New ‘X-Men’ Actor Christopher Abbott Says Professor X Casting Reveal Was a ‘Bit of a Nightmare’ Because ‘A Lot of People Didn’t Know Who I Was’

Christopher Abbott felt a bit humbled by his reveal as Professor X at D23 last month. The “Girls” and “East of Eden” star will take on the iconic role in Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” reboot, which is set to release in May 2028. Speaking to New York Magazine in a robe at the Russian and Turkish Baths in New York City, Abbott admitted that the event was “a bit of a dream and a nightmare” for him.

Previously announced cast members include Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops and Samara Weaving as Emma Frost. It’s a bit of both — a bit of a dream and a nightmare.” Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” movie reboots the mutant team for the first time since the 2019 Fox film “Dark Phoenix.” That movie starred James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Alexandra Shipp as Storm, Evan Peters as Quicksilver and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler. Before taking on his most commercial role yet as part of the MCU, Abbott can be seen in Netflix’s “East of Eden” miniseries alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist, which premieres Thursday.