Well I love the fact that we have this section of the website and I want to say thank you to the staff of Comicbookmovie.com for giving a bunch of comic book nerds an outlet. I’m wanted to do a casting of X-men but I wanted to do one that was based on no limitations. By no limitation I mainly am referring to age and roles that have already been filled in prior movies. So when I present an actor or actress I don’t want a comment about oh they are too old, because in this about selecting the best actor to represent a character from the Marvel Universe.
At times I selected two actors to play apart, one younger and one older. Also some casting will mirror current selections or other people’s choices, but some will be out there. There is no rhyme or reason to the X-men I selected other than I like them and their story. My selection of actors or actresses is based on one simple notion; basically these actors represent how closely they mirror my interpretation of these Marvel characters. To put it bluntly this is what I think it would be if Fox decided they were going cast every character like they did Professor X. I know most marvel fans thought this was the perfect selection and were surprised they got it so right. At the same time it made other selection poorest in comparison, because they got it so wrong (i.e., Halle Berry as storm, give me a break). Lets be honest here the whole issue we have with casting is that Hollywood often fails to select actors that reflect that character’s presence and/or these individuals can’t act. Anyways this is part one. If I get a good response from y’all I will release part two (so please have at it I love a good debate). I have comments on some, but others I left as is because either I felt the picks were so good or I just didn't feel like it.
Professor X - Patrick Stewart and Wentworth Miller (young version)
This was easy, let’s be honest there is no one better to play this part. Patrick Stewart is a versed in all arenas of acting; voice over, movies, TV, and the stage. He has a dominate personality, but is father like figure. Patrick Stewart has the chops to play that type character. Just for fun thought I picked a young version of Professor X that would be perfect.
Wolverine - Jason Michael Statham
I know this is blasphemous, but I never thought and still do not thing Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. He looks like a star and that is about it. He proved how wrong he was with the origin movie this past summer. Please check out Jason Michael Statham works, he is a really good actor (he does a lot more than action flix). More importantly, he is Wolverine! Wolverine is one of the most intriguing characters in comic book history (that is still alive). He is a tragic, brooding, tortured, cut throat, merciless, compassionate, intense, animalistic and relentless individual. He is also short, compact, killing machine that knows so much about fighting that he is responsible for training the best fighters in the Marvel Universe. To be honest I do not think I have to justify this pick, but check out his movies and tell me you do not feel me on this pick.
Jean Grey – Christina Hendricks and Laura Prepon
This was a difficult selection but I found two actresses that would embody this pivotal character in the marvel universe. In addition, I had to consider these actresses chemistry with the Scott Summers actors. Could I see this character honestly working with characters I picked as Scott? Could they be seen as soul mates?
Cyclops – Matthew Fox and/or Scott Porter (younger version)
I don’t think I have to explain this pick but if you haven’t seen LOST the series you probably don’t even like comics or any science fiction. Mathew Foxx as Jack is Scott Summers! He has the leadership qualities as well as the glaring insecurities and weakness that we have seen in Cyclops. I think Scott Porter exhibit this as well, just watch the first couple seasons of Friday Night Lights if you doubt my choice. In addition, I considered how these two actors would interact with the actresses I selected for Jean Grey.
Beast - Kelsey Grammer
No explanation needed
Iceman – Adam Brody
This was a hard one for me because Adam Brody can be such a cornball at times but he is ideal to be Iceman. I think a big part of Ice Man story is his difficulties with accepting himself even though he fronts as though he is cool with it. He also wants to be liked by everyone and is not as cocky as they portrayed him in the movies, especially when he was young. He also can be fun loving and a goofball, which he tries to shed later in his life so he taken more seriously. For a long time he battles with being seen as the “young one” because he was the youngest one to join the original X-men. Adam has the acting chops to present all the traits that I have mentioned.
Colossus – Ryan Hurst
I know Colossus presence is physical in nature and that would be the dominate factor in casting this character but I think that is wrong. I want someone who can act and is gruff then soft, which is often the representation of Colossus in his human form. In my manifestation I want someone who is quite but not gentle, Ryan Hurt can play sullen without being seen as evil.
Nightcrawler - Alan Cumming
Once again, no explanation needed.
Shadowcat - Camilla Belle
Shadowcat has two very dichotomous sides to her, she is loving and sensitive, but she also is cunning and deadly, otherwise she wouldn’t have been an agent of SHIELD. In addition, she has the heart and patience to eventually be an instructor for young X-men. This actresses has the range to play both parts of Kitty Pryde, while still having a sex appeal. In the comics she is beautiful and sexy, but the other manifestation of her in the small and big screen negate this aspect of her. I selected a younger version because of the actor I chose to play Colosus, I thought their age should be closer because in the comic book world they grow together while also for lengthy periods time they grew while apart from each other. If you have seen this actress in PUSH or When a Stranger Calls you can see that she has the acting chops to pull this off.
