If we're gonna cast X-Men with actors from the 60s, why not give it a go on the X-Men movie that is actually set in the 60s?
What's interesting about taking this approach with
First Class is that you have to cast based on the actors in the movie much more than the characters from the comics they're based on, especially when it comes to the three leads.
Roddy McDowell as CHARLES XAVIER
It was down to him or Michael York, but I decided York was just too young at the time.
Laurence Harvey as ERIK LENSHERR
This is the one that got me started. Imagining all of Erik's scenes with Harvey's quiet intensity gets me all giddy.
Candice Bergen as RAVEN/MYSTIQUE
David Ogden Stiers as HANK McCOY/BEAST
This one's kind of a cheat since he didn't start acting on TV and film till the early 70s, but damnit, he's perfectly perfect in every way.
Tucker Smith as ALEX SUMMERS/HAVOK
Be cool, Beast!
James Aubrey as SEAN CASSIDY/BANSHEE
Diahann Carroll as ANGEL SALVATORE
Cleavon Little as DARWIN
This one's so good it hurts.
Suzanne Plachette as MOIRA MacTAGGERT
Maximillian Schell as SEBASTIAN SHAW
Diana Rigg as EMMA FROST
Hardy Kruger as AZAZEL
I could also see him as Nightcrawler
Valentin de Vargas as RIPTIDE
Who knew there'd be a perfect guy for Riptide, of all people?
Well, that was fun. But wait, THERE'S MORE!
Check out my
60's-era X-MEN: THE MOVIE cast if you haven't yet, or you can continue on to my cast picks for
60's-X-Men based on the classic comics!