TrekMovie caught up with Patrick Stewart recently to discuss all things STAR TREK, but the conversation did veer towards Stewart’s other geek-friendly franchise, X-MEN. Turns out, Stewart isn’t planning on reprising Professor X for the recently announced Bryan Singer-helmed prequel X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. While he doesn’t state exactly that he won’t be involved, he does mention that he doesn’t see a place for himself in it.

This does make sense, especially considering the new X-flick is a prequel. While Stewart doesn’t appear to actually age (seriously, dude looks the same as he did 30 years ago in DUNE), I can see where it would be a problem with him playing the younger version of Xavier. The last two times he appeared as the character (X3 and the last moments of WOLVERINE), the filmmakers attempted to “de-age” him to less-than-stellar results. It’s nice to see that he’s respectful enough of the franchise that he doesn’t want to attempt to play a younger version of himself and look like a fool in the process. Just check what Anthony Hopkins did in RED DRAGON if you need proof. Guy looked ten years older than he did in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and it was ridiculous.

My question is, why not just make an X-sequel and bring back Xavier? The age thing wouldn’t be an issue, you could bring back Wolverine and Storm and start with a new class of mutants. I don’t get Fox and their whole “reboot or prequel” obsession.

It should go without saying, however, that re-casting Xavier for a X-prequel would be a bad idea. Stewart is Xavier, hands down. It is the role he was born to play.