choice on here for Cyclops, and it’s easy to see why. In the first couple of series of Supernatural as Sam Winchester, his most prominent role, he perfectly embodies that restrained, duty conscious persona we all know Scott Summers for.
Iceman has always been the joker of the group, and I think that John Krasinski could bring a fantastic subdued humour to the role. He’s consistently brought one of the main characters of The Office (US) to life with great compassion and a very Bobby Drake-esque attitude.
Again, this is a fan-favourite, but I think Emily Blunt is perfect for Jean. I think Famke Jansen’s portrayal was great, but until the last film she was a bit… boring. I’d like to see a bit of an Alpha-female struggle in the first film between her and Scarlet Witch (Or Charmer. Confused? Check out the reboot article when it’s done).
James Howlett, Wolverine, the crazy Canuck. Most people I know seem to be split about Hugh Jackman taking the role, and while I think he did a good job, he was far tooooo… nice? I’d definitely have slowed down his gradual acclimatisation to the X-Men’s way. Mark Wahlberg, however, has proven himself to have the ability to go from psycho-killer to dramatic gold at the flick of a switch. As a bonus, his height would be far more authentic.
Zoe Saldana has kind of taken Hollywood by storm this year. Get it? By… storm. Anyhow, her portrayal of Uhura in Star Trek was everything I’d want Storm to be: level headed, compassionate, and a little emotionally vulnerable.
This next two I’m expecting some real backlash from, but I stand by my choices. Dakota Fanning has proven herself to be one of the best child actors of the last few decades, and I could really see her and Wahlberg effectively bringing the bond between Kitty and Wolverine onscreen.
Now, let me start by stating that I despise the Twilight films. I watched the first one just so I could credibly criticise it. However, I think Kristen Stewart more than exonerated herself in Adventureland and Into The Wild, and the upcoming Runaways film (One of my most anticipated of 2010, just below Iron Man 2 and The A-Team) looks to showcase even more of her and co-star Fanning’s talent. Besides, her role in Twilight is just a shit, poorly written version of Anna Paquin’s Rogue.
Lots of people are saying James Franco for the Ragin’ Cajun, but I think Lost’s Josh Holloway was born to play him. The charm is abundant, the accent flawless, and it’s easy to believe he’d rob you as soon as look at you. Just watch any Sawyer-centric episode and you’ll get it.
Diane Kruger has an abundance of flawless beauty, and the sinister European twist that I think is essential to bring the White Queen to life. I’m not too sure on her comic book origins, but I’d hate to see an American play Emma. On top of which, I think Kruger would be fantastic at bringing some mental instability to the character.
Nightcrawler was one of the easiest for me to cast, I think Jason Schwartzman’s subtle, dry approach to humour would make the character endearing while simultaneously mysterious and a little dangerous.
Colossus wasn’t so easy, I’d rather cast an authentic Russian or eastern European actor, but in the end I went with the breakout star of 2009. I think he has talent, just not enough right now for the leads he’s getting. A good supporting role like Colossus would be perfect for him.
Havok was another obstacle, the last one I cast in fact. Eventually I thought Elijah Wood could do the character justice, as I think he’s a fantastic actor with not enough opportunities to take part in action films, and I think him and Jared would be believable as brothers.
For X-23, I went with Mila Kunis. While she’s mainly known for comedic roles, I think there’s a lot of potential for her in a more action orientated position. I think she would work well onscreen with Dakota Fanning, whose character is closely involved in X-23’s subplot in the fourth film.
Villains
I was split when casting Magneto between Malcolm McDowell and Tobin Bell. In the end, I chose McDowell because of the range of roles in his 40-year career. I think he’d be just as convincing as a trusted friend of Xaviers as he would be as a villain.
Across The Universe’s Joe Anderson takes the role of Quicksilver due to the effective confident, even smug demeanour of his character in said film. His character also showed a significant compassionate side, something required of Quicksilver in regards to his relationship with his father and sister.
Summer Glau I chose for Scarlet Witch because of the parallels with her Firefly character River Tam. Both are mentally unstable, possess incredible power and have a protective older brother. Glau is also one of my favourite actresses, couldn’t ignore a role this perfect for her.
Rebecca Romijn gave one of the best performances in the recent trilogy, and one for the most underrated. For her replacement, I’d bring in Milla Jovovich. Do I really need to explain this?
BJ Novak, another veteran of The Office, fits the part of Toad for me due to the seedy, untrustworthy nature he brings out in his best known role. Visually, he doesn’t really match his 616 counterpart, but I think he would look right, kind of like the direction they went with Ray Park in the first film, but further.
Trask wouldn’t have a large role, more of an offscreen menace than an immediate threat. Josh Brolin would fit the role perfectly; firm, abrupt, a little arrogant, all the while clearly very intelligent.
The majority seem to want Jason Isaacs in the role of Mr Sinister, but I think there’s no-one better suited than Jeremy Irons. Suave, quintessentially English, and yet always terrifying when he wants to be. I think he even resembles Sinister more than anyone else. Just don’t try his cereal.
He’s the peoples pick for Kraven, but I think a more animalistic, sociopathic role would suit Gerard Butler better. His best moments for me are those where he really loses it (see “THIS IS SPARTA!” and the part of Phantom where he threatens to kill Raoul in the sewers. Fricking insane).
Scalphunter, a muscular, vicious killer? This has Trejo written all over it.
Ok, I’m going to go through the Morlocks together. Michelle for Callisto because of her Joan Jett, take-no-shit attitude. Buscemi for Caliban because, well, that should be obvious. Ed Harris for Masque due to the cold demeanour he exhibits in some of his best roles. Ron Perlman as Sunder because there’s no-one better for a mountain of brute strength.
And, finally, the greatest threat to the team, and the centrepiece of the whole saga, En Sabah Nur, Apocalypse himself. Everyone seems to be saying Michael Clarke Duncan, and I get that. I mean, the man’s built like a brick shithouse. Still, I’d much rather see the incredible Hugo Weaving take the role. Let’s face it, no-one could capture the destructive fury of Apocalypse – in both voice and mannerism – like the man that brought V, Elrond and Agent Smith to life.
Make sure to check out my reboot synopses when I post them, probably around this time next week.