Laurence Fishburne is ready to trade in the Matrix for Cerebro.
During a Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con, the 64-year-old actor surprised fans when he revealed his dream Marvel role, none other than Professor Charles Xavier, the telepathic leader of the X-Men.
“I know that they’re talking about the X-Men now,” Fishburne said to an excited crowd. “So, at this point, I want one of two things. The first thing would be: what do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?”
The crowd’s response? Immediate cheers. Moderator Josh Horowitz didn’t miss a beat, replying, “Approved. Greenlit!”
For many fans, the idea of Fishburne taking on the role of Professor X, previously portrayed by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy, feels like a natural fit.
Fishburne brings a quiet strength that mirrors Xavier’s leadership of the X-Men and his vision for peace between mutants and humans.
Professor Xavier is one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, with telepathic abilities that allow him to read and control minds, create illusions, and form psychic barriers. He’s the moral compass of the X-Men universe, and few actors carry the intellectual weight and authority to embody him as convincingly as Fishburne.
Fishburne is no stranger to comic book adaptations. He’s already appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr. Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp and voiced the Beyonder in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. He also lent his voice to Norrin Radd, a.k.a. the Silver Surfer, in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Still, the actor sees room for more. “At this point, I want one of two things,” he teased as h. “The first thing would be: what do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?”
As for the second dream role? Fishburne left it open-ended. “I don’t know, I’m gonna let you guys decide,” he admitted. “I can’t figure it out.”
When Horowitz suggested he join the Star Wars universe, Fishburne laughed it off. “No, I’m good,” he said. “I’m watching everything. I’m in the middle of Rebels now, man. I’m good on the couch with Star Wars. I don’t need a lightsaber. I don’t — pew pew! — I don’t need it.”
Marvel Studios is preparing to integrate the X-Men into the MCU for the first time since Disney’s 2019 merger with Fox. Marvel chief Kevin Feige confirmed earlier this year that the team will be fully recast following Avengers: Secret Wars.
Before that transition, however, several legacy actors from Fox’s X-Men era, including Stewart, McAvoy, and Kelsey Grammer, are expected to make appearances in Avengers: Doomsday, further bridging the gap between universes.
