Theater News

James McAvoy to Star in X-Men: First Class Film

James McAvoy
(© Tristram Kenton)
James McAvoy
(© Tristram Kenton)

British stage and screen star James McAvoy will star as Charles Xavier in director Matthew Vaughn’s new film, X-Men: First Class, according to EW.com.

The film, which will open in summer 2011, chronicles the younger years of Xavier and Erik Lensherr before they became archenemies Professor X and Magneto (played respectively by Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan in earlier films). No other casting has been announced.

McAvoy’s stage credits include Three Days of Rain, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination, in addition to Breathing Corpses and Privates on Parades. His many film credits include The Last Station, The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, Becoming Jane and Starter for Ten.