It almost feels like the world has forgotten about the X-Men. After the Fox/Disney merger that will bring the X-Men into the MCU, but we still can't be certain of how relevant they will be alongside characters like Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and The Incredible Hulk. Still, there are many X-Men fans out there that are praying for the day when their favorite characters are back on the big-screen and stealing Groot and Rocket Racoon's thunder. One of the ways that the X-Men will return to their former glory is if they are re-cast with spectacular actors who can breathe life into them. In the past, many fantastic performers have portrayed the X-Men. But that doesn't mean they were always the best person for the job. At the very least, they were better options out there and still are today.
Fans all over the internet have provided images of some potential casting choices that could truly elevate the characters. This article will delve into some of the best examples that fans have come up with. Maybe the creative minds behind the future X-Men movies will take note of some of these phenomenal performers who could slip into the yellow spandex and save the world. Without further ado, here are 20 X-Men Fan Castings Better Than What We Got.
Naomie Harris As Storm
Naomie Harris would have been a wonderful choice for Storm. Halle Berry is one of the greatest actors of her generations but she wasn't really given a lot to do in her X-Men films. Additionally, there were some issues with her dialect throughout her films. Sometimes she sounded like she was from Africa and other times like she sounded like she was from the States. And then there's Alexandra Shipp who also hasn't been given all that much to do. But Naomie Harris is a scene-steeler. There's no way that she would let a moment get away from her.
This artist's rendering of Harris as Storm is also pretty incredible. Here she's portrayed as the full-on leader and action hero that she should be seen as.
Natalia Dyer As Kitty Pryde
Stranger Things' Natalia Dyer may actually be the ideal Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat. First of all, we can see that she would physically portray the role perfectly. She looks almost identical to the character from the comics. Dyer also shows a variety of different emotional angles on her famous Netflix show as well as in the array of independent films. This is important as Kitty Pryde is equal parts soft, kind, and innocent, as she is a ferocious, focused, and a leader.
Ellen Page did a good job as the character, but Dyer just seems like the more natural choice for the role. If they revamp the character, they may want to consider this wonderful young actor.
Jon Bernthal As Wolverine
Nobody is saying that anyone could have played Wolverine stronger than Hugh Jackman. But other actors could have played Wolverine better in certain X-Men movies such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men: Apocalypse. Aside from that, the character is about to be recast making a conversation about his replacement all the more relevant. Besides, it's amazing to see how many great choices fans are coming up with.
Jon Bernthal would be a wonderful replacement for the character. He has shown just how formidable he can be with The Punisher. He almost always comes across as the loner in his movies. The type of guy who accomplishes more on his own but who can up with others when need be. Therefore, he would be perfect for the role.
Alexandra Daddario As Rogue
Ever since she showed up on HBO's first season of True Detective, Alexandra Daddario has taken the world by storm. Fans want to see her in as many projects as possible. Of course, she is easy on the eyes, but she is also the type of actor who is capable of doing both comedy and drama within a single moment. She also has some of the most expressive eyes in Hollywood, which would give her an edge if she ever played Rogue.
Anna Paquin played a wonderful young version of the character. Someone who we could follow into the world of the X-Men. But Daddario matches the comic book version of the character. This is someone older and more experienced. A character who can both intrigue her enemies as well as intimidate them.
Kerry Washington As Storm
Storm has always been appealing as a character in part because of her leadership skills. A lot of this has to do with age and experience. Although X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix's Alexandra Shipp is a capable performer, someone like Kerry Washington better matches the comic book version of the character. Even though this fan-created her in the image of Halle Berry, one could easily see her slipping into a more current take on the character.
Scandal's Washington constantly shows the balance between heart and ruthlessness that the character of Storm needs. She is not just one or the other. From what we've seen so far, Berry's Storm is mostly kindly and soft while Shipp's version is just an action hero. Washington would find an equilibrium.
Charlie Heaton As Quicksilver
Evan Peters stole the show in his action scene in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Even though fans were wary about his casting (as well as his look), they were pleasantly surprised. However, after that, things sort of fizzled out with him. Although his may have more to do with the role that was written for him versus his performances. But one can't help but think that Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton would help alleviate the character.
Heaton can easily play the arrogant bully that the role of Quicksilver needs. But he is also a master at playing the sensitive outsider. This is the type of performance we need to see a young man who is just needing his father's love. Besides, Heaton looks pretty cool as the character.
Daniel Craig As Magneto
Sir Ian McKellan was and still is the perfect Magento. There isn't anyone who could have done what he did with the character. It's just too bad that he wasn't given more to do while he was playing him. Michael Fassbender is also a pretty incredible Master of Magnetism. But this fan seems to think that Daniel Craig would have been even better for the job. At the very least, he would make an adequate replacement for when the character is inevitably recast.
Craig is definitely due for a villainous turn. He's already shown that he can play an adequate leader. But his stone-cold eyes are ideal for a ruthless and equally inspiring villain. Like McKellan and Fassbender, Craig can find the nuance and complexity to the highly sympathetic and multi-dimensional villain.
Lily Collins As Scarlet Witch
If the world of the X-Men and the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are going to remain separate, Lily Collins would be a stellar choice for Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlett Witch. She is excellent at playing the removed, moody, and independent type. Although the MCU's Elizabeth Olsen can do these things as well, Collins somehow feels more comic-accurate.
This artists' take on the character feels more grounded in reality, which would have made more sense for James Mangold's Logan movie versus something like X-Men: Apocalypse or the MCU. Still, she could slip into any X-Men or Avengers universe if played correctly. The prolific Collins has shown that she can slip into practically any tone, whether it's gritty or not.
Hailee Steinfeld As Kitty Pryde
If X-Men filmmakers really wanted to capitalize off of the popularity of Kitty Pryde, they would cast someone who is equally as popular. Enter Oscar-nominated actor, singer, and mega-celebrity, Hailee Steinfeld. Of course, younger fans know her from her music and young adult movies, but the rest of us know her from films like True Grit where she easily went toe-to-toe with talents like Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, and Matt Damon. In short, Steinfeld has everything needed to make a character come to life. Match that with the popularity of the character herself and you have a winning combination. It's not that Oscar-nominee Ellen Page doesn't have the ability, but she doesn't quite match the character like Steinfeld would.
Keanu Reeves As Wolverine
When it comes to action hero, you don't get much bigger than The Matrix and John Wick star, Keanu Reeves. Wolverine is one of the most physical characters in the X-Men universe, so it makes sense that Reeves would be the one to play him. After all, Reeves loves doing his own stunts.
Nowadays, Reeves is almost as big of a star as he was when the first Matrix first came out. Chances are, he (as well as his original Matrix cast-mates, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne) are headed for even bigger stardom in the years to come. This means that Reeves would be a smart choice for the MCU and further X-Men films. He may not have the dynamic that Hugh Jackman has, but nobody looks more perfect on a motorcycle than Reeves.
