Yes,Patrick Stewartis confirmed to have arrived on the Montreal set ofX-Men: Apocalypsethis weekend. But don’t get too excited. It doesn’t look like he’ll be appearing asCharles Xavier(aka Professor X) in any capacity. Instead, it simply looks like he is visiting his old directorBryan Singer. And it sounds like the pair are joining directorJason Reitmanfor one of his legendary live script reads. No, it’s not a rendition of 2000’sX-Men. The trio will be enjoying a live reading of the Coen Brothers' classicThe Big Lebowski.
Back in January, Patrick Stewart confirmed that neither he norIan McKellenwould be reprising their roles as Professor X andMagnetoin X-Men: Apocalypse. The entirety of the film takes place in1983, the same weekendStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jediopened in theaters. There is no reason for the older versions of these characters to arrive at any point, withJames McAvoyandMichael Fassbenderportraying their younger dopplegangers.
Though, it should be noted, earlier this yearIan McKellendid tease that he will be showing up as Magneto at some point. This begs the question, is Patrick Stewart hiding something? Does he have an old Charles cameo planned? The duo did arrive in aPost-Credit scenefor 2013’sThe Wolverine, which set up the events seen inX-Men: Days of Future Past. Will we see X-Men: Apocalypse bookended by the two mutants in the future? That is entirely possible, as these films always hope to surprise.
But if it were truly a surprise, wouldBryan Singerbe so forthcoming in sharing this photo? Sure. Here, he gets a chance to say the actor is just visiting. Instead of what has happened in the past.Hugh Jackmanwas spotted on the set ofX-Men: First Class, and rumors of his cameo in that film leaked early, putting a damper on what was one of that film’s biggest and funniest surprises. Perhaps he is trying to curtail that from happening again by showing everyone that Patrick Stewart is there, and there’s nothing else that you need to speculate on. Fans being fans, of course everyone is still going to jump to the conclusion that Old Xavier will play some kind of role, no matter how small.
Patrick Stewart is not seen in any kind of costume, and it’s clear that he is not on set to shoot his role at this point in time. And in all likelihood, the actor is just there to visit with friends, and watch as his former co-starsMichael Fassbender, who is playing The Dude, andJennifer Lawrence, who is playing an undisclosed role, read aloud from theThe Big Lebowskiscreenplay. Happening at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, other festivities planned for the event include a comedy show called the Sir Patrick Stewart Gala, which also helps explain the actor’s appearance in Canada. It’s not just a strange coincidence, everybody! Take a look, do you think Patrick Stewart will have a cameo, or even a more substantial role, in X-Men: Apocalypse?
“bryanjaysingerTrying to look intensely thoughtful, @sirpatstew and #jasonreitman visiting #xmen #apocalypse #xmenapocalypse set and reminiscing about our own #daysoffuturepast. Looking forward to “jasonreitmanlivereading tonight of #biglebowski with #michaelfassbender as “The Dude!”
