Brief
Christopher Abbott says X‑Men casting reveal felt like a nightmare
The “Girls” star said the D23 announcement of his role as Professor X was both humbling and unsettling.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Christopher Abbott told New York Magazine that his appearance at Disney’s D23 event last month, where he was announced as the new Professor X for Marvel’s X‑Men reboot, felt "a bit of a dream and a nightmare." Abbott said he initially walked out enthusiastically, but sensed that many in the audience didn’t recognize him, causing his energy to shift.
What happened
At the D23 expo, Abbott was revealed alongside Inde Navarrette (Rogue), Maya Boyd (Storm), Adam Driver (Mr. Sinister), Sadie Sink (Jean Grey), Kit Connor (Cyclops) and Samara Weaving (Emma Frost). The film is slated for release in May 2028, marking the first X‑Men reboot since 2019’s Dark Phoenix.
What was said
Abbott said, "I think I started walking out pretty enthusiastically, and then I kind of felt like a lot of people there didn’t know who I was, so then my energy shifted within the split second," and added, "I was a little bit more humble about it." He also described the audience reaction as "muted" and compared the experience to "a video game, or a dream. Not like a good dream. It’s a bit of both — a bit of a dream and a nightmare."
How it came about
Before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Abbott starred in the Netflix miniseries East of Eden and the TV show Girls. His casting continues Marvel’s practice of bringing new talent into iconic roles, following James McAvoy’s tenure as Professor X in the 2019 Dark Phoenix film.
Key facts
- Christopher Abbott was announced as the new Professor X at Disney's D23 event. (variety.com)
- The upcoming X‑Men reboot is scheduled for release in May 2028. (variety.com)
- Abbott described the reveal as both a dream and a nightmare, noting muted applause. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “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’”
