It is the end of an era for fans of the "X-Men" movie franchise. Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the movies, has announced that "Logan" will be his last outing as the powerful telepathic mutant.
The upcoming release of "Logan" has been putting fans in a whirlwind of emotions. First, the movie is being dubbed as Hugh Jackman's last movie as Wolverine. Now, Stewart confirms that he too is retiring as Professor X. The 76-year-old actor made the announcement during a chat with Jackman and "Logan" director James Mangold at the SirusXM town hall.
Stewart recalled that after a recent screening of "Logan," he and Jackman were crying when the credits rolled and the lights came up. He shared that at that time he realized that "there will never be a better, a more perfect, a more sensitive, emotional and beautiful way of saying au revoir to Charles Xavier than this movie."
"So, I told [Jackman] that same evening, 'I'm done too. It's all over," he told the audience, as quoted by EW.
Stewart played the role of Professor X in seven "X-Men" movies, making his debut as the character in 2000's "X-Men." After the original trilogy, he returned to the franchise in "X-Men: Days of Future Past."
The role of Professor X is shared between Stewart and James McAvoy, who plays the younger Charles Xavier in "X-Men: First Class," "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "X-Men: Apocalypse."
According to Screen Rant, McAvoy hinted that he might reprise his role as Professor X in "X-Men: Supernova" when he posted a photo of him having dinner with writer/producer Simon Kinberg. It is also rumored that McAvoy would appear in the spinoff "New Mutants." Filming for both upcoming films is said to begin simultaneously this year.
