Fan’s “Controversial” Take On Why Casting a Black Actor as Charles Xavier Would Not Work

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As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the expansive universe of comic books and superheroes, I find myself intrigued by this ongoing debate about the racial representation of Charles Xavier in the MCU. Having grown up with Professor X as one of my favorite mentors, I must admit that the idea of a Black X-Men team is an exciting prospect, pushing the boundaries of diversity and representation within popular media.

Following the premiere of “Deadpool & Wolverine“, Kevin Feige has signaled the beginning of the mutant phase within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Previously, certain X-Men and mutants have made appearances in various MCU productions; however, the imminent live-action reboot of X-Men will feature an entirely fresh ensemble of actors.

Previously in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” Professor X, who was played by Patrick Stewart, appeared as a different version of the character – an Illuminati member. However, this incarnation of the professor met his demise at the hands of Scarlet Witch.

Originally, Patrick Stewart and John Krasinski weren’t planned to play Charles Xavier and Mr. Fantastic respectively in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now, fans have been proposing alternative actors for these roles in upcoming MCU projects. Given Marvel’s current focus on diversity, some of the suggested candidates are Black actors like David Oyelowo and Courtney B. Vance.

Advocates for this acting selection claim that the characters Xavier and Magneto are analogous to Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X respectively. However, Chris Claremont, their creator, has not only recognized these similarities but also highlighted other sources of inspiration in his portrayal of the X-Men.

Generally, changing a character’s race might spark debates, not because the role itself is affected by this change, but because people tend to be resistant to new things. When these changes are handled skillfully, as in the case of Nick Fury, they’re usually met with approval. However, if diversity seems to be the only reason for such a switch, it could provoke negative reactions.

In other words, there’s a debate about whether it’s appropriate for Professor X in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to be played by an actor of African descent, based on some people’s view that his race is crucial to his character and he should remain white as originally portrayed.

Personal Perspective: Unconventional Take: I believe Charles Xavier, in the comic book universe, should have been portrayed as white. This stems from the idea that his lack of personal experience with racism makes him less relatable when it comes to understanding and combating racial prejudice. Conversely, Magneto, being Jewish, serves as a compelling counterpoint, embodying the struggles and pain of those who have faced systemic discrimination.

— matzz (@matzzm_) August 25, 2024

The primary point being made is that Charles Xavier hails from a position of affluence and has never experienced racism in his life. In the comic books, Xavier is portrayed as being born into a wealthy family with an accomplished father. Although he has suffered personal hardships, these are not rooted in racial or socio-economic prejudice. Instead, his wealth, which was initially used for personal gain, later became instrumental in founding the X-Men and ultimately transformed his privilege into a powerful tool for good.

Regardless of the prejudice he encounters due to being a mutant, Xavier has the ability to hide his unique traits. This enables him to seamlessly integrate within society, keeping his mutant identity under wraps and thereby evading discrimination solely based on his mutation.

Instead of the original suggestion, it was proposed that the character Magneto, who has a Jewish background and endured racism during the Holocaust, could be depicted as African American. Given his history of facing discrimination, this representation might align more accurately with the Black experience rather than Xavier’s background.

Some fans supported this perspective in the comments.

It seems clearer if we say: Watching his origin movies suggests that he’s probably Caucasian. There’s an air of arrogance about him that seems to stem from a privileged background, which is often associated with being white. Additionally, the character Eric being Jewish might contribute to this portrayal as well.

— Howard Baker (@howiebakerr) August 25, 2024

Previously, I penned down thoughts about Professor X being Caucasian. It’s refreshing to note that others share similar views on this matter.

— II HANDS II HELL (@johnnywave_) August 25, 2024

In a different wording: I presented this point, and it sparked a series of counterarguments. Some people argue that race is not significant or, on occasion, it logically fits better. For instance, Angel being biracial seems reasonable. He’s the character the family isolates from the rest of…

— BurgessBoston (@BurgessBoston) August 25, 2024

It hadn’t occurred to me before your tweet, but you make a valid point. He embodies the essence of white privilege and serves as a living example of the white savior complex. His call for “equality” suggests that he hasn’t truly experienced oppression; instead, he’s merely a spectator. Additionally, he was involved in… (the last part is left ambiguous due to the original statement not specifying a specific action)

— High Brow Negro (@writtenbychamp) August 25, 2024

Kinda here for you on this. The essence of the character requires some level of blindness

— Nary (@binarydances) August 25, 2024

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2024-08-28 12:44