Patrick Stewart Is Retiring From X-Men Movies Because ‘Logan’ Is So Damn Good
The early buzz onLoganis not only is it the best solo outing forHugh Jackmanas Wolverine (by leaps and bounds), but it’s one of the best X-Men movies ever made. Hugh Jackman was so dedicated to make this the Wolverine movie fans have wanted for years, he knew this had to be his last outing as the iconic mutant. As he’s been making the publicity rounds for the movie, he’s not even leaving the window open for a possible team up with Deadpool.
On the other end of the spectrum,Sir Patrick Stewarthas been saying that he’s not yet ready to retire from playing Professor X in theX-Menfranchise. But as the publicity tour for the movie has gone on, it appears the actor has had a change of heart. Sir Patrick Stewart announced himself that he’s retiring from theX-Menfranchise, making Logan his last turn as Charles Xavier.
Find out more about Sir Patrick Stewart retiring fromX-Menafter the jump.
Entertainment Weeklywas on hand for a SiriusXM Town Hall where Patrick Stewart was on hand withLogandirectorJames Mangoldand his co-star Hugh Jackman. It was there that the actor explained how a recent screening changed his mind about leaving the door open for future appearances as Professor X:
Since I haven’t seenLoganyet, I’m unsure if Stewart’s line about saying “au revoirto Charles Xavier” indicates that the character dies or not. Since previous interviews with Stewart promotingLoganhad him willing to reprise the role, that could indicate Professor X doesn’t die (even though things seem grim for him). At the same time, maybe Stewart was saying he would come back for a movie that would take place further back in the franchise timeline. Then again, Professor X died in theX-Menfranchise before (inX-Men: The Last Stand), but somehow lived to fight another day inX-Men: Days of Future Past, and nowLogantoo. So anything would have been possible, especially in the confusing, convolutedX-Mentimeline.
Now that Patrick Stewart has made this decision though, whether or not Professor X is alive at the end ofLoganis irrelevant. The actor is satisfied with the wayLoganturned out and he thinks it’s time to say goodbye to the character. He’s been playing Professor X just as long as Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine, albeit in one less film. That’s a long time to play the same character, and we’ve been lucky to have Sir Patrick Stewart in the role for so long. We look forward to seeing what else the actor can do with the rest of his career, especially if it includes outstanding roles like the one he had inGreen Room.
If you want to listen to the entire SiriusXM Town Hall with Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart andLogandirector James Mangold, it premieres onMarch 3at 2pm ET on Sirius XM channel 105, the same day the movie hits theaters.
