It’s Been 22 Years Since “X-Men”, So I Recasted The Film In Hopes For Another

Yes, I know that Chiwetel has already been in the MCU, but actors have appeared as more than one character in the past right? Since his character (and that awful wig) are dead, why not step into a new role?! Chiwetel exudes professor, everything about him screams tweed blazer (in a good way), he’s an already loved British actor and, he has the right head shape to pull off a bald cap.

The rumours are saying Giancarlo Esposito will be playing Charles Xavier, but something about Giancarlo playing the “good” guy doesn’t sit right with me. Magneto, just like Giancarlo, is everyone’s favourite villain – similar to Thanos there is a clear logic behind his actions, the actions however are cruel and harmful.

When thinking about Wolverine, I thought “who looks like they can rip me apart with ease?” and naturally, I landed on Jonathan Majors. Wolverine has a hard exterior built through years of trauma, but deep down he just wants love. With incredible acting skills plus a body built by Gods, Jonathan Majors is the only logical person to be cast in this role. 

I could recast Halle Berry as Storm because it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing her, but it’s time for the new school to have a chance and it could only be MY favourite up-and-comer, Lovie Simone. They both have African heritage and were both raised in New York – Lovie was made to play Storm! And then hopefully we would also get to see Lovie make an appearance in Black Panther, because IYKYK.

Jean Grey is THE most powerful mutant (debate me) so whoever is playing her needs to exude strength and confidence, therefore it has to be Naomie Harris. Naomie has incredible range, from Bond to Moonlight, she’ll have no issues in embodying the complexities of a class five mutant.

Even though he has a bit of a dark past, Cyclops is the goodie two shoes of the group, he wears his heart on his sleeve but isn’t afraid to tussle when it gets down to it. To play Cyclops you need range, and that’s exactly what Kelvin Harisson Jr. has. We’re yet to really see Cyclops take centre stage in ANY of the X-Men films, Kelvin would deliver a performance so breathtaking they would have no choice but to put him in the spotlight.

In the films, Rogue is the baby of the group that struggles with her mutant identity – among everything else teenage girls struggle with – which is why she could be perfectly played by Willow Smith. Unlike her brother, Willow isn’t known for her acting, but I know she can relate to a girl that struggles with her identity because you hear it in her music. This would be the perfect breakout role for Willow Smith, and I would love to see a Rogue with a shaved head.

I think we can all agree that the best version of Beast is from Fox’s X-Men ’97, he was such a loveable character and I believe Jordan Stephens can bring that back. Jordan has a natural whimsical charm but his performance in Glue showed that he has the ability to pull on emotions to push his characters forward. Another perfect casting.

This was hard for me to recast, I’ve been back and forth with multiple people because I am and always will be obsessed with Mystique. Mystique doesn’t just walk, she glides – every movement is poised and mesmerising, which is why I’ve cast Tati Gabrielle for this role. Tati’s role in Chilling Adventure of Sabrina is exactly how I imagine a modern Mystique. A sexually empowered woman that will destroy anything that gets in her way.

In my version of the recasting, we will acknowledge that Quicksilver is indeed Magneto’s son, therefore they should have a little bit of a resemblance, which is why I’ve chosen RJ Cyler. Quicksilver has a boyish charm and provides the jokes in times of stress, and we’ve seen this from RJ in The Harder They Fall and Me, Earl And The Dying Girl. Plus we already know RJ has the physical ability to play this role from his Power Rangers performance. Another perfect casting by me.