X-Men’s supervillain Magneto almost had a crucial part in Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, according to Cosmic Circus. Sir Ian McKellen’s character was reportedly cut from the movie for fear that it would steal the spotlight from the lead.
Magneto, also known as Erik Lehnsherr, was popularly played by Sir Ian McKellen in Fox’s X-Men franchise. He first appeared in 2000’s X-Men, with his younger version portrayed by Michael Fassbender in 2011’s X-Men: First Class.
Doctor Strange 2 Reportedly Almost Featured X-Men’s Magneto
In a Twitter post, Cosmic Circus insider Alex Perez revealed that Magneto was supposedly part of the Multiverse of Madness, but he was ultimately cut off:
“He was, for a time, a part of a larger sidestory that would have ultimately taken away from the main narrative, which was first and foremost, Doctor Strange’s story.”
Marvel Studios and Disney never confirmed this rumor, and it remains a mystery if McKellen would end up joining the club. The actor, however, expressed interest in working with Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch in the future. In response to one of Olsen’s interviews, the Magneto star wrote on Facebook (via CBR):
“If I had a daughter, I’d hope she’d be like Elizabeth. A treat to be her Daddy!”
Sir Ian McKellen as Magneto
In Marvel Comics, Magneto is Scarlet Witch’s biological father, and it would have been an epic scene to witness them reunite in the movie. In the MCU, there is a vague truth concerning Scarlet Witch and her brother Quicksilver’s parentage. As revealed in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, their parents were killed during the Novi Grad Bombings in Slovakia.
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s attempt to converge the paths of X-Men and Avengers characters into one world has been successful and positively received by fans and critics. The audiences would remember that Evan Peters’ portrayal of Pietro Maximoff, which was originally featured in Fox’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, was used in Disney+’s WandaVision.
Patrick Stewart’s return as Charles Xavier/Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was another notable move from the studio. Now, it won’t be long before Marvel brings more mutants into the storyline.
Will Professor X And Magneto Reunite In The MCU?
Professor X and Magneto
One of the biggest releases of 2022, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw the Master of Mystic Arts travel across the multiverse with Scarlet Witch and Sorcerer Supreme Wong (played by Benedict Wong) in pursuit of America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez).
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Stewart teased the reunion of Professor X and Magneto in the MCU. He shared:
“I can’t say about what Charles’ future might possibly hold. Actually, it went very well. He did say something like [‘Hey, I would’ve done this!’], yes, that’s true. But we’re not done, Sir Ian and myself. We’re… we got plans.”
This subtle hint at the possible return of one of the most notable frenemies in Marvel Comics will certainly excite fans. Meanwhile, the studio is gearing up for the upcoming comeback of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Deadpool 3, another major X-Men character.
