ES Q&A: James Mcavoy

In this bald-faced interview, the Scottish actor talks about what being in a superhero movie franchise has meant to him and how he would enjoy being in a spin-off with Nicholas Hoult.

- Nicholas Hoult

In Dark Phoenix, the X-Men face one of their gravest and most personal challenges to date. It’s the 1990s, and even as the team attempts to embrace a new-found heroic status and acceptance within society, their close bond is about to be shattered when Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) merges with a strange, extraterrestrial force, one that boosts her already strong abilities to previously unknown levels. Years of repression are torn asunder as Jean begins to master her new powers, even as those around her start to wonder if she’ll be a threat to the world, and a mysterious alien with an agenda (Jessica Chastain) exerts an influence.

James McAvoy returns once again to play the role of Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men. A paternal figure whose ego is inflating as his team’s reputation has grown, he’ll have the hardest time adapting to Jean’s changing powers, especially given his history repressing them. McAvoy here talks about what brought him back, working with Simon Kinberg as a director and whether he’s jealous of his colleagues’ superhero suits.

ESQ: The legacy cast is coming back. What prompted you to return?

JAMES MCAVOY: I think a combination of things. We all enjoy playing these characters—I know I do. I’ve always enjoyed being in these X-Men films. I love this company of actors. And the crew, I’ve got to say, from people like Hutch our producer, Simon our writer and now director, Josh McLaglen, our first AD/producer. There’s a massive extended family that goes back nearly 10 years that you feel very loyal to. And it’s also the character that I feel loyal to, getting to take Charles forward and do something else with him as well, it just feels right. So that’s what brought me back.

ESQ: Where do we find Charles?