Michael Wanted Role In X-Men
One of the more interesting stories from the recent movie industry conference, Produced By, concerns a top producer revealing that Michael Jackson had lobbied for a role in the first X-Men movie.
However, MJ didn’t want to play a mutant with an over-the-top costume or ridiculous powers. No, Michael had his heart set on playing the wheelchair-bound telepath and founder of the X-Men, Professor X, in a role that eventually went to Patrick Stewart for three movies (and is currently being played by James McAvoy in the new prequel X-Men:First Class).
Ralph Winter, producer of the X-Men movie series plus the second Fantastic Four film, told the assembled crowd that former basketball star, Shaquille O’Neal, had also wanted a role in X-Men, which came out in 2000.
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However, MJ didn’t want to play a mutant with an over-the-top costume or ridiculous powers. No, Michael had his heart set on playing the wheelchair-bound telepath and founder of the X-Men, Professor X, in a role that eventually went to Patrick Stewart for three movies (and is currently being played by James McAvoy in the new prequel X-Men:First Class).
Ralph Winter, producer of the X-Men movie series plus the second Fantastic Four film, told the assembled crowd that former basketball star, Shaquille O’Neal, had also wanted a role in X-Men, which came out in 2000.
source