This Look At Giancarlo Esposito As Professor X Is Mind-Bending
Ever since Disney purchased 20th Century Fox, which held the film rights to the X-Men's corner of the Marvel Universe, fans have been anticipating who might play the Marvel Cinematic Universe's versions of characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Professor X.
One of those fans is none other than legendary actor Giancarlo Esposito, the man behind such characters as Buggin' Out from "Do the Right Thing" and Gustavo Fring from "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul." Esposito recently revealed that he approached Marvel himself about playing Charles Xavier in the MCU, a prospect that garnered a positive response from fans online. And why not? Esposito has amply proved that he has both the gravitas and star power to embody one of the most important figures in the Marvel Universe — and some fan art depicting him in the role proves he'd be a good fit for the character visually as well.
The fan art shows that Esposito would be perfect as Professor X
Courtesy of fan art creator Rahal Nejraoui on Instagram, we don't have to simply imagine what Giancarlo Esposito might look like in the role of powerful mutant telepath Professor Charles Xavier, better known as Professor X. The art depicts Esposito in a well-tailored suit and sitting on a high-tech motorized wheelchair in a visual style that seems closer to the original "X-Men" film franchise than what we'd see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — but it still serves to illustrate that Esposito would make a great Professor X, and he might not even have to shave his head bald to make the character convincing (although he probably would anyway).
Now, for the bad news: Esposito has also stated that the people at Marvel weren't quite ready to sign him on for Professor X. As he put it: "I finally had to have my people call Marvel and explain that, you know, this is a fan want and we'd love to work with you and they aren't quite ready to get into that conversation. But when they are, I am here."
In the meantime, Esposito is staying busy whether or not he ever gets to sit in Professor X's famous wheelchair. One upcoming project is an American remake of the British series "The Driver," reportedly set to hit AMC sometime next year and which will also star Amanda Brugel and Skeet Ulrich.