X-Men: First Class Rebooted the X-Men franchise in 2011, but over a decade later, all the actors involved have moved on to other exciting opportunities. While the MCU was steadily growing in scale to become the elite franchise it is today, Fox was trying to revive one of their most popular IPs, the X-Men. After the success of their original trilogy, it is worth revisiting Marvel’s superheroes.
All things considered, the movie did a great job of providing an alternate origin story for the unstoppable X-Men. And a big part of the success came down to the casting. The original X-Men Trilogy nailed the casting for many of the iconic heroes, however X-Men: First Class Navigated the issue in a clever way as it explored several alternate figures, and only recast two pivotal characters as younger versions of themselves. Today, the cast have all continued to excel in their field, leading to the talented people continue to impress.
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James McAvoy played Charles Xavier
James McAvoy has played villains in iconic horror films
James McAvoy became the central figure around which the entire reboot franchise was built. McAvoy is an exceptional actor whose versatility has seen him play a wide range of roles, from heroes, to villains, and everything in between. Like Charles Xavier, He delivered a convincing performance that revealed another side of the figure that would grow up to be Patrick Stewart’s version.
His ability to switch to a dark, troubling monster and back to warm, friendly figures makes them even more intense
Currently, McAvoy has entered a period where he is exploring a darker type of character as he plays roles in horror films. High-end horror, from the likes of directors like M. Night Shyamalan and James Watkins, gave him an opportunity to play the villain, and McAvoy excels in these roles. His ability to switch to a dark, troubling monster and back to warm, friendly figures makes them even more intense.
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Michael Fassbender played Erik Lensherr
Michael Fassbender has acted in a wide variety of films
Michael Fassbender was cast in the role of Erik Lensherr, alias Magneto. Once again, this proved an immensely challenging role, as his older counterpart was played by the incredible Sir Ian McKellen, but Fassbender was more than capable of bringing gravitas, depth and intensity to the character in his youth. What worked well about McAvoy and Fassbender’s versions was that they both delivered a less mature and less refined version of the people they would become, which helped connect them to their more seasoned counterparts.
Today, Fassbender continues to participate in many areas of film as he appears in smaller indie productions, viz buttonAnd the greatest Hollywood films, like these Alien Franchise. For Fassbender, no two roles look exactly the same, Although he will take inspiration and draw from his experiences to connect with different types of characters. Fassbender excels in emotional and emphatic roles where the characters have depth, and experience change and growth.
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Jennifer Lawrence played Raven
Jennifer Lawrence is pursuing more comedy roles
Jennifer Lawrence rose to fame when she starred in The Hunger Games In 2012, but she has already begun to establish herself as a capable Hollywood actor. Only a year earlier, she played the prominent role of Mystique in First classWhere she often had to undergo a full-body transformation to play the character. During this period of time, Lawrence was still finding her niche in acting, and refining her craft.
Today, Lawrence seems to have found a passion for comedy, with many of her recent films in the comedy space. Movies like No hard feelings And Don’t look up Discover two ends of the comedy spectrum where Lawrence is able to stand out. Whether it’s a simple rom-com, or a sharp satireLawrence has proven her talents in this space.
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Kevin Bacon played Sebastian Shaw
Kevin Bacon is set to star in a new drama horror series
Kevin Bacon has been a star for a long time, and when he tackled the role of Sebastian Shaw in First classHe channeled his darker side, which he has done for several films before. His villain was sleazy, selfish and power-hungry, and Bacon was more than capable of putting all that across even with the little screen time he had. However, Bacon has always been able to play various characters.
Currently, Bacon continues to appear in many different television shows and films, but one of the most exciting projects on his horizon is The bondsman. Bacon stars as Hub Halloran in this dramatic horror series as a bounty hunter who is brought back to life for another shot at life. The series is expected to land in 2025, and It looks like it will be a great showcase for Bacon’s various talents Due to the genre-bending nature of the show.
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Rose Byrne played Moira MacTaggart
Rose Byrne has taken on more voice acting roles
Rose Byrne was the love interest to Charles Xavier, and a key figure in the formation of the first X-Men team. As Moira MacTaggert, Byrne exhibited a fascination with mutants, and a desire to see them given a fair shot at using their gifts to serve a higher purpose. This meant her character was often frustrated by the team not living up to expectations, or higher ups changing the goalposts, but Byrne excelled in the role.
Today, she continues to act in television and film, with many projects in the near future, but she has also settled into a new niche for voice acting. in Blue And Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesByrne has been refining her talents for voice-based roles, and is doing an incredible job. however, She didn’t leave out live action altogether, And she recently started starring in the Apple TV+ series, PlatonicAlong with Seth Rogen.
