James McAvoy has publicly reacted to Christopher Abbott taking over the role of Professor Charles Xavier in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men movie. Rather than expressing reservations about the recasting, McAvoy offered a brief message of support for Abbott and the rest of the new cast.
The actor addressed the casting during a visit to Entertainment Weekly’s studio at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2026, while promoting a different project. His comments arrive only weeks after Marvel officially revealed Abbott as the new Professor X at D23.
McAvoy Wishes Abbott Well in the Iconic Role
When asked about Abbott stepping into the role he previously played, McAvoy kept his response simple.
“Good luck to him! Good luck, good luck, good luck. I just wish them well and good luck.”
McAvoy also made it clear that he was at TIFF to promote another film and did not intend to spend much time discussing Marvel’s upcoming project. He added that Marvel has a “massive publicity machine” capable of promoting without needing his involvement. His comments were reported by Entertainment Weekly, which spoke with him during the festival.
The response is significant because McAvoy remains closely associated with the younger version of Xavier. He first portrayed the character in 2011’s X-Men: First Class and returned for X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix.
Christopher Abbott Is Taking Xavier Into a New Era
Abbott now inherits one of the most recognizable characters from the X-Men universe. His version of Xavier will be part of Marvel Studios’ new generation of mutants rather than a continuation of the Fox prequel films.
Marvel officially announced Abbott alongside Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Inde Navarrette as Rogue. Adam Driver is also joining the film as the villainous Mister Sinister. Asa Germann has subsequently been announced as Angel.
Abbott’s casting also gives Marvel an opportunity to establish a different interpretation of Xavier. Patrick Stewart previously played the older version of the character throughout the original Fox franchise, while McAvoy portrayed Xavier during his younger years. Stewart is expected to return as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday, meaning audiences will see another version of the character before Marvel’s new X-Men era fully takes shape.
