Laurence Fishburne Is Open To Playing Charles Xavier In ‘X-Men’ Reboot & Shuts Down Joining ‘Star Wars’ Universe

Laurence Fishburne is clear about which film franchise he would like to join, and he made it known at New York Comic Con.

The Matrix actor made it known that he is open to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as X-Men gets a reboot, but is not keen on the idea of joining the Star Wars universe.

“I know that they’re talking about the X-Men now,” Fishburne said during a panel at the convention. “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?”

Marvel’s Kevin Feige confirmed that the studio is working on a reboot of X-Men with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier set to helm the film.

When Disney and 20th Century Fox merged in 2019, the X-Men characters became available to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some of the actors who were in the Fox films will reprise their roles for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film, set to be released on December 18, 2026.

Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men, also known as Professor X, has been played by Patrick Stewart in the live-action films. He will reprise his role in Doomsday, which is said to wrap that saga of characters, alongside Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), James Marsden (Cyclops), and Channing Tatum (Gambit).

During the NYCC panel, it was suggested Fishburne could also have potential in the Star Wars universe, the actor swiftly said, “No, I’m good.”

“I’m watching everything. I’m watching every Star Wars, I’m in the middle of Rebels now, man,” he added. “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.”