Giancarlo Esposito has quickly become one of the most prolific television actors of a generation and a master of villainy on the small screen. Bursting onto the mainstream as drug kingpin, Gus Fring, on Breaking Bad. Esposito has gone on to be a part of some of the most popular series in recent memory, most notably The Mandolorian and The Boys. While he has appeared sporadically in movies over the years, Esposito has yet to have his big breakthrough in a major motion picture. As it just so happens. Marvel Studios, and it’s figurehead Kevin Feige are in search of the MCU’s Professor Charles Xavier. While we will likely see the return of the Professor in X-Men ‘97, we believe the search for the MCU Xavier should begin and end with one man. Here is why Giancarlo Esposito would make a perfect Professor X.
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Gravitas
Charles Xavier is one of the most well known, popular, and at times vital characters in Marvel Comics. He is a focal point of several high profile events throughout the comics and is sure to play a large role in the future of the MCU. While former Xavier actor, Sir Patrick Stewart, has already appeared in the MCU as a multiversal version of Professor X, it should not be expected that he will be the main leader of the X-Men for our Earth 616 MCU. With Giancarlo Esposito reportedly passing on a role in season one of Loki in hopes of landing a bigger MCU role, the marriage between the actor and Professor X seems like a very real possibility. Esposito himself has not been shy about his desire to play the bald-headed mutant.
Few actors carry the gravitas that Esposito does. He poses as an intimidating figure, one full of charisma and at times, charm. While always maintaining an heir of seriousness to his performance. Charles Xavier is a stern but fair leader of his school for mutants and as leader of the X-Men. The actor that is placed in the famed chair of Professor X should be a recognizable one, but not one whose resume will overshadow the character. Esposito has become more recognizable since his debut on Breaking Bad, while also maintaining the unfortunate position of being underutilized in Hollywood. Establishing himself as a focal point in the biggest movie franchise ever is a win-win situation for both Marvel Studios and Esposito as an actor.
A Turn to the Good Side
Giancarlo Esposito’s career has been made out of playing the bad guy in his hit roles. Whether that be Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, Moff Gideon in The Mandolorian, or Stan Edgar in The Boys, Esposito has a talented penchant for taking on the antagonist role. His acting talent is on full display in these three very different roles. He is convincing as the drug kingpin Fring, the corrupt CEO Edgar, and the Imperial Commander Gideon. This does not necessarily mean his talents can only be used when playing a villainous character; pure acting talent is talent no matter what medium it is cast into.
Playing Professor Xavier in the MCU would allow Esposito to use these same talents, this time as an iconic hero. Charles Xavier is a key part of many complex and emotional stories within Marvel Comics. Depending on what stories are chosen to be adapted to the big screen by Marvel, the actor playing Charles needs to above all else be convincing in the role. We know Esposito can lose himself in his roles, camouflaging the actor behind the mask and leaving only the character we see on our screens.
Diversity
A central theme that runs through almost every X-Men story is the diversity of humanity. The mutants are often persecuted because they are different, yet they themselves come together as a team of diverse members ranging in age, race, sex, and appearance. Stories focusing on issues of racism, antisemitism, religion, and yes, diversity. When it comes to the MCU, Marvel has shown they are not afraid in the least to change the race, sex, or ethnicity of their classic characters, and this is a trend they should continue in the years to come.
This is not to say that simply casting Esposito as Professor X checks some kind of box in Marvel Studios’ eyes or is meant to only appeal to a certain segment of their audience. Rather, the decision to cast an immensely talented actor born in Denmark to an Italian father and African-American mother, honors the traditions and themes represented by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and the dozens of other writers and artists that have helped to create the colorfully diverse world of not just the X-Men, but Marvel as a whole.