Storm – Gina Torres
Very simply put Storm is a queen and is seen as a god in many story lines. Why have some pretty no-talent African American girl/women play her? Storm speaks in a very regal manner and is often known for how she addresses others, it is a form of pontification that is not heard in typical conversation. Her presence is one of legend, but this was not demonstrated by Halle Berry in the least. I mean come on, this women is so beautiful and so powerful that it almost seemed as though the Black Panther was marrying up(the king of one the most powerful nations in the Marvel Universe)!
Rogue - Adrianne Palicki
Just watch Friday Night Lights and you’ll see that she is the perfect actress to play this part. In addition, she is young but not too young to be seen as inappropriate for the actor who I selected to play Gambit. Rogue is sexy, strong, and vulnerable as hell because she is her own prisoner. Adrianne is Rogue in Friday Night Lights and she can pull of the southern accent.
Emma Frost – Jeri Ryan,
I don’t think I need an explanation for this pick but if you watched her in Boston Public (circa 2000-2004 on FOX) or her as 7 of 9 in the later seasons Star Trek Voyager you should feel me on this pick. Emma Frost knows she’s sexy and powerful and believes that she has the right to use these traits to get what she wants. Yet, she also has a side of her that is good. She understands that she has a responsibility to use her power or gifts to help other mutants; this eventually leads her to joining the X-men and being a head mistress of the institute. In addition, this is the same woman who replaces Jean Gray as Cyclops’ love interests; so her seductive, passionate, and loving nature has to be strong enough to compete with a woman that was Scott Summer’s soul mate.
Jubilee – Jessica Parker Kennedy
She was in the last two seasons of Smallville, she is young naïve and cute, but has a little edge to her. She also appears to be innocent and witty enough for a gruff Wolverine to fall for her in a little sister big brother kind of way.
******From this point on fewer description/rational for my selection, I will refer to roles they’ve played******
Forge - Alexander Siddig
This man has been in so many movies I can’t imagine why anyone would have a problem with him being Forge, his depth as a actor is unquestionable. Seriously though, I see Forge as this debonair, but also genius, which is beneficial for himself as technician and a ladies’ man. These traits at times get the best of him and he make serious mistakes that have hurt those he cares about, but he is invaluable as team member and overall has a good heart so he is not seen in a bad light.
Havok - Charlie Hunnam and Joel Gretsch
Like his brother, Havok is a leader, but unlike his brother he is not as comfortable in the role because of his own demons. One of these demons has been his inability to control the destructive powers he possesses, this has caused him much anguish. Though he battles with these many conflicts he is passionate and is determined in whatever tasks he or others place in front him. Charlie Hunnam in Sons of Anarchy is perfect for this part. Also Joel Gretsch, I can say 4400, enough said.
Warren Worthington III (Angel) - Christopher Egan
Christopher Egan has been in many roles including the short lived but critically acclaimed Kings. I really believe that he could play this fall from grace character that Angel becomes when he is part of the four horsemen. I can also see him playing the angelic hero with grace that he was and comes again after time as the blue angel.
Gambit – Brad Pitt
I don’t know what to say about this other than I can’t believe I thought of this and I can’t wait for the responses. Actually I lied I can say a lot. Gambit is the most charming, debonair, instinctive, and the most underrated fighter in the X-men world. His history is beyond complex and his sex appeal is only matched by the women in the Marvel Universe. He is like the prince of thieves but at the same time he is so slick that he could convince a person it is a good idea to wear a coat while swimming in the Bahamas in August. Who can play this part better than Brad Pitt? And yes he could pull off the accent remember Interview with a Vampire.
Bishop – Ving Rhames
Do I really have to explain why he is would be perfect for this role, no I didn’t think so.
Cable -- Chance Kelly
Watch the first season of Fringe and Generation Kill, nough said.
Psylocke – Kristen Kreuk
Who doesn’t want to see Kristen Kreuk actually use her sex appeal for extended period of time? She is also smart and seductive, which basically describes Psylocke to a T.
Cannonball - Ryan Kwanten
By the way Rorschach01 I noticed we had the same choice when I was looking for pix of cannonball, so take it as a compliment, as they say “great minds think alike”.
Banshee -- Sean Bean
Just thought he could play the part and pull off the accent.
Callisto-- Michelle Rodriguez
No explanation needed