Recasting Original X-Men Movie If It Came Out Today
2. Mark Strong - Professor X
Mark Strong is the second person on this list with a superhero flop under their belt after 2011's Green Lantern, but as Hal Jordan's mentor Sinestro, he was one of the best things about the movie.
That was no easy feat, either. With all that CGI and all that green screen, it would have been tough to deliver a convincing performance, but he did it, which speaks volumes to his talent as an actor.
Huge blockbusters aside, some of his best work can be found in Body Of Lies, Kick-Ass and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, three vastly different characters that are all confidently portrayed, finely demonstrating Strong's versatility.
With that in mind, he'd surely have no trouble stepping into Professor Xavier's shoes. He's got the right feel - complete with bald head and commanding voice - to make the part work, and age is on his side.
Strong is only one year younger than Fiennes, and since X-Men is about the relationship between Erik and Charles, it will help that they're a similar age to further highlight the parallels between the two (both just want mutants to be accepted, for instance).