MCU X-Men: Another Original Star Wants Back into the Marvel Series: ‘I’d Be So Shocked’
Fans are busy speculating what the X-Men will look like when they inevitably return to the big screen. But as of now, we don’t know what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has in mind for the MCU X-Men.
After all, rumors abound about how Sony’s Spider-Man movies and the DC Extended Universe will embrace the multiverse. And with the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel bringing that concept into the MCU, all bets are off.
To that end, another star of Fox’s X-Men series is willing to reprise his role.
Marvel Studios has not announced its plans for the MCU X-Men
Over the course of its 12-movie run, Fox’s X-Men series has faced more than its fair share of problems. Hardcore fans of the comics have consistently complained about the liberties taken with the source material. And several of the movies — including 2019’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix — have been poorly received by audiences and critics.
However, the best sign that Marvel Studios might plan on starting fresh is the convoluted timeline the X-Men movies have created. After the initial trilogy, Fox released a four-part prequel/reboot series as well as solo spin-offs for Wolverine and Deadpool. And none of these individual offshoots really fit together narratively.
Because of that, many fans have assumed the MCU X-Men would cut ties with everything that’s come before. But Marvel Studios hasn’t made any official announcement about what it plans to do with the Marvel mutants. Will the MCU X-Men — much like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man — offer its own distinct take, or will elements of the past creep into the new version?
One star of the 2000 ‘X-Men’ movie is open to reprising his role
As Marvel supposedly gets its plans in order, the world anxiously awaits an update on the MCU X-Men. In the meantime, fans and past stars have weighed in. Dafne Keen — who plays Laura Kinney aka X-23 in Logan — has said she would “absolutely” reprise X-23 for the MCU. Now another star of the Fox series has said he would return too.
In a recent interview with Inverse, actor Bruce Davison addressed whether he would be open to a Marvel movie comeback. Davison memorably played Senator Robert Kelly in 2000’s X-Men and again briefly in 2003’s X2: X-Men United. And although the actor said he’s “not really interested” in Disney’s supposed reboot, he remains open to participating in a new X-Men project.
“I’d drop dead. I’d be so shocked,” Davison said. “I’d be more than happy to do anything that had to do with that, but I certainly ain’t holding my breath.” But with the MCU possibly cherry-picking elements of past franchises, is a return for Davison’s Senator Kelly really so unfathomable?
The MCU established a precedent for supporting players returning
After all, Spider-Man: Far From Home featured the shocking return of J.K. Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson. Simmons, of course, played the same role in Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man trilogy. And much like Jameson represents the public threat to Spider-Man, so does Senator Kelly to the X-Men.
In the comics, Senator Kelly is a vocal opponent to the mutants. And in the original X-Men, Davison’s version proposes the Mutant Registration Act. Even if the MCU X-Men mostly starts fresh, bringing Davison in to play a similar role could be a clever nod to past X-Men movies.
Besides, the MCU X-Men might not be as disconnected as fans might think. If reports Evan Peters — who played Quicksilver in Fox’s X-Men series — is joining the MCU hold true, Marvel Studios might have something much more ambitious in mind than a straight reboot of the X-Men.
