Even More X-Men: First Class Rumors
Posted 06.15.10 by Ryan
Casting rumors surrounding Matthew Vaughn's upcoming X-Men: First Class have no end. So far, only James McAvoy is officially cast in the movie (as Professor X). But Kick-Ass actor Aaron Johnson has been the subject of rumor for the role of Cyclops; Michael Fassbender has been rumored for the role of the young Magneto; and, most recently, Rosamund Pike is rumored to be up for the role of Emma Frost. Now add Amber Heard to the list.
The Playlist reports (via Production Weekly) that 20th Century Fox has "strong interest" in Heard (Zombieland, The Stepfather) for the role of Mystique, the blue-skinned shape shifter played by Rebecca Romijn in the original X-Men trilogy. Whether this "interest" has led to an actual offer is unknown. Paramount was also reportedly "interested" in Heard to replace Megan Fox in Transformers 3 before Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley landed the role.
The report further states that Fox is indeed interested in Pike, but not for the role of Emma Frost. Instead, Fox is looking at Pike for the (highly coveted) role (not really) of Dr. Moira MacTaggert, the Scottish geneticist played by Olivia Williams in X-Men: The Last Stand. In the comic books, MacTaggert is a love interest for Professor X, at one point becoming his fiance, though the extent of their relationship in First Class is unknown because, well, the character's involvement is just a rumor so far.
Lastly, Fassbender may be out of the mix, according to The Playlist. The British actor was also reportedly up for the role of the unspecified villain in the Spider-Man reboot, and Fassbender's schedule will not allow him to do both. Either way, he'll play a villain, and, seemingly, Spider-Man's villain trumps Magneto.
With First Class heading into production later this summer, the rumors should begin to cease as official casting announcements are made.
Next Showing: X-Men: First Class opens June 3, 2011