Could 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' star James McAvoy give Professor X a ginger beard?

BEVERLY HILLS - James McAvoy wraps up his critically acclaimed turn in a revival of Shakespeare's classic "Macbeth" later this week in London, but there will be no rest for the weary.  The star of Danny Boyle's upcoming thriller "Trance" heads to Canada immediately after to once again play the younger incarnation of Professor Charles Xavier in "X-Men: Days of Future Past."

When we last left Prof. X at the end of the origin-building "X-Men: First Class," the mind reading mutant had tragically lost the use of his legs.  One thing missing, however, was Xavier's trademark shiny, bald head. Speaking to HitFix via satellite about "Trance" on Sunday, McAvoy sported a "ginger beard" (as he called it) for his role as Macbeth and seemed excited to return to 20th Century Fox's mutant franchise.

"I had my first costume fitting yesterday, so I do know what some of my look is going to be.  I don't want to reveal too much," McAvoy says.  "Maybe I will have a beard?  Maybe I'll show up on the first day of rehearsals and go 'Oh my god.  Professor X with a ginger beard!  It makes so much sense.'  I doubt it. I don't think that will fly."

Clearly having fun with the idea McAvoy then looks to the camera smiling and says, "I'd like to see Professor X with a bald head and a big ginger beard.  On a Harley."

The "Atonement" star revealed he'd also read the latest draft of the script and that "It's set in the '70s and I quite like that sort of style so it will be cool."

You can watch McAvoy and his scraggly beard wax about "Days of Future Past" in the video embedded at the top of this post.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" will begin shooting later this month.  It will hit theaters nationwide on July 18, 2014.
 

Gregory Ellwood
Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder

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With over a decade of experience in the movie industry, Ellwood survived working for two major studios and has written for Variety, MSN and the LA Times. A co-founder of HitFix, Ellwood spends his time relaxing hitting 3’s on the basketball court and following his beloved Clippers.