Professor X Casting for Marvel’s X-MEN Reboot Reportedly Down to Two Actors, Including Bill Skarsgård

Marvel Studios still hasn't officially revealed its new lineup of mutants, but another interesting casting rumor has surfaced that has X-Men fans talking.

If the latest report is accurate, the search for the MCU's Professor Charles Xavier may have narrowed to just two actors, and both would bring very different energy to one of Marvel's most important characters.

According to entertainment insider Jeff Sneider, Marvel is reportedly looking at Bill Skarsgård and Tom Pelphrey as the two leading candidates to take over the role of Professor X in the upcoming X-Men reboot.

Sneider shared in his latest report that he "believes" the iconic mutant leader has come down to those two actors. As always with Marvel casting rumors, nothing has been confirmed by the studio, so it's worth treating this as speculation until an official announcement is made.

Skarsgård has built a reputation for playing great characters, most famously terrifying audiences as Pennywise in the It films. He also earned widespread praise for portraying Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' 2024 gothic horror film Nosferatu.

While those performances lean toward darker material, it would certainly be interesting to see him take on the calm, intellectual presence of Charles Xavier.

Pelphrey, meanwhile, has impressed audiences across television. The Emmy-nominated actor has delivered standout performances in Guiding Light, Banshee, and Ozark, proving he has the emotional range and gravitas that the role of Professor X demands.

The Professor X rumor is only one piece of a much larger casting puzzle. Sneider also offered updates on several other characters expected to appear in the MCU's X-Men reboot.

According to him, "Charles Melton is wrapping up a deal to play Beast." He also claimed that Cailee Spaeny could ultimately land the role of Rogue.

Interestingly, Sneider says Marvel and X-Men director Jake Schreier originally had Odessa A'zion in mind for the character. However, according to his sources, Spaeny "lobbied hard for the project," eventually becoming the frontrunner.

As for Jean Grey, fans have already gotten their first look at Sadie Sink in the role thanks to her appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. On top of all that, Samara Weaving has been cast as Emma Frost in the upcoming X-Men film.

Marvel remains tight-lipped about its mutant reboot, but the casting rumors continue to paint a clearer picture of what the studio may be building. Whether Skarsgård's intensity or Pelphrey's dramatic presence ends up winning out, whoever lands Professor X will have the huge task of following in the footsteps of legendary performances while helping introduce a brand-new era of the X-Men to the MCU.

Until Marvel makes it official, fans can keep debating which actor would make the better Charles Xavier. Right now, it sounds like the race may be down to just two names.