- Primary Subject: Christopher Abbott’s candid reaction to his Charles Xavier casting reveal
- Key Update: Christopher Abbott reflected on the audience reaction to his casting reveal as Charles Xavier in X-Men.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: October 1, 2026
- Quick Answer: Christopher Abbott called his D23 Professor X casting reveal "a nightmare" after receiving a surprisingly muted reaction from fans who didn't recognize him.
X-Men star Christopher Abbott candidly shared his thoughts on the audience reaction to his Charles Xavier casting reveal.
During the D23 event last August, Marvel Studios finally announced the first batch of casting for the highly anticipated MCU reboot of X-Men. Abbott will be following in the footsteps of Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy as he takes on the role of Charles Xavier, a casting choice that surprised some fans online.
Christopher Abbott Reacts to His X-Men Casting Reveal
In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Christopher Abbott admitted that his appearance at D23 to announce the cast for the X-Men reboot was a "bit of a nightmare" for him.
He recalled his experience the moment he appeared on stage when his name was called and the seemingly muted response that he received from the audience.
"I think I started walking out pretty enthusiastically, and then I kind of felt like a lot of people there didn’t know who I was, so then my energy shifted within the split second. I was a little bit more humble about it," the actor shared.
"I almost did a fist pump when I walked out, and then I felt like the applause was muted. So I was like, ‘I’m just going to walk out and nod.’ It feels almost like a video game, or a dream. Not like a good dream. It’s a bit of both — a bit of a dream and a nightmare."
However, despite that, Abbott expressed his excitement about playing Charles Xavier when he discussed joining the X-Men reboot in another interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
"I did like X-Men, though, when I was a kid. I did. I really. I really was a fan," he said.
What to Expect in the X-Men MCU Reboot
So far, plot details for the X-Men MCU reboot are still under wraps, but it is expected to take place sometime after Avengers: Secret Wars.
Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is currently attached to helm the project. Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and The Bear co-showrunner Joanna Calo are writing the screenplay.
The cast includes Sadie Sink (as Jean Grey), Kit Connor (as Cyclops), Christopher Abbott (as Charles Xavier), Samara Weaving (as Emma Frost), Inde Navarrette (as Rogue), Maya Boyd (as Storm), Asa Germann (as Angel), and Adam Driver (as Nathaniel Milbury/Mister Sinister). More casting is expected to take place soon.
The film is currently slated for release in theaters on May 5, 2028. Production will begin early next year.
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