This X-Men would be very different from the others (disregarding X-Men: First Class). This would focus on leadership within the group, and all of the characters learning their place and learning to work as a team.
Matthew Bomer as Scott Summers A.K.A Cyclops
Cyclops would serve as the protagonist of the story, considering none of the other films have ever really done him justice, and he is the X-Men Golden Boy. The story revolves around Cyclop's integration into the X-Men and his rise to leader of the team. Storm would be serving as first in command when is he is initially recruited. Obviously there would be conflicts of power between some of the team members. Bomer gets the pick because - he is a brilliant actor, and he also looks the part. He is charming (like Scott) and I believe has the capability to pull of the leader and the lead role.
Keira Knightley as Jean Grey
Jean Grey would (as usual) serve as the primary love interest in the story - specifically Scott's. There would be no focus or even mention of the Phoenix story arc. Her and Storm would act somewhat as the Professor's confidantes in the story. Those that he depend on, and ultimately trust in. Keira landed this spot firstly on her name. If this were a movie, an A-list actresses's name would go a long way in promotion. She also has the same elegance as Jean, not to mention she similar characteristics. She could nail this performance, as long as she did not dominate the screen (which my story doesn't require anyhow)
Ryan Kwanten as Sam Guthrie A.K.A Cannonball
One of the most likeable things about the X-Men is the magnitude of it. There are so many characters and so many of them are loveable. I think it is important that some of the more shadowed characters of the X-Men Universe get at least sometime in the spotlight. Also its good to mix things up a bit on occasion. So enter one of my personal favourites Cannonball. He would serve as the close friend for Scott, kind of like a lead supporting role. Kwanten gets my vote because a) I love him on Trueblood and b) he's got the looks, he's got the build,he has the charisma of Cannonball and he's got the chops to come through with it all.
Naomi Harris as Ororo Munroe A.K.A Storm
Storm would originally serve as second in command in the team, however, after a certain tragedy be promoted to Team Leader. There would be a lot of tension between her and Scott, as they are both excellent leaders - the only difference being that Storm can only lead by example, she doesn't have the level headedness and certainty in her decisions that Scott possesses. This is also her major fault, and the direct cause to her inevitable downfall within the group. Naomi gets the pick because well Storm's character deserves more than just the eye candy sex appeal (Halle Berry) she is a character with a lot of layers to her and thus needs a very capable stern actress, which Naomi Harris has proved to be in 28 Days Later. Not to mention she is still gorgeous.
Eliza Dushku as Rogue
Instead of seeing the anti-social, over emotional Rogue we are used to. This Rogue is more involved with the whole team dynamic and is extremely eager to be even more involved. However, she is still coming to terms with her abilities and does not fully understand herself and does not know what she wants. Frustration often consumes her with her inability to touch and have absolute control over her powers. Her on and off boyfriend Gambit seems to be the only thing that keeps her from degenerating into the unstable, occasionally unlikeable character we are so familiar with from the other films. Eliza Dushku was practically born to play this role, she can be so dynamic with her acting that all of Rogue's mood swings should be a cake walk. Again with looking the part.
Josh Holloway as Remi LeBeau A.K.A Gambit
The rebel of the team. Gambit is very much a loose cannon when it comes to the X-Men. He is extremely unpredictable and often fraternises with the enemy. Professor X is also very weary of Gambit's presence among the group, as he only sees him as a misfit and a gun for hire. However, his emotional ties to Rogue are what keep roping him back in. Eventually though, things are made pretty clear that he has to pick sides. And if he wants to be one of the X-Men he has to act like one of them. Holloway is a very underrated actor, other than his magnificent run on the show Lost (which I personally am not really a fan of) he is relatively unknown. He looks the part of Gambit and also has that ominous aura about him that is much required for the role.
Emmy Rossum as Kitty Pryde A.K.A Shadowcat
The team sweetheart, and very much the heart of the team. Shadowcat embodies the innocence of the team and is the constant reminder of what everyone is fighting for. She is the easiest going of all the team members, and as a result has the least confrontations. She is the glue that holds everyone together - she's fundamental to their success, without her the X-Men would crumble. There are also romantic vibes between her and her comrade Cannonball (which is non-canonical I know... but hey what the heck). Rossum deserves this role, she sums up everything that I have just listed Kitty Pryde is. Not to mention she can give a stellar performance, she just needs the chance to.
Noah Huntley as John Proudstar A.K.A Thunderbird
Not a very important role, but core to the story. Remember what I said about some of the downplayed characters within the X-Men Universe getting more screen time? Well that's exactly what Thunderbird is. He acts as the original team leader of the X-Men - and a fairly good one at that - but after a certain tragedy he perishes, leaving the team grief stricken and fractured. Cue Storm's promotion to team leader and Scott's recruitment. This is would act as one of (if not the) the opening scenes, and I know it is an unusual way to start a superhero story about people working together properly, but I believe it is needed for the final catharsis. From little things big things grow. Not to mention Thunderbird's death is also canonical. Huntley is a very strong in the shadows actor, and has the commanding look about him that is needed to pull off 'first team leader'.
Daniel Day Lewis as Charles Xavier A.K.A Professor X
The mastermind behind the grand plan. The strong willed, telepathic, commander of the X-Men. In many ways Prof. X is a prophet among mutants and his recruitment of such diverse and interesting characters into his team called the X-Men is a step forward to the world that he hopes for. However, his role in the story would be downplayed significantly, in order to let each one of the characters develop properly and be given a chance to show their true qualities. He would act as a sort of behind the scenes person, who is also there when needed and is ever reliable and always over-watching. Daniel Day Lewis is cast in this role because, well honestly it was originally Liam Neeson, but he is becoming too mainstream to redefine the character, so I tried to be a little bit different. Daniel Day Lewis would have been second choice after Neeson anyway, and he was, I think this recasting is for the better.
Jason Isaacs as Mr. Sinister
The heartless villain behind this story. Mr. Sinister, a genius geneticist, has very dire plans the X-Men and everyone they are sworn to protect. I like this choice of villain as opposed to the overused Magneto. He would have to be portrayed as utterly ruthless and malevolent. Not a pleasant bone in this man's genetically modified body. He is very sinister indeed.... hence the name.... Isaacs gets the role because he is an outstanding actor and as much as you may dislike Harry Potter he absolutely nailed the cold bastard role with Lucius Malfoy. And cold and calculating is exactly what he would need to be to pull of Sinister.
No Wolvey, because I think that his character is overrated (I still love him) and was never supposed to be the X-Men icon. So just like in X-Men: First Class a bit of shadowing over his character is for the best.
So there you have it. My recast for my ideal reboot. Hope you enjoy, comment below! Thanks for reading! Peace out.