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January Jones played Emma Frost
January Jones continues to land great roles on television
January Jones did a spectacular job playing the double-crossed seductress, Emma Frost. The character was a rival for Xavier, as she has the ability to telepathically communicate and manipulate people’s minds, as well as being able to protect herself in a psychic-proof crystal body. As much as she delivered a compelling performance in First Class, she only scratched the surface of her talents for the role.
Outside X-MenJones landed several leading roles in television series where she was able to provide much more nuance, complexity and versatility. As Betty, the long-suffering wife of Don Draper in Crazy peopleand her pivotal role as Melissa in the comedy series, The last man on earthJones has a tremendous job expanding her talents. Jones continues to play pivotal roles in both television and film.
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Nicholas Hoult played Hank McCoy
Nicholas Hoult continues to act in mainstream films
Nicholas Hoult played the soft-spoken Doctor Hank McCoy, as he transformed into the Beast. His romance with Raven, his ability to match and often exceed Xavier’s intelligence, and his personal struggles to come to terms with his change all made for a rich performance from Hoult. Now, this incredible talent is used in various significant roles in high-end Hollywood films.
Hoult is now entering the most successful period of his career to date. With leading roles in films like Renfield And The menuAnd upcoming films where he is set to have a pivotal role, viz Superman: LegacyWhere he will play Lex Luthor, and NosferatuHoult is in his prime. Hoult continues to excel and grow with each new role.
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Zoë Kravitz played Angel Salvador
Zoë Kravitz continues to act in great movies
Inside X-Men: First ClassZoë Kravitz had a supporting role that saw her initially join the X-Men, before choosing to switch sides and work with the more aggressive and frustrated mutants who wanted to take their place above humans. As an angel, she conveys sadness, pain and a desire to find her placee, which all rounded out the character in a twin way. But, once again, her career is just beginning First class.
Since then, Kravitz has appeared in many major franchises, such as these Fantastic animals Films, and Spider-Man: In the Spider-VerseWhere she tackled minor roles. Again, in recent months, she has had supporting roles in major films like Blink twiceBut before that, her biggest role and film was The Batman. Kravitz starred opposite Robert Pattinson as Selina Kyle, also Catwoman, and the pair developed a special bond in the first film. Kyle will surely return in the sequels, and Kravitz will be able to continue to show her talents.
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Caleb Landry Jones played Sean Cassidy
Caleb Landry Jones is famous in independent cult films
Caleb Landry Jones was also part of the first X-Men team. As Sean Cassidy, aka Banshee, he unveiled tremendous sonic abilities that made him a seriously powerful mutant capable of standing up to more experienced villains. He also exemplified a fun and breezy nature in the film.
today, Jones has moved on to much more serious and thought-provoking roles. Most notably, he has developed a strong connection with director Luc Besson, who directs incredible films like The fifth element, LucyAnd Nikita To name just a few. In 2023, Jones starred in Besson’s indie hit, DogmanAnd he is now set to collaborate again as he stars in the upcoming Dracula: A Love PartWhere Jones will play Dracula.
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Eddie Gathegi played Armando Munoz
Eddie Gathegi is joining the DCU
Eddie Gathegi played Armando Munoz, aka Darwin In X-Men: First Class. While he has the shortest screen time as his character is killed off before they can see any real action, Gathegi delivered a compelling performance in the time he was given. He was arguably one of the bravest members of the immature teamAlthough this led to his magazine’s demise.
He was cast as a prominent character in the critically acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Apple TV+ series, For all mankind
Since First classGathegi has been slowly building his career as he tackles more notable and prominent roles. Most recently, he was cast as a prominent character in the critically acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Apple TV+ series, For all mankind. And besides, he is set to have a big role in the upcoming Superman: Legacy Movie where he will play Mister Terrific.
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Lucas Till played Alex Summers
Lucas Till continues to land leading roles
Finally, the team is Lucas Till’s character, Alex Summers. Alex is the older brother of Scott Summers, who would go on to become Xavier’s right-hand man. However, Alex is much more reclusive and reserved, partly due to his incredibly destructive powers. As Havoc, he learned to control his abilities with Xavier’s support, and Till did a phenomenal job expanding on the character.
Till is still actively working in Hollywood with a recent successful run as the titular lead in the reboot MacGyver Series. However, since the show ended in 2021, Till continues to land opportunities in film and television. He is set to star in the upcoming film Spectrumwhich was written by one of the writers for Gen V. Like all his fellow stars, Till continues to prove his strengths outside of X-Men: First Class.