X-Men MCU conversations have taken place between Patrick Stewart and Kevin Feige

(Image credit: Fox)

It's been a while since we've heard anything about X-Men showing up in the MCU. Until now, that is. Professor X actor Patrick Stewart has revealed he held talks with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige about those characters, including Charles Xavier.

“I met with Kevin Feige a couple of months ago and we had long, long conversations," Stewart told Digital Spy, before teasing that "there have been moves and suggestions, which include Charles Xavier."

But Feige has revealed prior to these talks that there is a five-year plan currently in place for the MCU – which doesn’t include the X-Men. Plans can, of course, change – remember the Inhumans movie? – but X-Men almost certainly isn’t in the MCU’s immediate future.

You don’t need to have telepathic skills to wonder where this is going next: will Patrick Stewart be returning as Professor X? According to the actor – who is set to reprise another of his most famous roles in Star Trek: Picard later this week – his appearance in Logan served as an appropriate end to his incarnation of the character.

Stewart said: “Here's the problem... If we had not made Logan, then yes, I would probably be ready to get into that wheelchair one more time and be Charles Xavier. But Logan changed all that.”

So, Patrick Stewart probably isn’t going to be back as Professor X but, for the first time, the X-Men showing up in the MCU suddenly feels very, very real. Isn't that exciting?

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.