Matthew Vaughn has cast Scotsman
James McAvoy to play a young Professor Charles Xavier in
X-Men: First Class which begins shooting in a matter of weeks in London says a breaking news report at
The Hollywood Reporter. Unexpected casting, and not one that I'm completely behind (McAvoy has come across in his filmography as a little whiny and overcooked for me, but we'll see). Rumours are now circulating that
Kick-Ass actor
Aaron Johnson will play the young Magneto
after snaps were taken of McAvoy/Johnson/Vaughn last week in London. Though of course Johnson is already friends with Vaughn so maybe there's nothing to it but the casting sort of makes sense. He has the look, the dark intensity but although he doesn't look it, he's not 20 for another couple of weeks which probably rules him out. McAvoy is 31. From what we've heard before, Xavier is likely to be a major part of this prequel so McAvoy is probably the co-lead alongside whomever they cast as a young Erik Leshner/Magneto. No word on whether he will be going for the shaven head look but he has to right? It just wouldn't be Xavier without a chrome dome.
For those out of the loop, the movie is essentially 50%
the Magneto prequel we were promised for years with a heavy dose of Xavier and the origin of his institute thrown in as the other half. This will of course mean young Jean Grey, Beast, Cyclops, etc and their teenage 'coming of ages' woes appearing alongside the early experimentation of their powers. Think the Rogue storyline from the original but expanded over several characters. Vaughn's
Kick-Ass and
Stardust screenwriter
Jane Goldsman has put together a script based on
Bryan Singer's original concept. Incredibly,
X-Men: First Class will be in theatres
exactly 1 year and a week from now.