At the end of November
Bryan Singer tweeted that Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier) and Ian McKellen were coming back for the next
X-Men film, but at the beginning of this month, Patrick Stewart put a bit of cold water on that announcement when he told
Entertainment Weekly, "For me the big thrill is knowing that Bryan Singer is attached to this movie, because not only is he a brilliant director, but also I adore him and hope that it might be true and that we do work together at some point in the future. But I’m not being coy. I know nothing about this project. I have not signed a contract yet. I know there is a project in development, but we have no dates. No detailed casting."
Over the past few months Stewart has played with the media, giving a nod or a coy smile when asked if he would return, or even giving an oral confirmation, but having it cutoff just before he can finish his sentence. I think there is no disguising what we already know, Patrick Stewart is coming back to play 'Professor X' once more.
His most recent interview is with
L.A. Times' Hero Complex and Stewart rehashes much of the same language, but this time there are some slight differences. Take special note of the lines "I’m very happy that my lovely friend Ian McKellen is going to be with me" and "I have a vague idea of the time commitments." That to me sure sounds like he is officially on board. Thoughts?
HC:
You gave an interview recently in which you said you had no knowledge of the new “X-Men” movie. Any updates you might be able to share?
PS:
I’m very happy to report that Bryan Singer is coming back to direct the movie. I’m very happy that my lovely friend Ian McKellen is going to be with me. I don’t know anyone else who is to be involved in the project. Maybe it’s just the two of us! That would be a movie! Magneto and Xavier’s conversations…. I’m not being cute. That’s all I know. Maybe once the holidays are over, more information will begin to come through. I have a vague idea of the time commitments, but I don’t know where we’re going to shoot. But I’m greatly looking forward to it.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past will be directed by Bryan Singer ("Usual Suspects"), the cast includes Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, January Jones, Sean Cassidy, Álex González, Jason Flemyng, Zoe Kravitz, Lucas Till and Nicholas Hault. Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart are expected to join the cast as well, but deals are not yet finalized. The film will hit theaters July 18, 2014.