James McAvoy Breaks His Silence on Christopher Abbott Becoming the New Professor X in McU’s X-Men Reboot
Marvel’s mutant reboot has been dominating headlines for weeks now, ever since the studio finally pulled back the curtain on its new roster of X-Men. Between casting reveals, set photos, and a steady drip of fan speculation, the project has become one of the most closely watched pieces of the post-Multiverse Saga era.
That scrutiny has been especially intense around one role in particular. Professor Charles Xavier has been portrayed on screen by two very different actors, and any new face stepping into his wheelchair was always going to invite comparison, nostalgia, and more than a little online debate.
Now the man most associated with a younger version of the character has finally weighed in. James McAvoy addressed Christopher Abbott’s casting as the new Professor X during a visit to Entertainment Weekly’s studio at the Toronto International Film Festival, offering a warm show of support for the actor taking over his old role.
Speaking with the outlet, McAvoy kept things simple and encouraging rather than territorial. He told Abbott and the rest of the incoming cast, “Good luck to him! Good luck, good luck, good luck,” a message Entertainment Weekly reported came during his Friday studio appearance.
McAvoy didn’t stop there, adding that he simply wishes the new team well as they take on the franchise. He also pointed out that Marvel doesn’t need much help getting the word out, noting the studio’s enormous promotional apparatus and joking that he was there to promote an entirely different film of his own.
Abbott’s casting was confirmed alongside several other key roles at Disney’s D23 fan event, where Marvel unveiled the full ensemble for its new ‘X-Men’ film. Sadie Sink is set to play Jean Grey, joined by Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Inde Navarrette as Rogue, with Adam Driver also announced in a villainous role.
The film marks the first ‘X-Men’ movie built from the ground up as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, rather than continuing the standalone franchise McAvoy helped define. Jake Schreier is directing, and the movie is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 5, 2028.
McAvoy first stepped into Charles Xavier’s shoes in ‘X-Men: First Class’ back when Fox rebooted the franchise’s origins, later reprising the role in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ and ‘X-Men: Apocalypse.’ His performances helped anchor the prequel trilogy and gave the character a more youthful, hot-tempered edge compared to Patrick Stewart’s earlier, more composed portrayal.
Stewart, for his part, isn’t disappearing from the role entirely. He’s set to reprise Professor X once again in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ continuing the character’s multiversal presence even as Marvel builds out a separate, recast version for the new timeline.
Reaction to Abbott’s casting has been mixed since the announcement first broke, with some fans expressing hesitation about seeing anyone other than McAvoy or Stewart in the role. Social media chatter following the reveal included plenty of skepticism, alongside curiosity about how Abbott, known for darker, more intense performances, might reshape the character.
That uncertainty makes McAvoy’s public blessing feel meaningful to longtime fans of the Fox-era films. Rather than lament the end of an era or shade the new production, he chose to frame the transition as something to be excited about, even while acknowledging the pressure that comes with stepping into such a recognizable part.
It’s also a reminder that this kind of generational handoff isn’t new territory for superhero franchises, even if it always stirs debate. As ‘X-Men’ moves further into production, all eyes will remain on how Abbott approaches a character so deeply associated with two previous performances.
For now, McAvoy’s message offers a rare bit of goodwill in a casting cycle that has otherwise been defined by fan anxiety and online arguments. Whether that goodwill translates into a warmer reception once actual footage arrives remains to be seen.
What do you think of Christopher Abbott taking over as Professor X in the new X-Men?
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